King Richard the Third

King Richard III is a historical play written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century. It tells the story of the rise and fall of Richard III the last king of the Plantagenet dynasty. The play begins with Richard IIIs brother King Edward IV on the throne. Richard who is physically deformed and bitter about his inferiority to his brothers schemes to become king himself. He manipulates and murders his way to the crown including the murder of his two young nephews in the Tower of London. As king Richards reign is marked by fear and tyranny. He faces opposition from the Lancastrian party led by the Earl of Richmond and ultimately meets his downfall in the Battle of Bosworth Field where he is killed. Throughout the play Richard is portrayed as a villainous and conniving character willing to do anything to achieve his ambitions. The play has been praised for its complex characterization powerful language and dramatic structure and has been a popular subject for adaptations and interpretations in film television and theater.