Sounds like the title of a South African political discussion, doesn’t it? These opening lines from Richard III, together with the fact that the play is being staged at Maynardville open-air theatre this year, made me consider whether Richard III would be a suitable title to study in Grade 12.
For those of you who, like me, have never taught the play, here are a few pointers:
- It is one of Shakespeare’s earlier ‘history’ plays and is one of his longest plays. The length could well be a reason why it isn’t (often) prescribed at school level.
- The director of the Maynardville production, Lara Bye, says that the play resonates with themes relevant to our country: Qualities of good leadership, sacrifice, corruption, factions and greed. “Audiences are endlessly fascinated and repulsed and charmed by the Richard character”.
- Richard III is the story of a brutal soldier who is scorned by those he put in power. How interesting it would be to see what makes him tick.
- In a review of the production in The Daily Maverick, Marianne Thamm compares the play to a series such as The Sopranos or Dexter – a feature which would certainly appeal to most of our youth.
- For me, the lure of teaching this play lies in the character of Richard, who is a villain, a psychopath and murderer, and yet his personality, humour and cunning draws the audience closer to him. “… Shakespeare’s genius is that he knows the entire world loves a villain, especially one as charming and silver-tongued as this one. So sure is Shakespeare that Richard III (in spite of his misshapen body) will beguile us that he has him talking to us, confiding to us directly like an old friend in asides.” (The Daily Maverick).
Let me hear from you if you taught or studied Richard III? Is it suitable for Grade 12?
MacMo