Anne's Loyalty In Richard III

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In Richard III, Anne is a fierce competitor to Richard as she grieves for her fallen father-in-law and husband. Richard’s excellent ability to skew situations and entice others helps him successfully woo Anne over, even in the wake of death. Both parties use tactics to either win over the other or distance themselves. It’s a difficult battle for both, as they are almost evenly matched in their arguing abilities. Anne’s impeccable strength puts up a fair fight against Richard’s strong political skills that he puts to use in social situations. During the first act of Richard III, the audience is introduced to a villainous character—one who even claims himself to be particularly evil. Richard’s political persuasiveness and abilities are noticed …show more content…
Unfazed, Richard agrees that he belongs in Hell, but also one other place—Anne’s bed. Anne refuses to believe that there would be any comfort sleeping with such an evil man. Richard doesn’t give up, though, he continues to slather on the charm shifting the focus to say ‘don’t knock it ‘til you try it”. Richard’s flattery and charm are seemingly endless, along with his confidence. After taking a proverbial beating of insults from Anne, he is still confident enough to believe he can win her over. Uses her grief towards her dead husband and father-in-law, Richard convinces Anne that she is the reason those two men in her life are dead—because of her beauty. At this point, Richard can be seen as the King of Flattery and Acting, rather than the actual King of England. Anne is still not swayed until much later in the scene, as seen by the fact that she continues to call him names and even spits on him at one point after he suggests that he loves her more than her previous husband. Richard’s unrelenting charm and flattery seem to weaken Anne’s defenses and hatred because she is unable to kill him when he gives her the chance to. Richard is smart in this maneuver because he must know that she isn’t able to kill him, by playing to her

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