The characters in Richard III are only loyal to themselves, which is why everything they do is for their own good. The supporters only remain loyal to the side of the fight that benefits them more. At the beginning of the play, Buckingham remains extremely loyal to Richard because Richard promises him the title of earl of Hereford when he becomes king. When Richard gets mad at him and does not, Radcliffe reports to Richard that, “Buckingham, backed with …show more content…
In the process of becoming king, Richard kills numerous members of his family. This creates an enemy of Elizabeth and Dorset, both of whom run to join Richmond. At the end, the ghosts of everyone he has killed haunt him and he dies the next day. Richard creates enemies before he has power, which is sets him up for failure in the future when he does becomes king. When he does have the throne Richard is extremely paranoid about losing it. His own paranoia makes him doubt everyone and drives the people that still trusted him away. He kills his servants for slightly doubting him, which decreases the number of his supporters. He may think he is protecting himself but he is really weakening his army. Richard takes his power by being manipulative but he does not fool anyone into thinking he is a good person. The people do not support him. As told by a citizen, “O, full of danger is the duke of Gloucester” (II.iii. 29). To be a leader, you need followers and Richard drives his people away. Richmond is the exact opposite. Richmond wants to be king, but does not treat other people like pawns. “Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled” (V.v 17). He pardons Richard’s soldiers and gives them a chance. Richmond respects the people and they respect him. He is a leader and does not create enemies as he goes. When Richmond takes the throne, the civil war ends and the citizens are happy. Richmond ends the cycle because he takes the throne with the citizen’s wellbeing in