Richard III (play) facts for kids

A painting by Hogarth of a famous actor from the 1700s, David Garrick, playing Richard III.

Richard III is a famous history play written by William Shakespeare. He probably wrote it around the year 1593. The play was first printed in a book in 1597.

Like Shakespeare's other history plays, Richard III tells a story about real people and events from England's past. The actual Richard III was king of England from 1483 to 1485. Shakespeare used history books from his own time to create the play. However, many modern experts believe these old histories, and Shakespeare's play, are not completely accurate. They might show a bias against King Richard.

What is Richard III About?

Richard III is special because its main character is a villain, not a hero. In the play, Shakespeare shows King Richard as a cruel ruler. He does many evil things to gain and keep power.

Richard is eventually defeated in a big battle and killed by Henry Tudor. Henry Tudor then becomes Henry VII of England, the next English king. He was the first king of the Tudor dynasty. The play also uses black comedy, which means it has dark humor. Richard often tells people he is a good person, even while he acts like a villain.

Why Was Richard III Shown as a Villain?

Shakespeare lived and wrote a long time ago, before people had modern ideas about freedom of speech or freedom of the press. The English government at that time controlled what books and plays could be published. This was called censorship.

Queen Elizabeth I of England ruled from 1558 to 1603. She was the granddaughter of Henry VII, the king who defeated Richard III. Her government saw Richard III as a bad guy and Henry VII as a hero. They would not allow any plays or books that showed a different point of view. If Shakespeare had wanted to write a play where Richard III was a hero, he would not have been allowed to.

Richard III in Movies and on Stage

Richard III is still very popular today. A famous movie version was made in 1955. Laurence Olivier directed the movie and also played the main role of Richard.

Many other movies and television shows have been made based on the play. It is also performed often in theaters around the world.

Images for kids

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  Title page of the First Quarto of The Tragedy of King Richard the third.

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  Richard III terrified by nightmarish visions. Shakespeare, Act 5, Scene 9, a painting by Nicolai Abildgaard. From the Nivaagaard Collection.

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  The first page of Richard III, printed in the Second Folio of 1632.

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  Queen Margaret: "Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!" Act 1, Scene III. The boar was Richard's personal symbol. This is a Bronze boar mount, likely worn by a supporter of Richard III.

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  David Garrick (1717–1779), as Richard III (from Shakespeare's 'Richard III'), by Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1771).

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  A poster from around 1884, advertising an American production of the play. It shows many key scenes.

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  African-American actor James Hewlett as Richard III in a production from about 1821. Below him is a line often added to the play: "Off with his head; so much for Buckingham."

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  The cast of a 2018 production of Richard III at the Abbey Theatre.

See also

In Spanish: Ricardo III (obra de teatro) para niños