Good Afternoon , My name is Navera Asghar.

When I was thinking of final piece idea, Jack challenged me to think of something
I was passionate about but also something I was struggling with; so I thought to
myself what do I love and what is it that, just the thought of, makes me want to
throw up? All road lead to performing Shakespeare.

That is why today I will talk to you about why Richard III is one of the most
dynamic anti hero ever created. I will do this by explaining why I like the
character so much, talking a little about his actions throughout the play and then
reciting one of his monologues which I believe most effectively demonstrate his
unravelling as a character and truly makes him likeable as a villain.

I was strange enough to LOVE Shakespeare in high school and my favorite

character by far is Richard III. Richard III is an anti hero; that is hes the
protagonist or hero of the play but he is also the villain.
Richard III was a man that was not lucky; he was ugly. He had a hunchback and a
limp. In the opening scene of the play he talks declares himself a villain and says
that he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants which in true
Shakespearean fashion; is the throne.

The idea in that time was that your outward appearance was indicative of your
personality and this holds true for Richard; he prides himself on being
manipulative and full of guile.
Using his clever and cunning speech he convinces a grieving widow to marry him
at her husbands funeral. He is absolutely relentless in his attempts to reach his
goal and even went as far as killing children just because they stood in the way of
him having the crown.

One of the reasons I think he is a superb anti hero is despite all his despicable
actions and thoughts, I couldnt help but root for him. He uses whatever he has in
his arsenal; his wits, intelligence and his effective language and speech - to get
what he wants. He also makes no excuses for his evil actions, however in the latter
half of the play you begin to see how him realize the gravity his own actions and it
starts to weigh on him. I wanted to recite one of my favorite monologues; this is
Richard speaking to himself after a nightmare he has on the night before a huge
battle. In this dream, the ghosts of everyone whom he has murdered comes to
haunt him.

So without further ado, here is Richard III Act 5, scene 5

Give me another horse: bind up my wounds.

Have mercy, Jesu!Soft! I did but dream.
O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!
The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.

What do I fear? myself? there's none else by:

Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I.
Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am:
Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:

Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?

Alack. I love myself. Wherefore? for any good

That I myself have done unto myself?
O, no! alas, I rather hate myself
For hateful deeds committed by myself!

I am a villain: yet I lie. I am not.

Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.

My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,

And every tongue brings in a several tale,
And every tale condemns me for a villain.

Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree

Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree;
All several sins, all used in each degree,
Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty!

I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;

And if I die, no soul shall pity me:

Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself?

Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd

Came to my tent; and every one did threat
To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.