Comments on the Historical Genre of Richard III Along with a Personal Reflection of the Play

To me, the way Shakespeare can make actual events in history an elaborate and unique storyline is amazing. The historical background of Richard III is quite interesting, but Shakespeare makes the emotions and actions of those people come to life in Richard III. Especially since these events took place so many years ago, it is easy for people today to misinterpret or feel bored by the list of facts of these happenings. However, Shakespeare uses Richard III to provide new information on the people during this time.
Reading about Richard III online or in books is not the same as seeing him onstage as an actual human being. While I have not seen Richard III performed, I still have a better sense of who Richard was because of the way Shakespeare makes the story revolve around him and the chaos he causes around him. Being able to envision these people in history actually talking and acting the way Shakespeare has composed them to do so in the play helps the audience to have a deeper appreciation for the times.
Because Shakespeare was able to take history and recreate it into something everyone could relive, I like this play. I also find it very intriguing how Shakespeare tells the story through the villain’s perspective, and so instead of cheering for the main character, the audience is wishing for someone to finally put an end to him. I admit that another bonus for me liking the play is how Richard is finally stopped for good. His demise is so ironic too. He can get everything he manipulated so perfectly accomplished, yet in the end he fails because of his horse, “A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!”