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Zack Dirmeyer

English 102

Ransdell

04/15/19

Richard, Duke of Gloucester V the State of Arizona

[ Setting: Entering the final days of an intense trial, the dimly lit ornate courtroom is

filled with press and jurors waiting anxiously at the end of their polished brown seats as the

defense team of Richard, Duke of Gloucester and the prosecuting attorney for the twenty victims

of Richard the Thirds crimes call their final witness to the stand.]

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: The prosecuting team would like to call their next witness

to the stand, clinical psychologist: Roy F. Baumeister.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Mr. Baumeister would you please tell us more about you?

Roy F. Baumeister: Of course, my name is Roy Baumeister and I am a clinical psychologist that

specializes in self-control and willpower in relation to the human interactions.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Are you familiar with the case at hand?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes, I am familiar with the case at hand. The defendant is being charged in

the homicides for nearly twenty people in his conquest for acquisition of the British throne, and

he is pleading not guilty to the charges at hand by reasons of insanity.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: So, you have previously stated that you specialized in the

psychology of self-control and will power in regards of human interaction, correct?

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Roy F. Baumeister: That is correct, my studies have shown that when a person lacks self-

control and willpower, they will untimely lack self-esteem, which in essence will provoke a

person into immoral and impulsive decisions.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Is your medical expertise applicable to the case at hand?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes, I believe my medical knowledge behind the psychology of self-control

and willpower is relevant to the case of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: At this time the prosecuting team would like to move Roy

Baumeister as an expert in psychology of self-control and willpower in the case of Richard,

Duke of Gloucester.

Judge Ransdell: Any objections? Alright, you may move forward with your questioning.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: I am bringing Mr. Baumeister exhibit 6, which has

already been previously admitted into evidence.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Have you previously seen this photograph?

Roy F. Baumeister: I have been made aware of this photograph.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Can you please describe the photograph to the

courtroom?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes, this was taken by police at the crime scene where Richard, Duke of

Gloucester was found with the heads of some of his victims placed crudely onto a stake.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Could you inform the court of your previous experience

with something as gruesome as this?

Roy F. Baumeister: While I am no expert in crime scene investigation in relation to mass

murder, I can say confidently this is a classic case of a lack of self-control and willpower.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: How so?

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Roy F. Baumeister: For starters, my research in the early 2000’s has shown that self-esteem is

perpetuated from self-control and willpower. When people report high self-control, they also r

were better equipped to receive higher GPA’s in college, fewer eating and mental disorders, and

finally better management of their emotions (Baumiester). When self-control and willpower is

absent people tend to be more susceptible to addiction, mental disorders, and a lack of regulation

of emotions.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Do you think that a lack of self-control would have

contributed to the brutality of the murders discovered?

Roy F. Baumeister: Absolutely, Like I previously said, self-control and willpower contribute to

healthier mindsets (Baumeister), and what we see here is a complete lack of compassion towards

human life, due to addiction.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: What do you believe the addiction present is?

Roy F. Baumeister: Simply stated, power. Richard the Third was hungry for the throne, and

while his actions were manipulative and gave a façade that immense self-control was present to

execute his plan to obtain the thrown, his actions show otherwise. The complete lack for human

life and his overall intentions for obtaining the throne was blinded by his addiction to power.

Every kill satisfied his thirst for power, perpetuating Richard III to continue his killing spree

until finally getting caught, rather than calculated attempts to gain the throne which would have

shown self-control and willpower.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: You seem to be insinuating morality also plays a role in

self-control and willpower, how does that affect the case at hand?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes, my research has also studied how morality feeds into self-control and

willpower of humans. Essentially, morality is a set of social norms and morality established by
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society. The core argument is that many socially problematic behaviors involve self-control

failures, whereas the majority of positive virtues are based on high and effective self-control

(Baumiester). Richard III lacks a set of moral codes that would praise his actions, so his conquest

for power was met with opposition decreasing his overall self-confidence, which in turn served

as a catalyst for his lack of self-control due to being ostracized by society.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Could this been avoidable?

Roy F. Baumeister: While no doctor can guarantee that patients with disorders and capability to

murder be “cured”, there are definitely ways virtue and societal praise could have hindered the

extent of the murders discovered. I believe virtue plays into how people not only feel about

themselves, but also how they are treated. A common virtuous trait is Fortitude, which can be

described as, “the ability to which is understood as being firm and resolute in the face of

passion, suffering, and misfortune.” (Baumeister). Recognizing that Richard the Third had low

self-esteem due to societal treatment from his deformity, had he practiced fortitude, society

would have recognized him as a natural leader due to the set moral code I have previously stated,

and would have increased his self-confidence and self-control eliminating the need to murder for

power, and actually gain respect while in power, while avoiding societal prejudice and most

importantly murder.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Do you think Richard, Duke of Gloucester was aware of

his actions?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes, I do believe Richard, Duke of Gloucester was aware of his actions. My

research has concluded that having a strong sense of self-awareness has direct correlation to self-

esteem, which stems from self-control and willpower.

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Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Could you describe to the court self-esteem in relation to

Richard, Duke of Gloucester?

Roy F. Baumeister: Yes,Self-esteem is a more flattering view of an unimproved self

(Baumeister, 2000). What we see with Richard the third is that his façade of self-awareness in his

conquest of power was hindered by his low self-esteem which is from his lack of self-control.

His failed attempt to conqueror the throne was plagued by his own insecurities which faulted him

at every move due to his lack of self-control. He was truly unfit to be king, however his lack of

self-awareness made him numb to that idea but perpetuated his actions to be solely driven by

emotion rather then a healthy sense of self-control. His fabled self-esteem that grew as he got

closer the throne diminished his self. While it appeared, he was moving forward due to his

fronting calculated murders, his lack of self-control allowed a spiral of his self-esteem ultimately

leading to his overall defeat.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: Is Richard, Duke of Gloucester worthy of an insanity plea

deal?

Roy F. Baumeister: I would need to know more about the complexity of his brain, several

factors contribute to be classified as clinically insane, however his actions do not show a total

lack of remorse. His previous testimony of his nightmares caused by his accused victims show

that subconsciously he is remorseful. Which to be classified as clinically insane, most don’t feel

any remorse for what they did, or why they did it.

Prosecuting Attorney James Brown: No further questions, thank you your honor.

[Setting: Dr. Baumeister sits on the dark cherry red witness stand as the defense attorney calmly

collects his thoughts before he begins his cross examination]

Judge Ransdell: Mr. Smith are you ready to begin your cross examination?
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Defense Attorney Smith: Yes, your honor, Dr. Baumeister does your psychological specialties

have any merit in declaring someone clinically insane?

Roy F. Baumeister: No, I am not an expert in the clinically insane, however I do have immense

knowledge in brain function in regard to self-control and willpower.

Defense Attorney Smith: Using your medical expertise how do you connect brain function to

my defendant’s case?

Roy F. Baumeister: In a study conducted in the 1990’s, glucose regulation was show to have

strong effects in motivation in self-control and human actions. Glucose is essentially the fuel of

the body that can be obtained by eating regularly and keeping a proper diet. However, when that

is disrupted people who are low in blood sugar typically tend to have poor functionality of the

cerebral cortex is causing symptoms of impaired coordination, blurred vision, amnesia, bizarre

behavior and personality change, confusion, and anxiety. (Benton, Brett, & Brain, 1987;

Donohoe & Benton, 1999a; Fairclough & Houston, 2004; D. O. Kennedy & Scholey, 2000;

Scholey, Harper, & Kennedy, 2001).

Defense Attorney Smith: Have you been made aware of my client’s diet?

Roy F. Baumeister: No, however the symptoms of bizarre and erratic behavior, personality

change and anxiety were seen by many of the witnesses who testified, such as impulsive decision

to wage war with the impending forces rather than concoct a plan which resulted in many people

losing their life.

Defense Attorney Smith: However, you have no idea his daily glucose intake?

Roy F. Baumeister: Unfortunately, I do not, so we can never know for certain the reason behind

his erratic behavior, however there is a strong chance poor glucose management could have been

a benefactor.
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Defense Attorney Smith: So how could you speak on the functionality of his brain, when you

said he was not worthy of an insanity plea deal, not knowing the accuracy of Richard, Duke of

Gloucester’s total mental state?

Roy F. Baumeister: I simply stated I would have needed more physiological information to

classify him as clinically insane; however, his actions point to a lack of self-control and

willpower which negates the possibility of insanity because he was aware of what he was doing,

he couldn’t stop because he was blinded power and glory. In a study conducted by Wylie in 1979,

college students utilized a survey questioner that ranked students’ Self Esteem. What was shown

was that students who reported high self-esteem also had high GPA’s and went to class every

day and studied for their exams. Not only did this show commitment and dedication to school,

but a high regard of self-control. Had they not gone to class or studied for their exam, they would

have reported lower self-esteem-

Defense Attorney Smith: That’s truly a remarkable study but how does that even remotely

relate to Richard, Duke of Gloucester?

Roy F. Baumeister: I was getting to that before you cut me off. Essentially, what is being said is

that theoretically self-control allows people to have a strong sense of confidence, due to them

being in control of their actions. However, in Richard’s case, his inability to control his impulses

fed into more insecurities, as seen in his actions towards the people in his inner circle. His

pettiness was his downfall, and he could not control his murderous intent to the people around

him, thus solidifying his mental state, and total lack of self-control, willpower, and finally self-

esteem.

Defense Attorney Smith: No further questions your honor.

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[Setting: The jurors leave the courtroom to deliberate the fate of Richard, Duke of Gloucester,

and re-enter after a brief meeting to inform the court of their decision]

The Jury: We the people have decided after hearing all of the evidence and the compelling

testimony by Dr. Baumeister, that Richard III was consciously aware of his actions and is not

insane, but at fault of his own greed for power, we find him guilty on all counts and would

request the death sentence.

[Setting: Judge Randsell bangs her gavel on her stand and grants the jury’s request, sentencing

Richard, Duke of Gloucester to death.]

After watching the play Richard III, I believe that the main character Richard, Duke of

Gloucester fit perfectly for my previous research of self-control and willpower. I felt as if his

character was an enigma in the sense of his actions. While they were calculated in the sense that

he obtained his seat on the throne, the execution of his actions was rather sloppy and easily able

to be traced back to him. I imagine that if he was completely in control of his actions, his reign

would have persevered rather than faulted when faced with obstacles.

Richard the Third exemplifies the exact opposite of having willpower and self-control.

Analyzing this psyche behind this character is immensely interesting due to his problems easily

able to be traced back to the characters beginnings. His deformity is the root of his problems.

When you look at society at the time of the play’s publishing, medical deformities were frowned

upon, especially in elite society. Due to society’s rejection over something that isn’t in his

control, it motivated him to essentially revenge. Richard’s pettiness that was shown throughout

the course of the play contradicts the research I conducted on the previous essay. The scene that

truly resonated with me was Richards final altercation with the Queen, in which he forces her
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daughter’s hand in marriage. It reminded me of Baumeister’s research of self-esteem in which he

said, “Self-esteem is a more flattering view of an unimproved self”. Richard’s conquest to marry

the Queen’s daughter exemplifies his final attempt to solidify his self-esteem by finally being in

total control. However, what was revealed was that Richard’s desires would never come to an

end because he was using superficial titles to fill a never-ending void. Richard has no self-esteem

and his actions perpetuated that, and unfortunately it was his downfall. He has no self-control or

willpower so unfortunately, he will never obtain true and utter self-esteem. His fate ultimately

was being treated like the monsters he resented, because in his ill attempt to seek acceptance he

turned into a hateful, discriminative, petty individual, which was everything he resented in the

royal family.

I chose to do a court room setting because when I was in high school, I participated in

mock trial, which allowed me to become more familiar with legal language. When I was writing,

I felt like it was important to include the legal language because it was creative but also realistic.

My choice of having the character being examined by the lawyers was intentional, because Roy

Baumeister was pretty much the sole provider of my research conducted last essay, and after

watching Law & Order, where a clinical psychologist was giving his expert opinion on a murder

case, I felt like this would be perfect. Roy Baumeister is an expert on willpower and self-esteem

so it is only logical that he would be the expert needed to discuss how Richard III is in regards to

his research.
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References

Baumeister, R.F. , Bratslavsky, E. , Muraven, M. , & Tice, D.M. (1998). Self-control depletion:

Is the active self a limited resource? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74,

1252-1265.

Baumeister,Ego Depletion and Self-Control Failure (2002): An Energy Model of the Self's

Executive Function, Self and Identity, 1:2, 129-136, DOI: 10.1080/152988602317319302

Baumeister, Roy F., and Julie Juola Exline. “Virtue, Personality, and Social Relations: Self‐

Control as the Moral Muscle.” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Wiley-

Blackwell, 25 Dec. 2001, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-6494.00086.

Baumeister, R.F. , Schmeichel, B.J. , & Vohs, K.D. (in press). Self-regulation. In E. T. Higgins

& A. W. Kruglanski (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles.

Benton, D. (1990). The impact of increasing blood glucose on psychological functioning.

Biological Psychology, 30, 13-19

Benton, D. , Brett, V. , & Brain, P.F. (1987). Glucose improves attention and reaction to

frustration in children. Biological Psychology, 24, 95-100.

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