NEMESIS (DIVINE RETRIBUTION) In classical mythology, Nemesis (from the Greek word * to allot”) was the patron goddess of vengeance; however, the term has several possible meanings: (1) the principle of retributive justice (sometimes referred to as "poetic justice") by which good characters are rewarded and bad characters are appropriately punished; or (2) the agent or deliverer of such justice, who exacts vengeance and meets out rewards, as in some Shakespearean tragedies. Most of the characters in Richard TET experience a pattern of nemesis or ultimate punishment for their sins, both during the play and before the action begins. The pattern leads from warnings that are ignored to eventual punishment. Clarence, Edward IV, Queen Elizabeth's relatives (Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan), Hastings, Buckingham, Lady Anne, Queen Elizabeth herself, and finally Richard himself are made aware of their crimes, and suffer punishment as a result. Either death or severe loss comes to thé representatives of both houses of Lancaster and York in much the same way that noble families were cursed and destroyed by divine plan in ancient Greek drama. Thus, Richard can be seen not only as the maker of crimes, but also as the final victim of a succession of cursed family crimes. His own actions may be seen as the final blow to the royal house of Plantagenet, which included both the Lancasters and the Yorks. THE PATTERN OF NEMESIS 1. PREDICTION OF DOOM IV. PUNISHMENT Hy IRONYRICHARD AS “VICE” Fot Shakespeace’s audience, Richard would have been reminiscent of the “Vice” character of medieval morality plays. Morality plays sought to illustrate, in an entertaining manner, the struggle between the human soul and the forces of temptation. Typically, a character called Everyman would be tempted by a host of characters with names like Lust, Greed, Sloth, and so on, The morality play was a major form of popular instruction in an age when most people were illiterate. . ‘The most popular and charismatic figure in the morality play was the figure of the Devil or, more commonly, Vice. Vice was 2 gloating trickster, a mischief-maker who employed all sorts of strategies and deceptions to get Everyman to succumb to temptation, Through his energy and fun, the Vice figure would commonly establish a close rapport with the audience. Like the medieval Vice, Richard draws the audience into his plans, making us complicit in his murderous schemes. Audience members take voyeuristic pleasure in watching his victims get justly punished and applaud the skill with which he carties out his plots. By demonstrating the deceitful actions that bring about his downfall, Richard simultanedusly attracts us toward and repels us from behaving in a similar fashion,THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE In medieval and Hlizabethan times, people believed strongly that life on earth was unpredictable, governed by forces beyond human control. The turnings of fate were often depicted as a wheel to which human beings ching. A person who succeeded in riding Fortune’s wheel to the top of its cycle might achieve wealth and status, but eventually, the ever-turning wheel would descend, bringing the same person down with it. Because it was impossible to stay atop Fortane’s wheel, people believed that the only good life was the life that came after death. The idea of the Wheel of Fortune was intended to discourage people from thinking too much about earthly glory, which was sure to disappear, and to concentrate instead on preparing for the afterlife.RICHARD AS “THE MACHIAVEL” When feudal society, with its tigid class system and time-honoured loyalties, was disintegrating and previously held convictions about morality, religion, and politics were in a state of flux, a less demanding code of ethics was demanded by many. This was given voice with the publication in 1512 of political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli's book The Prinze. His concein was to sweep away the motal code that might inhibit an ideal leader/pince. Centzal'to this was the idea that to obtain, hold, and use power, an ambitious man should employ mosal means only as long as they worked, When such theans were ineffective, he should use others. For Machiavelli, it was mote important to be “‘seen to bé moral” than to actually be so. Indeed, morality could be seen as an impediment to necessary ruthless leadership. Men, Machiavelli assumed, were naturally evil and corrupt (human natuse), and their weaknesses should be played upon to advantage. Shakespeare's Richard II is considered by many to be a superb example of ‘The Machiavel”-a term deriving from the name of Machiavelli, In cattying out his plans, Richard demonstrates many of the skills that Machiavelli talks about in The Prince, He is, above all else, a really fine actor who can adjust his looks and his talk to meet any particular situation. He is a superb manipulator of people (especially those who take his appearance for the teuth), He has a really impressive practical intelligence, being able to assess people and situations to his advantage, and he exploits people's trust, stupidity, feat, ambition, and ignorance always to his own advantage. He initiates conflict (or takes advantage of chaotic times) and then improvises his way through, using an impressive range skills to get his way.