The theatrical topology of tyranny in Richard iii

Christina Wald

pp. 39-57

in: Ina Habermann, Michelle Witen (eds), Shakespeare and space, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016

Abstract

Christina Wald argues that the political arena, the theatrical stage, and the psychic realm form a complex theatrical "topology of tyranny", where all three spaces interact self-reflexively under the auspice of performance. Richard is a supreme political actor, who thrills audiences with his reckless and brilliant performance that denies psychic interiority and a stable identity in favour of chameleonic role-play. As part of his political performance, he strategically uses space and orchestrates the movements of others, until, towards the end of the play, he is forced to explore the haunted realm of his own psyche. The topology of Richard III thus links the theatrical arena of politics to private, psychic dimensions, exposing Richard's internal drama to the audience's gaze.

Cited authors

Wald Christina