The Three "Graces": Flattery, Treachery, and Deceit in Richard III Anonymous College

In Shakespeare’s Richard III, Richard Gloucester is portrayed as a twisted, calculating, and conniving individual who will stop at nothing to obtain the crown. From betraying his brother George to wooing the widowed Lady Anne, Richard is highly unscrupulous in his pursuit for the throne. While his villainy is obvious, his careful scheming allows his plans to carry forth unnoticed, alluding to his intellectual grace. Although Richard often laments his physical ugliness and deformity, his skillful manipulation of those around him demonstrates a sensitivity towards their weaknesses, masked by his unwavering charisma. Richard successfully eliminates each of his political opponents, whether through flattery, treachery, or deceit, and eventually claims his spot on the throne; these are his Three “Graces”.

In Greek mythology, the Three Graces referred to a trio of sisters goddesses, known for being “the givers of charm and beauty” (“Grace”). As evidenced by the following passages selected from Scenes 1-3 in the first Act of Richard III, Richard hides his true intentions by feigning an innocuous, charming persona, slyly influencing those around him to further carry out his plot. The first iteration of “grace” occurs following Richard’s...