Richard III Lesson Plan

What connection does Richard's physical deformity have with his villainy? Is Richard an outcast who becomes a villain? What do you think his deeper motives might be?

Richard's stated motivations are probably not his only motivations, as many students will probably have surmised. Although Anne is successfully seduced by Richard in spite of his malformed appearance, it is probably precisely because of his appearance that Richard is so surprised by his success. Some students may therefore agree that Richard thinks of himself as an outsider who can't fit in with others; others may agree with this, but disagree that this is what motivates Richard; still others may disagree...