Light and Darkness in King Richard III

Abstract

To the York it is the glorious day of victory. The past discontent and dark shadows are represented by the image of winter. The dark, sombre winter is gone, and the sun of summer shines on everything. The image of the sun is that of splendid glory to which Shakespeare gave force and dignity. The ideal kingship, filled with life and ecstasy like the shining summer sun, ought to bring peace. On this day of glorious victory, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, stares at his ugly figure. Richard, cursing his own shadow in the sun, burns with ambition and hatred. He betrays himself, "I am determined to prove a villain." The images of winter and summer, the sun and the shadow reveal themselves in contrast. The images of light and darkness in contrast may be said to be the key to Shakespeare's imagery. Here the floating image developing in pairs are comparatively simple. The sombre winter and the bright summer sun, but this image of the sun soon flows to the images of the shadow and the cloud, and by and by ends in the image of blood.