DREAMS IN SHAKESPEARE’S RICHARD III

This paper argues the use of dreams from different point of views. While forming the play Shakespeare was in a quandary over whether the dreams were supernatural or natural phenomena and reflected this to his play. Dreams in play can be read as facts that help us to comment the incidents throughout the play and they can be also analyzed as bold symbols which tells us the spiritual implications of the characters’ actions. Dreams in Richard III basically sharpen the focus of the play on human by deepening the character’s ambitions, crimes and convicted shames. Considering the tragic structure of the play, this paper will examine classical and early dream theories in order to understand how Shakespeare implied the dreams to the play on purpose and will evaluate Clarence’s, Stanley’s and Richard’s dreams as a part of supernatural beliefs and human nature and experience.

Keywords

Dreams, Shakespeare, Richard III, Theatre, Psychology