Shakespeare's Presentation of Evil in King Richard the Third, King Lear and Macbeth

Abstract

<p>In this thesis I have examined the principal ways in which Shakespeare presents evil in King Richard the Third, King Lear and Macbeth. I have devoted considerable attention to the dramatization of Richard III, Edmund, Goneril, Regan and Macbeth in an attempt to establish what their motives for evil are, how their evil deeds are accomplished, why they are perpetually involved in evil, what good comes from their evil, and how they are eventually overthrown. Since these plays end with the triumphant reaffirmation of good, I have examined how good is presented in order to stress its intrinsic attributes which allow it to subdue evil.</p>