The Tyrant of Richard III and MacbethIn Richard III and Macbeth Shakespeare used the main characters to reveal the typical characteristics of the tyrant such as limited foresight, mental instability, paranoia, alienation from allies, and a clearly defined evil personality. Both Richard III and Macbeth are nobles who usurp the crown through betrayal, deception, and murder. Their reign is short-lived, however, as they rule in fear and terror. This clearly defines them as tyrants, however, Shakespeare expanded on this topic and revealed the typical characteristics of the tyrant through their actions, their rise to power, and the manner in which they ruled. In the first act of Richard III, the audience sees that Richard has made an elaborate plan to become king (1.1.28-35). His plan is well thought out and looks to the future, not just the present. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, Richard describes his plan and begins to get ahead. Then he remembers the whole plan and realizes that he must execute it to succeed. "But yet I run before my horses to market. / Clarence still breathes, Edward still lives and reigns; / When they are gone, then must I count my winnings" (1.1.160-163). Through this opening act, we see that Richard demonstrates considerable foresight and even acts accordingly. But by the end of the play, this foresight is gone. Richard completely ignores Buckingham and refuses to compensate Buckingham for his help in usurping the throne (4.2.119-122). Richard does not anticipate that this action will cause Buckingham to turn against him. This lack or diminution of foresight is one of the principal characteristics of the tyrant. We see in Macbeth that foresight was a quality that Mac...... middle of paper ......mental instability, paranoia, alienation from allies, and an evil character clearly defined in the main characters of two of his most famous plays, Richard III and Macbeth. Works cited and consulted Eccles, Mark. “Richard III on stage and screen.” Richard III. New York: Signet Classic, 1988. 265-78. Hallett, Charles A. and Elaine S. Hallett. The madness of the avenger. Lincoln: U of Nebraska P, 1980. (Epigraph)Ornstein, Richard. “Richard III.” Richard III. New York: Signet Classic, 1988. 239-264.Shakespeare, William. Richard III. The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: WW Norton and Company, 1997Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: WW Norton and Company, 1997Spivack, Charlotte. The Comedy of Evil on Shakespeare's stage. London: UP Associates, 1978.