Module A Exploring Connections (King Richard III/

Looking for Richard)

The respective purpose of each composer helps to illustrate their
context and the pre-occupations of each. Shakespeare aims to achieve
a dramatization of the historical events that lead to the overthrow of
the York dynasty that justifies the re-establishment of the Tudor
Dynasty. Conversely, Pacinos work is instructive in nature; it aims to
both educate and entertain. Pacino states: Our main goal with this
project is to reach an audience that would not normally participate
in this kind of language and world. Looking for Richard is used as a
teaching tool; it celebrates the power of the actor and common person
to interpret and absorb Shakespeares ideas. Through inter-textual
reference of the Tempest, Pacino emphasizes the concept &
importance of the role of the actor. Similar, assistant director,
Frederick Kimball states: Actors truly are the possessors, the
proud inheritors of the understanding of Shakespeare. Therefore,
the educational aims are two-fold: to not only make Shakespeares
works accessible but to also illustrate the acting methodology.
Consequently, King Richard III & Looking for Richard are connected
through their purpose & individual context, which offer an enhanced
understanding and enrichment of each text.
The characterization of Richard is a universal feature of both texts.
Richard is evidently a key character and ultimately the crucial link
connecting King Richard III & Looking for Richard. In both he is
portrayed as a villain who draws in the audience regardless of context.
Within the Shakespearean drama, Richard is depicted as a trickster
who challenges the morals of society. This is complimented in the film
as Pacino depicts the character as an anti-hero or a modern day
gangster that has a profound need to manipulate others in order to
obtain power. Both Shakespeare & Pacino create representations of
Richards personality and appearance through distortion of the
historical character. Richard is described as fiend, the devil,
dreadful minister of Hell. The emphasis placed upon the deformed
body of Richard & his wicked nature allows viewers to come to dislike
him. These characteristics are generally maintained & a slight
amendment made between the film and the script enriches the values
and ideas contained within them. Hence, through characterization of
Richard, both texts explore the issues that affect human nature
including: the pursuit of power, corruption of morals/values,
emphasizing the idea that these issues transcend cultures and history
& they are universal therefore Shakespeares works can still be
relevant.
The language of Shakespeare connects both King Richard III &
Looking for Richard, enriching the significance of each & enabling both

to provide continuous meaning for a range of contexts. The apparently

outdated language of Shakespeare is given new life for the modern
context, enabling audiences to better understand the original text &
thus elevating the play. The film Looking for Richard, through
rehearsals of actors, cuts between scholars and random people on the
street, demonstrates the artistry and importance of Shakespeares
language. The sophisticated expression of Vanessa Redgraves
description of Shakespeares iambic pentameter: The beauty, depth,
music, passion of his words, elucidates the originality, whilst the
importance is also conveyed through the Negro man who passionately
states: We should speak like Shakespeare. Therefore the language
is given relevant significance, stimulating a fundamental aspect of the
original text. Additionally, this provides popularity for the film,
enriching its meaning as audiences understand its purpose.
The textual medium of King Richard III & Looking for Richard is a
reflection of the popular culture of the eras in which the texts were
composed. Each medium permits the composers to effectively create
and convey their representations of the characters and settings,
thereby developing their ideas and reflections of societal values.
Pacinos choice of documentary film text suggests the cultural views on
the lack of accessibility, relevance and popularity of the staged
theatrical versions of Shakespeares works. Shakespeares original
script was employing the theatrical conventions of the Renaissance
era, whilst Pacino employs post-modernistic cinematic features to
convey his representation. Pacino inter-cuts his text using a pastiche
of scenes that range from interviews with people on the street, flyon-the-wall recordings of the rehearsal process, interviews with
academics & stylized recreations of specific scenes from the play.
Hence, the use of a documentary film medium makes people think &
reflect on Shakespeare & establishes a connection with King Richard
III through making it more accessible to a contemporary audience.