'Full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams': Dreams and tragedy in Shakespeare's Richard III. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fretz, Claude
• Is Part Of: Cahiers élisabéthains. Volume 92:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Shakespeare -- Richard III -- dreams -- tragedy; Shakespeare -- Richard III -- rêves -- tragédie; English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism -- Book reviews -- Periodicals; 820.9003
• DOI: 10.1177/0184767816681250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0184-7678

Abstract

This article argues that dreams are an important and deliberate part of Shakespeare's conception of tragedy in Richard III . Shakespeare, when composing this play, exploited the uncertainty in his time about whether dreams were natural or supernatural phenomena in order to deploy dream devices as a form of commentary on the material as well as spiritual implications of his characters' actions. As a result, dreams ultimately sharpen the play's focus on human agency by amplifying the characters' ambitions, crimes and guilty consciences.