Teaching Richard III
by William Shakespeare (1597)
Why Teach Richard III?
Richard III follows a ruthless and ambitious man who stops at nothing to seize power, manipulating and eliminating all who stand in his way. Through Intelligence Amplifier™ analysis, we explore how these patterns of ambition, manipulation, and the corrupting influence of power appear in modern corporate environments, politics, and personal ambition.
This 25-chapter work explores themes of Personal Growth—topics that remain deeply relevant to students' lives today. Our Intelligence Amplifier™ analysis helps students connect these classic themes to modern situations they actually experience.
Major Themes to Explore
Manipulation
Explored in chapters: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 +2 more
Consequences
Explored in chapters: 7, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24 +1 more
Power
Explored in chapters: 2, 5, 11, 12
Betrayal
Explored in chapters: 4, 10, 11
Complicity
Explored in chapters: 14, 16, 21
Hope
Explored in chapters: 20, 22, 25
Ruthlessness
Explored in chapters: 11, 18
Justice
Explored in chapters: 19, 20
Skills Students Will Develop
Recognizing Conscious Villainy
Most dangerous people don't stumble into evil - they choose it. Richard shows us what it looks like when someone deliberately decides to abandon morality. This skill helps you identify people who've made that choice before they've done too much damage.
See in Chapter 1 →Recognizing False Vulnerability
Manipulators often use false vulnerability as a weapon. By appearing to give you power over them, they actually gain more control. This skill helps you recognize when someone is using 'honesty' and 'vulnerability' as manipulation tactics.
See in Chapter 2 →Recognizing System Manipulation
Some manipulators don't target individuals - they manipulate entire systems, creating conflicts between others while positioning themselves as necessary.
See in Chapter 3 →Recognizing Indirect Elimination
Some people eliminate obstacles indirectly, using systems and others to do their dirty work while maintaining clean hands.
See in Chapter 4 →Recognizing Strategic Positioning
Some manipulators don't act immediately - they position themselves during transitions, waiting for the right moment.
See in Chapter 5 →Recognizing False Protection
Some people use protection as a form of control. When someone positions themselves as your guardian, examine whether they're actually protecting you or controlling you.
See in Chapter 6 →Recognizing Systemic Effects
Manipulation at leadership levels affects everyone in the system.
See in Chapter 7 →Dealing with Powerlessness
Sometimes you recognize manipulation but cannot stop it. This skill helps you navigate that situation.
See in Chapter 8 →Recognizing False Protection
Some people use protection as a form of control. When someone positions themselves as your guardian, examine whether they're actually protecting you or controlling you.
See in Chapter 9 →Recognizing When Trust Is Misplaced
Past relationships don't protect you from present manipulation. When someone shows they're willing to manipulate, believe them, regardless of history.
See in Chapter 10 →Discussion Questions (54)
1. Why does Richard tell the audience his plans? How does this affect our relationship with him?
2. Is Richard's deformity a justification for his villainy, or just an excuse? What's the difference?
3. Have you ever known someone who used past injustice as permission to behave unethically? How did it play out?
4. Why does Anne accept Richard's ring? What psychological mechanisms does Richard use?
5. Is Richard's seduction of Anne more or less evil than his murders? Why?
6. Have you ever been manipulated by someone who admitted wrongdoing? How did they reframe it?
7. How does Richard manipulate multiple people simultaneously? What techniques does he use?
8. Why does Richard use intermediaries to kill Clarence? What does this reveal about his character?
9. Why does Richard pretend to reconcile? What is he waiting for?
10. How does Richard use protection as manipulation?
11. How does Richard's manipulation affect the common people?
12. Why does the queen flee? Could she have done anything else?
13. How does Richard use protection as manipulation?
14. What's the difference between genuine protection and false guardianship?
15. Why does Hastings ignore Stanley's warnings? What psychological mechanisms allow him to dismiss clear evidence of danger?
16. How does dramatic irony function in this scene? How does knowing Richard's plans affect our experience of Hastings's blindness?
17. Have you ever ignored warnings about someone because of a past relationship? What happened?
18. What's the difference between healthy trust and misplaced trust? How can you tell the difference?
19. Why does Richard execute Hastings without trial? What does this reveal about Richard's character and his view of power?
20. How does the speed of Hastings's execution function as a weapon? What message does it send to others?
+34 more questions available in individual chapters
Suggested Teaching Approach
1Before Class
Assign students to read the chapter AND our IA analysis. They arrive with the framework already understood, not confused about what happened.
2Discussion Starter
Instead of "What happened in this chapter?" ask "Where do you see this pattern in your own life?" Students connect text to lived experience.
3Modern Connections
Use our "Modern Adaptation" sections to show how classic patterns appear in today's workplace, relationships, and social dynamics.
4Assessment Ideas
Personal application essays, current events analysis, peer teaching. Assess application, not recall—AI can't help with lived experience.
Chapter-by-Chapter Resources
Chapter 1
Act I, Scene 1: The Deformed Villain's Opening
Chapter 2
Act I, Scene 2: The Seduction of Lady Anne
Chapter 3
Act I, Scene 3: The Court Intrigue Begins
Chapter 4
Act I, Scene 4: Clarence's Murder
Chapter 5
Act II, Scene 1: King Edward's Death
Chapter 6
Act II, Scene 2: The Princes' Arrival
Chapter 7
Act II, Scene 3: The Citizens' Fears
Chapter 8
Act II, Scene 4: The Queen's Flight
Chapter 9
Act III, Scene 1: Richard as Protector
Chapter 10
Act III, Scene 2: Hastings' Warning
Chapter 11
Act III, Scene 3: Hastings' Execution
Chapter 12
Act III, Scene 4: The Council Meeting
Chapter 13
Act III, Scene 5: Richard's Justification
Chapter 14
Act III, Scene 6: The Scrivener's Document
Chapter 15
Act III, Scene 7: Richard's Reluctant Acceptance
Chapter 16
Act IV, Scene 1: The Women's Lament
Chapter 17
Act IV, Scene 2: Richard's Coronation
Chapter 18
Act IV, Scene 3: The Princes' Murder
Chapter 19
Act IV, Scene 4: Richard's Downfall Begins
Chapter 20
Act IV, Scene 5: Richmond's Arrival
Ready to Transform Your Classroom?
Start with one chapter. See how students respond when they arrive with the framework instead of confusion. Then expand to more chapters as you see results.