Richard III: A Deformed King from Shakespeare to Manga

This paper focuses on Shakespeare’s 'Richard III' and its transposition in Patrick Warren’s manga version of the play. Published in 2007, this comics book is part of the Manga Shakespeare series, published by SelfMadeHero. Like all the volumes of the series, also 'Richard III' has proved to be reading tool for teenagers who are approaching the Bard and his works. Both the original play and the manga comics book are based on the description of Richard as suggested by the ancient theory of physical deformity conditioning and shaping a man’s mind, as found in Aristotle and in many other philosophers over the centuries. Penned in support to Henry VII’s propaganda to the throne, Shakespeare’s Richard is indebted to Thomas More’s description of the English king in his 'History of King Richard III'. In full agreement with his cultural tradition, Shakespeare’s Richard’s misshapen body turns to be the external evidence of his Mephistophelian nature. This devilish disposition is behind the creation of his character in the manga version of the Shakespearean play. Far from the re-evaluation of Richard’s character after the discovery of his remains in 2012, Warren’s manga comics book conveys the king’s devilish nature through images which prove to be highly significant in relation to Richard’s fame and his representations from the late 20th century. onwards. Particular attention is given to Richard’s physical appearance and to the comparison between him and Henry VII Tudor.