Richard III, an early Shakespeare work, and Coriolanus, a later work, examine a still timely concern: the strongman ruler, one who breaks things and moves fast, cares only about his own goals, and feels responsible only to himself. How does such an inappropriate egoist attain and hold power? Do the concerned silence and tacit complicity of bystanders enable, even normalize his rule-breaking? What can these autocrats’ mothers tell us about the holes in their boys’ psyches? Richard wants to explain it all to us at length; Coriolanus will have none of it. Great Shakespearean actors, including Laurence Olivier, Ian McKellen, and Benedict Cumberbatch, have played both dark, violent leaders. Please use Folger Shakespeare Library's paperback editions of Richard III (2018) and Coriolanus (2020). Videos of modern performances will be provided, including Ralph Fiennes and Tom Hiddleston as Coriolanus.
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