In preparation for our upcoming production of Richard III, we here at Folger Theatre have been thinking quite a bit about that unfortunate king. Given that last week I compared Richard II to a Bonnie Raitt ballad, it only made sense this week to do something equally ridiculous, and to compare Richard III to another famous villain from literature. Without further ado, here are eleven comparisons between King Richard III and Lord Voldemort. Let us know who YOU think is the more diabolical…
1. Betrayal That Leads to Their Demise
Voldemort: Narcissa Malfoy telling him that Harry is dead
Richard III: Lord Stanley refusing to bring up his men
2. Physical Deformity
Voldemort: No nose, occasionally lacks a body and lives on the back of Professor Quirrell’s head
Richard III: Shriveled arm, hunchback
3. Henchmen
Voldemort: Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew, ect.
Richard III: Buckingham, Tyrrel, Catesby, ect.
4. Associated Animal
Voldemort: Snake
Richard III: Boar
5. Killing Curse
Voldemort: “Avada Kedavra”
Richard III: “Cancel his bond of life dear God I pray / That I may live to say the dog is dead!”
6. Best Animal Friend
Voldemort: Nagini
Richard III: Horse
7. Prophesy That Leads to Their Death
Voldemort: “Neither can live while the other survives”
Richard III: “A bard of Ireland told me once / I should not live long after I saw Richmond”
8. Nickname
Voldemort: “He Who Must Not Be Named”
Richard III: “Mis-shapen Dick”
9. What The Ghosts of Their Enemies Say
Voldemort: “You must get to the Portkey”
Richard III: “Despair and die”
10. Final Battle
Voldemort: Battle of Hogwarts (May 2, 1998)
Richard III: Battle of Bosworth Field (August 22, 1485)
11. Burial
Voldemort: Unknown. In the film, he disintegrates into a million pieces. In the book, his body is laid “in a chamber off the Hall”
Richard III: Under a car park in Leicester
Speaking of Richard III’s final resting place, the fieldwork director who discovered his body and the geneticist who identified it are coming to the Folger on February 5th to speak about their work. Join us!
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