Abstract Shakespeare's Richard III , like his other plays, aims to expose the flaws and shortcomings of the real world. This article adopts the perspective of Ethical Literary Criticism based on the theoretical framework developed by Chinese scholar Nie Zhenzhao to argue that Richard's ethical predicament arises from both internal and external factors within the play's ethical context. It analyses Richard's ethical identities and the motivations behind his irrational ethical choices, highlighting the potential consequences of disregarding ethical principles for individual gain. Additionally, it discusses Shakespeare's belief in human nature, exemplified through Richard's ethical consciousness and the moral emotions demonstrated by other characters. Finally, the article explores Shakespeare's ethical tendencies, emphasising his ideal of restoring sound ethical values through the portrayal of characters and plot arrangements in the play.
Cha et al. (2025) studied this question.