In William Shakespeare's Richard III, the protagonist and the central villain are one and the same, a power-hungry individual whose unrelenting ambition and lack of morality are a lethal combination for anyone who stands between the tyrant and his crown. Arguably one of the most unscrupulous and vile characters in Shakespeare's works, Richard III is seen throughout the play committing despicable acts, from easily lying to set his machinations in motion to planning the murders of his relatives. The fact that Richard carries out his plans without the slightest itch of remorse is what truly completes his loathsome personality. The only time the audience finds some humanity and remorse in Richard is in the final act of the play, when the man is frightened by a dream he has had. It is through this midnight vision in V.iii.176-205 that Richard first experiences internal conflict and uncertainty regarding his actions. Although he expresses concern for his heinous crimes, Richard ultimately fails to feel sympathy and redemption as he is solely concerned with himself and not his victims throughout the soliloquy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Richard's remorseful soliloquy is precipitated by a nightmare that visits him before his battle with Richmond. The cause of Richard's self-searching is important as it shows why he suddenly feels the need to consider his actions when the show is almost over. Fear is the predominant factor that forces Richard to reflect on himself. He blames his “cowardly conscience” (V.iii.178) for haunting his dreams and frightening him in the dead of night. Richard wonders the cause of his trepidation: “Cold and fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. / What do I fear?...” (V.iii.180-181). At the end of his soliloquy, the audience learns that Richard dreamed that the ghosts of each of his victims promised revenge on him in the coming battle. True guilt or remorse are not the reasons Richard is awakened at night to consider his character and actions. Rather, fearing for his life, Richard searches for a reason why he should be worried and stumbles upon the truth of his evil ways. Proof of his narcissism and lack of compassion for others, it is not the moral consequences of the murders he commits, but a nightmare in which his victims threaten his life that gives rise to Richard's doubts. It's not until halfway through the final act. of the work that Richard begins to reflect on himself and actually consider his own character. Up to this point, Richard has carried out many evil plots, including the murder of his two young nephews, without the slightest regret. After being awakened from a frightening dream, Richard wonders if perhaps he is afraid of himself, but quickly dismisses this possibility, because "Richard loves Richard" (V.iii.182). By phrasing this statement of self-worth in this way, and following it with the clarification “…that is, I and I” (V.iii.182), Richard displays a complicated view of himself that is divided and somewhat conflicted. Richard continues with this portrayal of himself as a divided person in the next lines. As Richard continues to extrapolate his logical evaluation of himself, it becomes even clearer that he possesses a conflicted self-image. He says: Alas, I love myself. Why? For the good that I myself have done for myself? Oh no, alas, I prefer to hate myself for the hateful actions committed by myself. (V.iii.186-189)Here Richard proceeds with his scheme of rebounding from a vision of himself.