Marla Burghardt
English 104–01
May 17, 2015
Brian Ganter
I am going to compare and contrast two characters: Frank Underwood from the Netflix television series “The House of Cards” and Richard III from the Shakespearean play.
First, I will describe the similarities between these two characters. Both Frank and Richard are particularly power hungry. Some would describe them as ambitious; however, I believe their ambition goes too far when they start killing people. Their thirst for power enables them to justify doing anything to get ahead in life.
After Frank meets with Remy (his financial backer from a multi-million dollar natural gas company named SanCorp) he then turns to the camera to say: “Such a waste of talent. He chose money over power, in this town a mistake nearly everyone makes. Money is the McMansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after ten years, power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who does not see the difference.” (Season 1,Episode 3)
Richard III is also a very power hungry man. He wants to be the King and he will stop at nothing to achieve that. He even convinces the current king that his brother is “‘G’ of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be” (Act 1, Scene 1). In the end this is what gets his brother killed and puts him one step closer to becoming king himself.
Another likeness between Frank Underwood and Richard III is that they are both very controlling. They manipulate any situation they are in to benefit themselves and make it appear as though they have done nothing wrong.
With Frank we see this over and over but in particular his treatment of Peter Russo, the congressman for Pennsylvania. Frank bails Peter out of jail when he gets arrested for drunk driving with a prostitute in his car. It is clear right away that Frank expects a favour from Peter in return. Frank calls in this debt when asks Peter not to speak at the inquiry that will shut down the ship-yard in Peter’s home district and cause 12 000 people to lose their jobs. This eats away at Peter and he starts drinking again. Along with his sobriety go his children and his girlfriend/personal assistant, Christina. Of course this is of no consequence to Frank; it only puts him in a better position to use Peter’s sobriety against him in the future (Season 1, Episodes 4&5).
Richard controls many people in order to gain his power. I believe one of the most powerful scenes is Act 3, Scene 4. This is the scene where the council is convened to determine the date of coronation. Richard sets up Hastings and turns the whole council against him by proclaiming “this is Edward’s wife, that monstrous witch, consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore. That by their witchcraft thus had marked me.” (Shakespeare, 78) He shouts that “thine is a traitor” and “off with his head”.
Both of these characters use and control the women in their lives to further themselves. Frank convinces his wife Claire that it is a bad idea for her to take money from Remy and SanCorp for her own business, CWI, the clean water inititiave. Frank convinces her that SanCorp won’t want anything from her in return but instead they’ll want a political favour from him. (Season 1, Episode 5)
Frank also “uses” a young reporter, Zoe Barnes, throughout the first season. Zoe prints what Frank wants and when he wants. Frank gives ‘select’ information to Zoe when she needs a story; he usually gets something out of this also. When Zoe starts to question Frank he threatens to end his relationship with her (Season 1, Episode 9).
Richard woos Lady Anne strictly to convince the public that he is sorry for what he has happened to her husband and father-in-law. He is so convincing that he has her stop in the street on the way to bury her husband. He convinces her that Edward killed her husband. He is using her to make it appear that if a York can forgive a Gloucester than the war is truly over and everyone can move on, furthermore Anne falling in love with Richard would convince the public that it is Edward that can’t be trusted rather than Richard (Shakespeare, 12,13).
One difference between Frank and Richard is Frank’s loyalty to his friends. Anyone watching House of Cards for the first time can see Frank stands by the people who are loyal to him. It is evident that Stamper is fiercly loyal to Frank and he does whatever Frank asks of him.
On the other hand, Richard’s friend Buckingham is killed for his loyalty. He helps Richard get the throne and the first thing he ever questions Richard on gets him sent away. “Is it thus? He repays me for my deep service with such contempt? Made I him king for this? (Shakespeare, 101)
To summarize both characters are manipulative, greedy for power and controlling. At the end of season one we see Frank get the nomination for the Vice Presidency, it appears as though he has all he ever wanted. Consequently, Richard has the throne and it is taken from him by the Yorks. In the end all he wants is “a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse” (Shakespeare,143)Richard has lost his power and it looks like Frank is about to get his power.
