In William Shakespeare's Richard III, the protagonist and central villain are one and the same, a power-hungry individual whose relentless ambition and lack of morality constitute a a deadly combination for anyone who stands between the tyrant and his crown. Arguably one of the most unscrupulous and dastardly characters in Shakespeare's works, Richard III is seen throughout the play committing despicable acts, ranging from lying easily to carry out his machinations to planning murders of his loved ones. The fact that Richard carries out his plans without the slightest remorse is what truly completes his loathsome character. The only time the audience finds some humanity and regret in Richard is in the final act of the play, when the man is frightened by a dream he has. It is through this midnight vision in V.iii.176-205 that Richard first experiences internal conflict and uncertainty about his actions. Although he expresses concern over his heinous crimes, Richard ultimately fails to demonstrate sympathy and redemption as he only cares about himself and not his victims throughout the soliloquy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Richard's remorseful monologue is precipitated by a nightmare that visits him before his battle with Richmond. The reason for Richard's introspection is important because it shows why he suddenly feels the need to think about his actions when the play is almost over. Fear is the primary factor that forces Richard to reflect on himself. He blames his “cowardly conscience” (V.iii.178) for haunting his dreams and scaring him in the middle of the night. Richard wonders about the cause of his worry: “Cold, frightening drops stand on my trembling flesh. / What am I afraid of?..." (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 him revenge in the coming battle. True guilt or regret are not the reasons Richard is awake at night to reflect on his character and actions. Fearing for his own life, Richard searches for a reason why he should worry and discovers the truth about his evil ways. Proof of his narcissism and his 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 which makes Richard doubt. It's only halfway through the final act. of the play that Richard begins to reflect on himself and really consider his own character. Until now, Richard has carried out many dastardly plots, including the murder of his two young nephews, without a trace of regret. After being awakened by a frightening dream, Richard wonders if perhaps he is afraid of himself but quickly dismisses the possibility, because "Richard loves Richard" (V.iii.182). By formulating this assertion of self-esteem in this way, and following it with the clarification “…that is, I and I” (V.iii.182), Richard shows a complex view of himself , divided and somewhat conflicting. Richard continues with this depiction of himself as a divided person in the following lines. As Richard continues to extrapolate his logical assessment of himself, it becomes even clearer that he possesses a conflicted self-image. He says: Alas, I love myself. For what? For the good I have done to myself? Oh no, alas, I rather hate myself for the hateful acts committed by myself. (V.iii.186-189) Here,.