* Power and corruption: Richard is a ruthless and ambitious man who is willing to do whatever it takes to gain power. He murders his brother, Clarence, and his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, in order to become king. Once he is king, he becomes paranoid and tyrannical, and he eventually loses the support of his followers.
* The human capacity for evil: Richard is a truly evil man. He is cruel, sadistic, and completely lacking in empathy. He takes pleasure in causing pain and suffering to others, and he is willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way.
* The consequences of unchecked ambition: Richard's ambition is his undoing. He is so focused on gaining power that he is willing to give up everything else, including his humanity. He ends up alone and friendless, and he is eventually killed by his enemies.
Subjects
* The Wars of the Roses: Richard is a key figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars that were fought between the House of York and the House of Lancaster for control of the English throne.
* The English monarchy: Richard's reign as king is a time of great turmoil and upheaval. He is unpopular with the people, and he faces a number of rebellions. He is eventually defeated by Henry Tudor, who becomes the first Tudor king of England.
* The culture of medieval England: Richard's reign is a time of great change in England. The old feudal order is beginning to break down, and a new, more modern society is emerging.