Each text is a confluence of other texts, containing parallels and fragments that provide meaning and timelessness through prevailing themes that transcend generations. Exploring the explicit and implicit connections between a pair of texts improves an individual's understanding of the ideas, values, and attitudes expressed. This alters how audiences can interpret the original text and validates common themes of power, duplicity, and morality in a contemporary light. This relationship is evident in a critical analysis of Shakespeare's 1591 landmark play, King Richard III, and Al Pacino's 1996 docudrama, Looking for Richard. The context of each text reflects the respective time periods in which they were made and clarifies the cultural issues and philosophical paradigms of humanity as a whole. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The religious paradigms that underlie society shape the texts. The purpose of the manifestation of metaphysical evil clarified through the deformity of the body is easily understood by an Elizabethan audience, due to the supernatural and religious context of the time. This personification of evil was employed by Shakespeare to portray Richard III not simply as a conniving villain, but as the embodiment of a Machiavellian character, shrouded in duplicity. “Dress up my naked evil… and I look like a saint when I mostly play the devil.” The allegorical representations force us to recognize Richard's Machiavellian qualities as he metaphorically links himself to the devil towards the end of Act 1. The themes of duplicity and moral complexity evident in King Richard III can be found in contemporary society through political figures who seek power through any means, regardless of the consequences. This indicates the modern relevance of the themes prevalent in Shakespeare's work as they timelessly transcend beyond the Elizabethan era. The issue of political manipulation, achieved through deception, is further explored by Pacino in his docudrama Looking for Richard. Al Pacino uses Looking for Richard to explicitly portray his interpretation of appearance versus reality through a contemporary medium of production, which is relevant to his audience in the 1990s. Pacino aims to educate the American people about the value of Shakespeare's work, King Richard III, and the continuing relevance of the playwright's themes. The use of documentary techniques, such as street interviews, communicates the actor's desire to intimately include the audience's opinions in his modernized interpretation of the play. Pacino conveys the power of manipulative language, skillfully employed with irony and flattery in the deception of others and the audience. This is especially evident in Lady Anne's courtship scene. Pacino underlines Lady Anne's moral weakness and strongly victimizes her character by choosing a young actress. This is further conveyed through dialogue with stichomythia and the cinematic technique of dissolving close-ups which highlight the trance-like state Lady Anne falls into when seduced by Richard. The audience is reminded of Richard's wickedness through his soliloquy in which he states, “Was ever a woman wooed with such humor? Has a woman ever been overcome by this humor? This is supported by Pacino's implementation of soft lighting to symbolize evil. The use of a docudrama makes Shakespeare's work more accessible to a modern audience and enhances an individual's understanding of the themes, values ​​and.