Richard III focuses on the power struggle at the English court. After the Wars of the Roses, with Richard of Gloucester of the House of York in the lead, Richard III plans to take power. He kills anyone who seems to get in his way. Throughout the play, there seems to be a back and forth between Richard acting as a powerful politician and playing the character of Vice. They seem to go hand in hand, although at the same time they completely contradict each other. Richard seems to harmonize the two together within himself, as he plays the role of Machiavelli and Nemesis. Although this comedy is based on history, there are many supernatural elements. This begins with Margaret's curses: "Your friends suspect traitors while you live, / And take deep traitors for your dearest friends." (I.III) He condemns Richard to mistake his friends for enemies, and therefore to kill them, like Buckingham, and his enemies for friends, as when Queen Elizabeth promised her daughter while plotting against Richard with Richmond. However, he not only curses Richard, but everyone at court. She promises Queen Elizabeth that her husband and children will die. In Act 4 S4, they all died at Richard's hands. Although he claims to be a free agent, he appears to be a function of the devil; “The slave of nature and the child of hell.” (I.III) Richard is referred to as the devil and the hellhound many times throughout the play, especially when supernatural events occur. He even compares himself to a change shaping Proteus. Even if he metes out justice, Richard is destined to die in the end, which is what Margaret cursed as she called out to God to bring him to his downfall. Unbeknownst to him, Richard eventually fulfills all the curses. He ends up killing the... paper medium..., who in turn kills him. He uses their loyalty to control them without their knowledge. Richard uses the strength method to fight here, making him a "lion" and a "fox" at the same time as he is sneaky but strong; he uses his knowledge to improve his strength and move forward. All this sets in motion his plan to take the crown. Using manipulation, he also has Hastings beheaded when he doesn't follow his will. A Machiavelli is characterized as someone who has “little regard for good faith,” which is clearly seen in Richards' actions. However, language appears to be his greatest defense, as demonstrated when the princes match his skill at wordplay and thus predict their ability to see through his plans. However, whenever he feels threatened, Richard simply uses violence to put an end to his opponents. He is not bound by morality; everything he does is in his self-interest.