Richard III

Okay, to continue analyzing characters, I would like to take a look at Richard III and what might have motivated him.  Richard strongly disapproved of the way his brother, King Edward IV, has been carrying on.  Edward IV was very much a ladies man, and he married a woman from a lower family instead of his original betrothed, who was more of his station.  Richard loathed Queen Elizabeth and her family, rightly feeling that they were using Elizabeth's new status to force their way into court.  Since Edward IV's son and heir, Edward V, was still fairly young, Richard had been made regent until he came of age.  Unfortunately, Richard would not have been able to stop Edward V's mother and uncles from influencing the boy, especially after he was old enough to rule on his own.  This makes Richard's actions seem a little less villainous.