King Lear was first published in 1608 and is one of the numerous tragedies
written by William Shakespeare. However, it is not just any of his tragedies, the
tragedy of King Lear “stands like a colossus at the centre of Shakespeare’s
achievement as the grandest effort of imagination”, says Foakes who is the Editor
of the Arden Edition (Foakes 1997, 1). “In its social range it encompasses a whole
society, from king to beggar, and invites us to move in our imagination between a
royal palace and a hovel on a bare heath” (Foakes 1997, 1). Nevertheless,
“complications have been kept to a minimum” (Brown 2001, 229) by
Shakespeare. Still, this tragedy “is as demanding as any of the others – in some
ways, it is the most epic of them all” (Brown 2001, 229).
Between all the commotion in the plot, Lear’s story “is the one clear and
indisputable element” (Brown 2001, 229). From the beginning to the end, “Lear’s
story is presented in stark and unavoidably physical terms” (Brown 2001, 231).
The threefold dignity of a king, an old man, and a father, is
dishonored by the cruel ingratitude of his unnatural daughters; the
old king, who out of a foolish tenderness has given away
everything, is driven out into the world a homeless beggar; the
childish imbecility to which he was fast advancing changes into the
wildest insanity, and when he is rescued from the destitution to
which he was abandoned, it is too late. (Bates 1906))
In a way that was new to himself and almost unknown in the theatre
of his time, Shakespeare constantly drew attention to what his hero
undergoes in body as well as in mind, in his senses as well as in his
thoughts and feelings, achievements, and relations with other
people. (Brown 2001, 231)
In this paper I am trying to follow Lear’s state of mind and thought. The King
goes from power to madness and from royalty to peasantry. But how does he
articulate his deep thoughts and feelings through language? How can the reader
understand his change in mood? The following pages will give some insight on
these topics and will help to a better understanding of the character of King Lear.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Opening of King Lear
- 3. Approaching Madness
- 4. Lear and Suffering
- 5. The Ending of King Lear
- 6. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze King Lear's evolving state of mind and thought throughout the play, tracing his descent from power to madness and from royalty to peasantry. It explores how Shakespeare utilizes language to convey Lear's changing emotions and inner turmoil, ultimately providing a deeper understanding of the character.
- The impact of power and its loss on Lear's psyche.
- The exploration of love, loyalty, and ingratitude within family relationships.
- Shakespeare's use of language to depict madness and suffering.
- The contrast between Lear's public and private personas.
- The role of social hierarchy and its disruption in the play's narrative.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of King Lear, highlighting its significance within Shakespeare's body of work and its exploration of the king's physical and mental journey. The chapter emphasizes the play's unique focus on Lear's internal and external experiences, as Shakespeare innovatively portrays his hero's physical and emotional suffering. The chapter establishes the central question of how Lear's language reflects his changing emotional and mental states.
2. The Opening of King Lear: This chapter delves into the opening scene of King Lear, analyzing its swift establishment of the play's tragic trajectory. It discusses Lear's initial display of power and authority, contrasting it with his emotional vulnerability revealed in the love test. The chapter examines the ironic nature of Lear's demand for declarations of love and how his misunderstanding of love and his use of language (particularly the shift from "we" to "I" and the use of "thou" and "you") foreshadows his downfall. The crucial scene with Cordelia's "Nothing" and the subsequent breakdown of the expected social ritual are thoroughly examined, highlighting the dramatic shift in Lear's demeanor and language.
Keywords
King Lear, Shakespeare, tragedy, power, madness, language, love, family, ingratitude, suffering, social hierarchy, emotional instability, language analysis, dramatic irony.
King Lear Language Analysis: Frequently Asked Questions
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview for an academic analysis of Shakespeare's King Lear. It provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The focus is on analyzing how Shakespeare uses language to portray King Lear's mental and emotional decline.
What are the main objectives of the analysis?
The analysis aims to explore King Lear's evolving mental state throughout the play, tracing his descent from power to madness. It examines Shakespeare's use of language to convey Lear's changing emotions and inner turmoil, and investigates the impact of power and its loss on his psyche. Further, it explores themes of love, loyalty, ingratitude within family relationships, and the role of social hierarchy in the play's narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of power and its loss on Lear's psyche; the exploration of love, loyalty, and ingratitude within family relationships; Shakespeare's use of language to depict madness and suffering; the contrast between Lear's public and private personas; and the role of social hierarchy and its disruption in the play's narrative.
What chapters are included in the analysis?
The analysis includes chapters on the Introduction, The Opening of King Lear, Approaching Madness, Lear and Suffering, The Ending of King Lear, and a Summary chapter.
What is discussed in the "Opening of King Lear" chapter?
This chapter analyzes the opening scene, focusing on Lear's initial display of power, his vulnerability in the love test, the irony of his demand for declarations of love, and the significance of Cordelia's "Nothing" and the subsequent breakdown of social ritual. It examines how Lear's language (use of "we" vs. "I," "thou" vs. "you") foreshadows his downfall.
What is the focus of the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, highlighting the play's significance within Shakespeare's oeuvre and its unique focus on Lear's physical and mental journey. It emphasizes Shakespeare's innovative portrayal of Lear's suffering and establishes the central question of how Lear's language reflects his changing mental and emotional states.
What keywords are used to describe the analysis?
Keywords include: King Lear, Shakespeare, tragedy, power, madness, language, love, family, ingratitude, suffering, social hierarchy, emotional instability, language analysis, dramatic irony.
- Citar trabajo
- Kati Bach (Autor), 2002, King Lear: Lear's Language, Beginning vs. End of the Play, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/15315
