King Lear had many flaws which included being proud, gullible, and quick tempered. These tragic flaws all played a pivotal role in his demise. They led to his demise by causing him to give up his power and wealth, and to banish those loyal to him.
During the division of his kingdom, Lear shares out each of his daughter's portion according to how well they flattered him. The need for flattery is the first sign of his pride. His gullibility is shown when he believes Regan and Goneril's false praises, and his temper is seen when he banishes Kent for sticking up for Cordelia.
These characteristics can be seen as tragic flaws becauses they all had negative impacts. After dividing the kingdom between Goneril and Regan, Lear had no power left and was ill treated by both daughters, eventually being turned out during a storm. Thus his plan of giving up the kingdom to the daughters who loved him most backfired because, by letting his flaws overpower him, he banished the loyal daughter and rewarded the manipulative ones.
Also, his flaws caused the deaths of himself and his favourite daughter, Cordelia. By Lear relieving himself of all his powers, Edmund was able to take advantage of this and order that Lear and Cordelia be arrested.
In conclusion it can be seen that Lear's tragic flaws led not only to his demise but to Cordelia's as well. His gullibility led to him trusting Regan and Goneril. His pride and temper prevented him from listening to Cordelia's reasoning.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Comparisons and contrasts within King Lear
Comparisons
Kent and Edgar
They are similar because even though they were both banished, Kent remains loyal to Lear and Edgar remains loyal to Gloucester. They are also both smart and creative in using disguises as a way to remain in the kingdom without being found.
Kent and Cordelia
They are both honest and loyal to Lear. They were also proud preferring to be banished than 'suck up' or tell the king just what he wants to hear. Later, they both care for Lear while his mental state was deteriorating.
King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester
Both of these men can be seen to be blind. Lear is blinded by the flattering words of Goneril and Regan while Gloucester is blinded by Edmund's lies. This shows that both were very gullible, being easily fooled by their wicked children. Also, both realize the truth when it is too late. Gloucester discovers Edmunds treachery only after he becomes physically blind and Lear realizes that Cordelia was truly his loyal daughter only after he goes completely mad.
Goneril, Regan, and Edmund
They were all quite manipulative and schemed to get their fathers' wealth. Edmund framed his brother Edgar and had him banished in order to gain his fathers' title as Earl. Regan and Goneril both used flattery during Lear's test of love in order to receive large portions of the kingdom. Additionally, all three ill treated their fathers. Goneril and Regan locked Lear out of Gloucester's castle during a storm and Edmund allowed his fathers eyes to be plucked out.
Also, Goneril and Regan both cheated on their husbands with Edmund.
Contrasts
Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Albany
Cornwall encouraged the ill treatment of Lear while Albany discouraged it. Also, Cornwall was against the French invasion while Albany was for it.
Cordelia and her two sisters
Unlike Goneril and Regan, Cordelia truly cared for her father and was not just interested in his wealth. This is seen in act 1 scene 1 when she says to Lear that if her sisters loved him with all their hearts they would not have husbands. Here she is trying to make Lear see through their flattery but instead she is perceived as being rude and subsequently is banished. Also, later in the play Goneril and Regan turn on their father while Cordelia cares for him.
King of France and Duke of Burgundy
Burgundy was shallow, only being interested in Cordelia in order to receive her dowry while France was interested in Cordelia because he truly admired her as a person. This is seen when Burgundy refuses to marry Cordelia after Lear disowned her and by France's kind words and acceptance to marry her.
Kent and Edgar
They are similar because even though they were both banished, Kent remains loyal to Lear and Edgar remains loyal to Gloucester. They are also both smart and creative in using disguises as a way to remain in the kingdom without being found.
Kent and Cordelia
They are both honest and loyal to Lear. They were also proud preferring to be banished than 'suck up' or tell the king just what he wants to hear. Later, they both care for Lear while his mental state was deteriorating.
King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester
Both of these men can be seen to be blind. Lear is blinded by the flattering words of Goneril and Regan while Gloucester is blinded by Edmund's lies. This shows that both were very gullible, being easily fooled by their wicked children. Also, both realize the truth when it is too late. Gloucester discovers Edmunds treachery only after he becomes physically blind and Lear realizes that Cordelia was truly his loyal daughter only after he goes completely mad.
Goneril, Regan, and Edmund
They were all quite manipulative and schemed to get their fathers' wealth. Edmund framed his brother Edgar and had him banished in order to gain his fathers' title as Earl. Regan and Goneril both used flattery during Lear's test of love in order to receive large portions of the kingdom. Additionally, all three ill treated their fathers. Goneril and Regan locked Lear out of Gloucester's castle during a storm and Edmund allowed his fathers eyes to be plucked out.
Also, Goneril and Regan both cheated on their husbands with Edmund.
Contrasts
Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Albany
Cornwall encouraged the ill treatment of Lear while Albany discouraged it. Also, Cornwall was against the French invasion while Albany was for it.
Cordelia and her two sisters
Unlike Goneril and Regan, Cordelia truly cared for her father and was not just interested in his wealth. This is seen in act 1 scene 1 when she says to Lear that if her sisters loved him with all their hearts they would not have husbands. Here she is trying to make Lear see through their flattery but instead she is perceived as being rude and subsequently is banished. Also, later in the play Goneril and Regan turn on their father while Cordelia cares for him.
King of France and Duke of Burgundy
Burgundy was shallow, only being interested in Cordelia in order to receive her dowry while France was interested in Cordelia because he truly admired her as a person. This is seen when Burgundy refuses to marry Cordelia after Lear disowned her and by France's kind words and acceptance to marry her.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The fool's speeches in act 2 scene 4
In act 2 scene 4, the fool makes various mocking speeches. These speeches critisize both Kent and the king for acting foolishly.
In the beginning of the scene, the fool makes fun of Kent for being put in the stocks. He later says, " let go thy hold, when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following." Here the fool warns Kent to not follow the kings' behaviour because the king acts foolishly.
The fool also reminds the king of his irrational choice to give up all his power and wealth. " Fathers that wear rags, Do make their children blind, But fathers that bear bags, Shall see their children kind." He means that now Lear has given up all his power to Goneril and Regan they no longer have to pretend to love or care for him. This was an important statement for it is the start of Lear's realization of the mistake he made.
The fool then tells Lear to " cry to it nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels". This means that just like the housewife who realized too late that the eels were alive, Lear has realized his mistake too late because there is nothing he can do about it now.
In the beginning of the scene, the fool makes fun of Kent for being put in the stocks. He later says, " let go thy hold, when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following." Here the fool warns Kent to not follow the kings' behaviour because the king acts foolishly.
The fool also reminds the king of his irrational choice to give up all his power and wealth. " Fathers that wear rags, Do make their children blind, But fathers that bear bags, Shall see their children kind." He means that now Lear has given up all his power to Goneril and Regan they no longer have to pretend to love or care for him. This was an important statement for it is the start of Lear's realization of the mistake he made.
The fool then tells Lear to " cry to it nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels". This means that just like the housewife who realized too late that the eels were alive, Lear has realized his mistake too late because there is nothing he can do about it now.
The fool is the most foolish character in the play King Lear
The fool is the most foolish character in the play King Lear. I disagree with this statement. A fool is a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman, while being foolish means to be devoid of good sense or judgement. Though the fool was employed to entertain the king by being a clown, he was however not foolish. In contrast, the fool can be seen to be the most wise character in the play.
Because of his position as a jester, the fool is able to observe the situations at court and comment freely. In act 1 scene 4 the fool chastises the king for giving up his kingdom and banishing Cordelia. He also says that the king has made his daughters his mother, meaning that the king has given away all his power and now depends upon his two daughters. Not only can the fool comment on these events but he can also critisize the king. The fool said to the king that he should take his coxcomb, meaning that the king should wear a fool's cap. Being a court jester, the fool can get away with such comments. Thus the fool was smart for using his position as an excuse for telling the king harsh truths which the king might not otherwise listen to.
Also, the fool seems to be the only charachter who is aware of what is truly happening in the play. This is seen when he tries to warn Lear about his daughters, when he makes fun of Kent for acting as foolishly as Lear, and when he phrophecies that there will soon be confusion in England.
In conclusion, it can be said that the fool is the most wise character in the play because he is the voice of reason for Lear, he seems to know about upcoming conflicts, and he recognizes foolish decisions made by the characters.
Because of his position as a jester, the fool is able to observe the situations at court and comment freely. In act 1 scene 4 the fool chastises the king for giving up his kingdom and banishing Cordelia. He also says that the king has made his daughters his mother, meaning that the king has given away all his power and now depends upon his two daughters. Not only can the fool comment on these events but he can also critisize the king. The fool said to the king that he should take his coxcomb, meaning that the king should wear a fool's cap. Being a court jester, the fool can get away with such comments. Thus the fool was smart for using his position as an excuse for telling the king harsh truths which the king might not otherwise listen to.
Also, the fool seems to be the only charachter who is aware of what is truly happening in the play. This is seen when he tries to warn Lear about his daughters, when he makes fun of Kent for acting as foolishly as Lear, and when he phrophecies that there will soon be confusion in England.
In conclusion, it can be said that the fool is the most wise character in the play because he is the voice of reason for Lear, he seems to know about upcoming conflicts, and he recognizes foolish decisions made by the characters.
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