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King Lear This play deals with large themes and
tragedy on a vast scale, where a pitiless storm symbolises the
suffering of the world, and the fury of the elements the
consequence of one mans waywardness.Lear divides his Kingdom
between his two worthless daughters , and brings the woes of the
world home to all who truly
love him.
Shakespeare shows how unjust actions may bring
dire consequences., the whole world may be plunged into grief by the
ill considered actions of a ruler, all things working together,
as above so below, layed out on the stage for us.
The innocent suffer the storms of the world, and weather them
with faith and unquenched spirit. Salvation comes out of the
storm as Lear is united with his loving daughter Cordelia by the
good offices of friends. Lear learns humility and the true nature of
friendship and loyalty. He gladly shares Cordelia’s sufering and death;
saying when she
asks his blessing he asks her forgiveness, and they
will live wondering at the mystery of things.
Though set in pagan times, the spirit is Christian in tone , feeling and attitudes.
Lear is fooled by the false words of Goneril; and Regan
and takes Cordelias simple profession of love and devotion, couched in
straightforward language, as insulting by comparison. He gives her
share of his kingdom to the other sisters and throws her out.The Duke
of Kent defends her and Lear ibanishes him too.
The King of France still wishes to marry Cordelia, inheritance or not, and they leave.
Lear now lives for a while with his other daughters but is
tricked and abused by them, and finally driven mad . The Earl of
Gloucester has acted similarly to Lear, disinheriting his son and
driving him out., but is blinded by Gonerils husband and banished . His
son in disguise saves him from death, and Lear and Gloucester meet the
king of France and Cordelia with an army. They are defeated and
Cordelia is hanged. Lear dies of a broken heart beside Cordelia.
The power of love and faith to overcome
evil is not always shown when this play is performed, except by very
good acting , The audience see the cruelty and horror readily enough ,
it takes skill to bring out the counterbalance.
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