Act 1 Scene 1 Most of the main characters are introduced here in the first scene – the characters of the main plot and two of the three characters of the sub-plot, however Edgar is absent. Some of the characters traits are subtly shown also, for example Gloucester betrays the fact that his illegitimate son [...]
Posts Tagged ‘King Lear’
7 Jun
King Lear – Motifs & Symbols
Motifs Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. Insanity Insanity is central to the play and is associated with both disorder and hidden wisdom. The Fool, who offers Lear insight early on in the play, offers his counsel in what seems to be [...]
7 Jun
King Lear Themes
Themes are the fundamental and universal ideas explored in a text. Nature The events of the play underline Shakespeare’s obsession with the theme of nature in this play. Lear disowns one loving and loyal daughter in favour of two who will turn savagely on him. Gloucester calls Edmund a ‘loyal and natural boy’ and disowns [...]
24 Mar
King Lear Character Analysis: Cordelia
Cordelia Compared with her sisters, Cordelia comes off as saint – she is one of the only genuinely principled characters in the play. But she does inherit some of her father’s traits – she inherited his pride and, like her father, she can be unyielding. She responds to his pride with her pride at the [...]
11 Mar
King Lear Characters Analysis: Edmund
Edmund The big thing to know about Edmund is that, as Shakespeare repeatedly says, he’s “a bastard.” Not only was he born out of wedlock, but he also acts like a jerk from the beginning of the play to the end. He has his own point of view (distinctive from everyone else in the play), [...]
24 Feb
King Lear Character Analysis: Lear
King Lear Lear, the King of Britain, is a powerful and important man. But he’s getting near retirement age. Lear thinks he can hand over the hard work of ruling the kingdom to his children and relax. He wants to enjoy the power of still being king without any of the responsibility. His main flaw [...]
24 Feb
King Lear At a Glance
What’s it all about? King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare written at some point between 1603 and 1606. The play’s action centres around an ageing king who decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, two of whom turn out to be mean, greedy ladies. For the past several decades, King Lear [...]
Damien Gallagher
