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King Lear paper 2
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IEB notes on King Lear. Achieved above 85% aggregate for English. Covers all themes and includes quotes.
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King LearLear's descent into madness
Can include appearance vs reality point
- The play displays a masterful depiction of the route to insanity of many
characters but especially Lear. (paraphrase quote given)
- The early to middle stages of Lear's deterioration form a highly rational pattern
of irrationality. His crazy behaviour makes a lot of sense because despite his age
and frailty, the King suffered so much mental and emotional weight. Combined
with his conceited personality the disrespect he encounters is foreign and not
what he thinks he deserves. Lear's worsening madness is understandable only
when looking at the intense forces acting on him and of the gradual
disappearance of everything he finds recognizable such as the respect he thinks
he should receive, or the treatment from his daughters.
- As Lear sets out from his palace toward his daughters' homes, he is still sane,
though he begins to regret disowning Cordelia' the first sign of mental stress
and the first step toward his eventual madness which is further advocated by
Goneril and Reagans treatment. ( “Who is it that can tell me who I am?” -
indicates Lear’s disbelief in people not treating him accordingly)
- Having devolved his power to his callous daughters, Lear expects to wield just
as much power as he likes over them, because he believed himself wise enough
to reason which of his daughters cared for him most, and therefore could be
trusted with his powers whilst he was still alive. A symbol of Lear's stupidity
which aids in his madness in thinking he still has power is that fact that he
wants “ A hundred knights” which soon is taken away.
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