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Summary A2 Unit 1 King Lear notes Act 2
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Analysis notes for Act 2 of King Lear
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King LearAct 2 Scene 1
- The tension between the two sisters foreshadows the eventual failure of power-sharing,
“the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his Duchess will be here with him this night.” By
establishing the situation, Shakespeare builds dramatic tension as he shows the parallel
ingratitude of Regan. However, because of the premature arrival of Lear, Regan asserts her
authority be ensuring she was not home when he came. The parallel cruelty of Regan and
Goneril emphasises the error of judgement.
- The implications of subterfuge / rumour “Have you heard of no likely wars toward, ‘twixt the
Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?” evokes the upset in the natural order, which stems from
Lear’s error of judgement
- Edmund’s unnatural behaviour, “I must draw my sword upon you” may be the result of his
illegitimate birth
- The image of self-mutilation, “Some blood drawn on me” emphasises Edmund’s unnatural
action. Edmund is a stock villainous figure
- The purpose of this scene is to parallel Gloucester with Lear. Gloucester’s exaggerated
gullibility suggests that he is an exaggerated reflection of Lear. The immediacy of
Gloucester’s reaction, “Now Edmund, where’s the villain?” emphasises his gullibility
- Edmund ironically references the gods despite his earlier mocking, “I told him the revenging
Gods/ Gainst parricides did all the thunder bend” . Edmund references the gods for his own
Machiavellian purposes
- The structural dovetailing, “Enter Cornwall, Regan and Attendants” creates parallels
between the scheming of Edmund and the scheming in the Lear household
- The poignant use of repetition and images of cracking, “O madam, my old heart is crack’d, its
crack’d” emphasises the disorder and perepetia of both Lear and Gloucester
- The questions, “He whom my father nam’d your Edgar?” creates dramatic irony as Regan
affects concern. She will eventually be part of Gloucester’s blinding and will show no
affection for Learn (hypocrisy / duplicity)
- The use of questions, “Was he not companion with the riotous knights?” verbally echoes
Goneril’s criticisms. (foreshadowing) The sense of growing isolation increases sympathy for
Lear. The pathos emphasises the tragic emotions
- Regan dominates the scene. The man-like dominance of the two sisters subverts the
traditional view of womanhood and suggests the overthrowing of natural order
, - Gloucester ironically praises Edmund for showing love and loyalty, “He did bewray his
practice and reciev’d / This hurt you see” . This emphasises the effectiveness of the evil
machinations of Edmund
- The chilling use of euphemism, “Our father he hath writ so hath our sister / Of differences”
evokes the calculated scheming and collusion of Goneril and Regan
- The odious characterisation of Regan, “I best thought it fit / To answer from our home”
presents her as Goneril’s equal in terms of her duplicity and complete lack of familial loyalty.
However, it is Lear’s familial failings which have, to an extent, caused this
- Regan is presented as exploitative and self-serving as she prioritises her own situation, “Lay
comforts to your bosom…/Your needful counsel to our businesses”
Act 2 Scene 2
- Kent balances sympathy for Lear as he continues to exhibit love and loyalty in this scene
- Through the rude, abrupt, curt response, “I’ th’ mire” Kent recognises Oswald as the
ignorant servant of Goneril. As a result, Kent is given an ignominious punishment. This
evokes the power shift of Lear. One of Lear’s only remaining followers is put in the stock.
This loss of status evokes Lear’s reversal of fortune. The attack on Kent is an indirect front to
Lear.
- The comically protracted list of insults suggests that the disguise affords Kent the
opportunity to insult Oswald in his new identity. Kent’s insults are a comic outward
manifestation of his love for Lear.
- The implicit staging, “Draw you rascal” (draws sword) emphasises Kent’s loyalty to Lear
- Through the marionette imagery/metaphor, “take Vanity the puppet’s part” Kent recognises
the Oswald is being manipulated by Goneril
- Through the monosyllabic, emphatic phrase, “I serve the King” Kent becomes the
mouthpiece through which Shakespeare communicates his views on the divine right of kings.
Through the characterisation of Kent, Shakespeare explores the theme of the right of kings
to rule. Kent’s concern is not for himself but for the effect his punishment will have on Lear,
“Call not your stocks for me”
- Through the temporal language and use of hyperbole, “Till night my Lord and all night too”
Regan cruelly revises the terms of the punishment. This does not augur well for Regan’s
future treatment of her father
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