Summary
Summary King Lear Act 5
These notes include quotes, context and analysis of all scenes in act 5 of King Lear. The notes come from a variety of sources and got me an A in A-Level English literature!
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Content preview
King Lear-Act 5written by
ncarlin1998
www.stuvia.com
Downloaded by: jessicagreenlee | jessicagreenlee@icloud.com
Distribution of this document is illegal
, Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
King Lear
Act 5 Scene 1
- The plot advances as Albany is informed by Edgar of the plot to kill him
- Regan’s cross examination of Edmund and the sexual euphemism, “have you never
found my brother’s way/ To the for-fended place?” suggests the sexual jealousy of
Regan, who is presented as the subversion of woman hood. (man-like in her
forwrdness)
- Although Albany is loyal to Lear, he is still willing to fight in the French invasion, “It
touches us, as France invades our land.” The equivocation and vacillating loyalties
of Albany suggests the chaos that has ensued from Lear’s error of judgement.
Albany also emphasises Lear’s failing through the suggestion of the failings of the
power sharing arrangement, “the rigour of our state / Forc’d to cry out”
- The battle between Edgar and Edmund, “I can produce a champion” is a symbolic
battle between good and evil
- Edmund’s soliloquy further complicates the rivalry of Goneril and Regan. There is a
greater sense of foreboding from the sexual rivalry than there is from the impending
battle.
- Edmund’s sardonic mockery of the sexual rivalry between Goneril and Regan is
emphasised through the snake analogy/ simile, “Each jealous of the other, as the
stung / Are of the adder.” The snake symbol is associated with the Edenic myth and
suggests the evil subversive nature of Goneril and Regan
- The rhetorical question, “Both? One? Or neither? Presents the odious, self-seeking
nature of Edmund, who is prepared to exploit the sexual desires of Goneril and
Regan
- The ominous use of negatives, “neither can be enjoyed / If both remain alive”
suggests the untenable nature of the situation and the extreme ambition of
Edmund. The natural order is subverted as there is a possibility that an illegitimate
son could gain control of England. Edmund’s manipulation and exploitation of the
situation suggests a lack of genuine love for either Goneril or Regan
- The vacillating fortunes of Lear are emphasised, “they within our power / Shall
never see his pardon” as Edmund is intent on causing harm to Lear and Cordelia
Act 5 Scene 2
- The battle scene is given cursory treatment and is suggested by the staging, “Enter
with drum and colours.” Lear and Cordelia’s entrance creates tension and suspense,
as in the next scene they will enter as prisoners.
- Just as the battle is given cursory treatment, the result of the battle is also treated
economically, “King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en.”
- The clipped, blunt, monosyllabic line, “ a man may rot even here” creates a defeat
tone and suggests Gloucester’s despair at Lear’s defeat. There are Christian
underpinnings in the play as in Christian doctrine we are taught to accept suffering
Downloaded by: jessicagreenlee | jessicagreenlee@icloud.com
Distribution of this document is illegal
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kaitlynmccoy. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
52510 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now