Unit A2 1 - The Study of Poetry - 1300-1800 and Drama
Instelling
CCEA
Boek
King Lear
These notes include quotes, context and analysis of all scenes in act 4 of King Lear. notes come from a variety of sources and got me an A in A-Level English literature!
Unit A2 1 - The Study of Poetry - 1300-1800 and Drama
Alle documenten voor dit vak (40)
1
beoordeling
Door: aoifejmoore • 1 jaar geleden
Verkoper
Volgen
kaitlynmccoy
Ontvangen beoordelingen
Voorbeeld van de inhoud
King lear-Act 4
written 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 4 Scene 1
- There is structural symmetry in the play as Gloucester, who is now at the nadir of his
fortunes, parallels with Lear on the heath
- Through Edgar’s soliloquy, the message of human suffering is universalised. There is an
implication in the play that it is only when one reaches the nadir of fortune that hope and
optimism can be gained, “The lowest and most dejected thing of Fortune / Stands still in
Esperance; lives not in fear.” There is a suggestion; both by Lear and Edgar, that suffering
can have a liberating effect. Edgar’s stoical acceptance of his own suffering elevates his
heroic status. However, this statement is ironic as Edgar’s fortunes will be depleted even
further when he sees his blind father.
- The agonised repetition, “World, world O world!” emphasises Edgar’s shock, horror and
disbelief. It also has a universalising effect as it explores suffering as an intrinsic aspect of the
human condition.
- Edgar’s disguise is used as a vehicle for generating dramatic irony in the scene as Gloucester
repents for what he has done to Edgar, without realising that Edgar is present.
- There is an implicit reference to fate and the external forces at work, “thy strange
mutations make us hate thee.” The workings of fate and fortune and the actions of the gods
are much more inscrutable in King Lear than in Burial at Thebes
- Through the powerful use of negatives, “I have no way and therefore want no eyes”
Gloucester’s stoical acceptance of his punishment is evoked. There is an implication of the
ameliorative effects of suffering
- The paradox, “I stumbled when I saw” suggests the anagnorisis of Gloucester who is
ironically more aware of his moral failings now that he his blind. (tragic emotions- pity/fear)
However, it could be argued that this anagnorisis is only partial as he still fails to recognise
Edgar in disguise (familial failings)
- The powerful use of aside and superlative language, “I am worse than e’er I was” evokes
the agony of Edgar at the recognition of the extremity of his father’s suffering.
(disproportionate suffering / tragic emotions) The sententious tone of Edgar’s remarks
suggests the clarity that can come with insanity (link to Lear)
- Through the use of the simile, “As flies to wanton boys, are we to th’ Gods / They kill us for
their sport” there is a characterisation of the gods in the play There is an implication of the
lack of a divine scheme and the random nature of fate. There is a suggestion in Edgar’s
words that extreme suffering is heaped on humanity by the gods. However, in this play the
majority of the suffering can be linked back to acts of human evil (theme- man Vs. gods)
Downloaded by: jessicagreenlee | jessicagreenlee@icloud.com
Distribution of this document is illegal
Voordelen van het kopen van samenvattingen bij Stuvia op een rij:
Verzekerd van kwaliteit door reviews
Stuvia-klanten hebben meer dan 700.000 samenvattingen beoordeeld. Zo weet je zeker dat je de beste documenten koopt!
Snel en makkelijk kopen
Je betaalt supersnel en eenmalig met iDeal, creditcard of Stuvia-tegoed voor de samenvatting. Zonder lidmaatschap.
Focus op de essentie
Samenvattingen worden geschreven voor en door anderen. Daarom zijn de samenvattingen altijd betrouwbaar en actueel. Zo kom je snel tot de kern!
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat krijg ik als ik dit document koop?
Je krijgt een PDF, die direct beschikbaar is na je aankoop. Het gekochte document is altijd, overal en oneindig toegankelijk via je profiel.
Tevredenheidsgarantie: hoe werkt dat?
Onze tevredenheidsgarantie zorgt ervoor dat je altijd een studiedocument vindt dat goed bij je past. Je vult een formulier in en onze klantenservice regelt de rest.
Van wie koop ik deze samenvatting?
Stuvia is een marktplaats, je koop dit document dus niet van ons, maar van verkoper kaitlynmccoy. Stuvia faciliteert de betaling aan de verkoper.
Zit ik meteen vast aan een abonnement?
Nee, je koopt alleen deze samenvatting voor €8,69. Je zit daarna nergens aan vast.