King Lear - themes
William Shakespeare wrote the play, King Lear around 1602-1608 when he was at the height of his tragic power. Shakespeare had an acute understanding of human nature, and the ironies of life, which he portrays perfectly through the themes in the play. Lines 131-152 of Scene 6, Act 4, show the development of characters through the use of themes covering many aspects of the play. It shows both the physical and emotional blindness of characters in the play, and that the face value of things are not always the right ones - specifically with Lear and Gloucester. The insights of the passage also relate to the justice of the play, by showing how there are always consequences for ones actions. This develops the themes of reconciliation and understanding, through Lear and Gloucester, when the order is restored to them after realising their mistakes. This passage shows the themes particularly well, and inter-relates them to themselves and the play nicely. The passage brings Gloucester and King Lear together for the first time since Lear went mad and Gloucester was assaulted by Cornwall leaving his physically blind. This physical blindness symbolizes the metaphorical blindness that grips both himself, and Lear. They both have disloyal chi
Edmund gets his power over Gloucester and Edgar is banished, Lear's banishes his daughter Cordelia, and loses his power from his other daughter's deception. With the order being broken, evil takes over the play. Here I disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity and property of blood. I know you do not love me; for your sisters Have, as I do remember, done me wrong: You have some cause, they have not" Act IV, sc vii, Line 71It is Lear's recognition of the error of his ways that is vital for the reconciliation with Cordelia, as he finally understands the depth of her love and loyalty, and that love is more than skin-deep and therefore cannot have a price put on it. The cause of the biggest reaction in the play is the fact that order of being was broken, right from the beginning with Lear putting a price on love. The fact that the two characters where brought together in the passage emphasizes justice through Gloucester, as he realizes there was a purpose for his life being spared - and that it is to serve Lear. It takes him to go from King to Beggar to do him justice and make him realize his mistakes. He is eventually re-united with Cordelia, who despite her treatment, comes back to rescue Lear. The statement "Let me wipe it first, it smells of mortality" in Line 132, shows how vulnerable he feels because of his guilt of banishing Cordelia. A strong theme in King Lear is the justice of the characters and the fact that every action has a reaction. "Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state, - Which of you shall we say doth love us most?" Act I, sc i, Line 50From there, his daughters play games with him a slowly wearing down his power by dismissing his knights and denying a place to stay, until he finally falls into sanity.
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