King Lear by Shakespeare - Essay Example

King Lear by Shakespeare of the Mise-en-scene King Lear, perhaps Shakespeare’s most valued play is an existential tragedy. It is a story of power and a troubled family. Watching the theatrical performance on how the society handled contemporary issues the 400-year-old masterpiece from the theater is remarkable. The character performing the legendary role in King Lear was a fickle and bored king in the opening scene as he tossed aside faulty remotes when he clicked through Frank’s songs to find one he likes.

He acted decisively as he divided the kingdom to his daughters. The play obtained it visceral strength from Lear’s adviser. Lance Baker is an excellent actor as the daughter to Regan’s husband. Steve and Jesse, acting as Gloucester’s sons were also strong characters who were influential in the act. The acts of the three actors who played the role of Lear’s daughters had substantial stage impact. Their performances depicted lack of experience in Shakespearean work. One could easily realize the lack of vocal and dramatic power in the rest of the play.

The director’s simple scenic design synchronized with the modern-dress Lear. Geno’s lighting design, which is rather dramatic, highlighted the performances of the actors. The Moment that made the biggest Impression The moment that had the biggest impression was in the first act when Lear had a hilarious exchange with Oswald. The part is impressive because it gives relief to me in preparation of facing the terrible suffering that the play dramatizes. When Lear asks who he was, Oswald replies, “My Lady’s father.

’ Lear gets surprised on hearing the reply and repeats it. He calls Oswald names such as dog and slave. Oswald in a satirical tone declines that he is none of the names that Lear uses on him and begs for a pardon. The folly in the exchange continues and makes the portion of the act a memorable theatrical performance. The staging of the scene where Edgar pretends to show Gloucester the edge of a Dover cliff from was performed convincingly. The actor playing the part of Edgar perfectly did his portion of the play.

On the stage, the two actors acting as Edgar and Gloucester walked at a rather raised platform with the one acting as Edgar breathing hard to convince Gloucester that the ground was steep. When they reached the end section of the platform, they stopped and “Edgar” points at the wall that had the image of scenery of the sea. His description of the sea and the corresponding scenery captured the mind of the reader before “Edgar” walks away leaving the old man to fall approximately two feet down to the normal floor of the stage.

The acting crew presented the play boldly in a manner that represented the societal themes that Shakespeare establish using language in the famous play King Lear. Work CitedShakespeare, William, and Stanley Wells. The History of King Lear. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.