Shakespeare - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages He grows more and more insane as the play progresses.
displayed in the cast-away sister. In this way, Lear can be seen to be craving for the sort of blindness that he is already in the process of imposing upon himself when he says, “Old fond eyes, beweep this cause again, I’ll pluck ye out, and cast you, with the waters that you lose, to temper clay. Yea, is it come to this? Let it be so: I have another daughter…” (Shakespeare I,iv,292-294). A close reading of these words show that Lear is still using emotion to convey meaning, and also to convey the theme of blindness mentioned above, which is strong throughout the work. Lear is the one being portrayed as blind.
The work can be shown through a close reading of how Goneril talks to Lear. In a chosen scene, Goneril states, “I do beseech you To understand my purposes aright: As you are old and reverend, you should be wise. Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires; Men so disorderd, so deboshd and bold, That this our court, infected with their manners, Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust Make it more like a tavern or a brothel Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy” (Shakespeare, I, iv, 140-7). A close reading of this passage shows how Goneril starts off with a rhyming couplet that signifies important speech, and then goes on to flowery flattering of her father which is evident to the reader, but not to Lear, as false. This passage also shows that Goneril clearly thinks that she knows better than her father the king how the land should be ruled. “Angered by what he perceives as Cordelias insufficient love, Lear splits the kingdom between Regan and Goneril. Their treachery, however, soon becomes clear as they strip their father of all his authority and possessions. Lear then realizes the sincerity of Cordelias love” (King, 2000). Lear is essentially a tragic play. Its action focuses on a character through, surefit of pride, ...Download file to see next pagesRead More