Term II : Lecture 3

Text - King Lear

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

Introduction of the Sub-plot

Gloucester’s two sons – Edmund & Edgar

Gloucester’s relationship with them

Sub-plot amplifies & reverberates themes and issues explored in the main plot

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

Edmund’s Speech in the beginning

The Issue of Nature

The Elements

Natural Order of Things

Nature , Natural & Unnatural

1st Explicit Invocation of the Theme of Identity

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

Structurally

The main plot & the sub-plot weave together

But do remain identifiably separate issues

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

Ideas Explored

Illegitimacy of a Natural Child

Spontaneous Feeling Vs Rule of Law (Edmund’s Opening Lines)

Conventions Vs Self-Perception

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

1 explicit invocation of identity in the play

This will be explored further in rest of the play

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 2

Characters

Gloucester - Gullible

Edmund – A bastard in both senses, dramatically intriguing, ingenious manipulator, clever plotter

Edgar – allows himself to be manipulated

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 3

What did we expect?

Is Goneril unreasonable if she is irritated by her father’s antics?

Are our suspicions confirmed by Goneril’s actions?

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 4

Kent Disguised

• Disguise as an important feature of Shakespearean plays

• Disguise Vs Identity

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 4

Purpose of Disguise

Dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of something (in this case the true identity of characters) that characters in the play are not. This creates tension in a play and excites the audience; actions take place on the stage, of which the audience knows the import, but characters on the stage do not.

It also creates a setting for a great deal of irony where characters make comments that take on a double meaning.

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 4

Development of Features of Act 1 Scene 3

• Lear starting to lose grip

• Goneril shows her true colours

• Lear begins to regret

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 4

Entrance of the Fool

• Traditional role of the fool

• ‘Magic’ status of the fool

• Ability to see & say what others can’t

King Lear: Act 1 Scene 4

Entrance of the Fool

• The ‘Wise’ fool

• Effect of the fool on Lear

• The Fool’s Advice

• Song 1 Line 120

• Song 2 Line 145