KING LEAR QUESTIONS

Eva Gu 11EN5

1. Discuss the point of the subplot. How does it reinforce your understanding of the main plot? The subplot follows Gloucester but mirrors the main plot involving Lear. In both plots, the old men foolishly trust and hands power over to one offspring whilst condemning the other. This mirroring of morals and ideas helps the audience understand the events in the main plot and emphasises how both the tragic heroes actions, which have ultimately lead to their downfalls (Gloucester turns blind whilst Lear goes mad), could have easily been avoided. Morals and themes such as insight, ambition, power, loyalty and family have also been mirrored. Gloucesters lack of insight into Edmunds sneaky lies and hidden desire to inherit Gloucesters power, leads him to abandon Edgar. Edgar, however, demonstrates loyalty to family and the older generations, saving his father and protecting him. Shakespeare highlights the importance of Edgars qualities through his survival, while Edmunds death represents the punishment of characters that offend social paradigms. Thus, the subplot not only introduces a wider cast of characters, but also strengthens the moral messages of King Lear. 2. Do you think the arguments in Gonerils speeches are valid? Consider the contextual information you know about the Chain of Being and Jacobean society. Yes, I believe that the arguments in Gonerils speeches are valid. The Jacobean society in which King Lear is set is a time filled with violence, madness, corruption, perversion, blood and passion. Despite the time of deep religious and political unrest, people were obsessed with money and sex. Ironically, this society was an extremely hierarchical one where wealth, power, parents and the elderly demanded the absolute deference and respect. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 4-11, Gonerils statement that [King Lears] knights are getting out of control, and he himself reprimands us about every little detail displays how King Lear is accustomed to having absolute authority and respect. The knights ruckus is plausible as the Jacobean Era was filled with madness and passion. In Act 1, scene 4, line 240-255, the Divine Right of Kings is evident in As you are old and reverend, should be wise, where Goneril acknowledges the respect and power of the King and her fathers authority. She further describes the knights who are so disordered, so debauches and bold that this our court, infected with their manners, shows like a riotous inn, fits with the description of Jacobean society. Similarly, Epicurism and lust make it more like a tavern or brothel, fits with the oversexed nature of Jacobean society. Gonerils line And the remained that shall still depend to be such men as may besort your age, which know themselves and you emphasises how Goneril is still influenced by the Divine Right of Kings and how the elder, powerful men are more valued. Because Gonerils statements correspond to Jacobean society values and morals, I believe her statements are valid.

3. Using contextual information, pick 3 references from Edgars soliloquy (Act 2, scene 3) and explain their relationship to his character. 4. Explain the meaning of the fools speech (Act 1, scene 4, lines 194203), use textual evidence. In these lines, the fool speaks about King Lears sense of identity and his lack of it as a consequence of splitting his wealth and status among his three daughters. The phrase Now thou art an 0 without a figure expresses King Lears sudden lack of authority. The words I am better than thou art now. I am a fool. Thou art nothing emphasises King Lears loss of position, power and kingdom and along with it his personal identity. The fool has his position and job to define him, while Lear is without a title or a position. He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, weary of all, shall want some foreshadows Lears eventual regret for giving his kingdom to his daughters and the helplessness he feels. By labelling Lear a shelled peascod, the Fool states how Lear is without property, title, and without loyalty and family since Cordelia is no longer with him and Goneril and Regan have abandoned him.