King Lear

Context
Shakespearean Tragedy
Language
Context
• The first performance was in 1606 in front of the King James VI

• He was the King of Scotland when he succeeded Queen Elizabeth 1st in 1603 and was trying to achieve
accession (Unity) between England and Scotland through parliament.

• Shakespeare chose to produce this play as it emphasised the importance of strength in unity, which reflected
the new monarch’s values.

• Shakespearean audiences believed Kings were given their authority from God and that there was a strict
“Natural Order” which all members of society had to observe. If a king attempted to tamper with this, the
consequences would be felt by all.

• Superstition was very prevalent also in these times and reference is made to this throughout the play as things
begin to go awry for Lear and his kingdom.
Shakespearean Tragedy
• A Tragedy in Drama is clearly defined genre or type of play.
• The origins of tragedy are found in Ancient Greece.
• There are strict conventions or rules which all tragedies must follow.
• Shakespeare’s tragedies mostly follow these conventions.
• The general rules are;
The conventions of Tragedy
• The tragic hero goes from a position of great status and power to one
of powerlessness. (Lear ends up homeless and destitute) Fortune
deserts him.
• The tragic hero has a fatal flaw (hamartia), which causes his downfall.

• Irony results when a tragic hero’s actions produce the opposite effect
which he intends. (The ironic result of Lear’s “Love Test”)
• When the audience knows more than the characters on stage this is
known as “Dramatic Irony”. (he’s behind you!!)
• Tragedies aim to produce “Catharsis” in the audience. This is the building up of emotion
such as sadness, pity or anger in order to purge or rid them of their own negative emotions.
• Fate, predestination or destiny plays a role in the hero’s downfall. This is a reminder that we
are all at the mercy of “The Gods” and that we should not fall victim to excessive pride or
hubris.
• Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often have excellent personal qualities and inspire extreme
loyalty but despite all this, fate and fallibility combine to create a force which he cannot
defeat.
• The play’s effectiveness relies on the audience empathy towards the character and their
hope that he will overcome the obstacles he faces.
• Lear is unique in that the greatness of his character is revealed through the hardship he
endures.