Often considered one of the most "gripping and poignant scenes in the play," the storm scene of Shakespeare's "King Lear" is quite powerful. King Lear, railing at the storm comes to realize the extent of his problems and those of others. Powerful imagery, syntax, diction and the action all combine during the storm scenes, making them a very important part of the play, showing Lear's descent into madness, and his change in character.

Critics may argue that Lear is insane from the beginning of the play solely because he gave up power and halved his kingdom, or because he did not have insight enough to realize that Goneril and Reagan were merely feigning love. In Lear's first speech during the storm, the syntax is punctuated with exclamation points, signifying that Lear is yelling in an imperative tone to the elements; though able to get his way before, he in no longer king, and he has not realized it. Also, many of his sentences are long, containing many commas. Both the exclamation points and commas create an image of a man yelling loudly, continuously, hardly pausing to take a breath, like some crazed maniac. "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!

Lear's attitude toward people seems to have changed as well. He says to the Fool " How dost, my boy? Art cold?...I have one part in my heart that's sorry yet for thee"(III, ii, 71-76). Lear diction shows compassion for the Fool and even though he has not treated the Fool harshly, it symbolically shows how Lear has changed. The Fool can be seen as a symbol for men and Lear's sudden recognition of their plight. By using the word "boy," Lear puts a touch of fatherly love into Lear's speech, greatly foiling Lear's recent testimonial to the elements about his loathing towards his daughters. A few lines later, Lear makes a moving speech about how he has " ta'en too little care of this,"(III, iv, 39-40), "this" referring to people having to suffer out in the storm because they had no shelter. Lear is in the same situation; his daughters have abandoned him and left him out in the storm to vie for himself. Lears' eyes have truly been opened for the first time, and he realizes his own problems and those of the poor wretched souls he has allowed to live in squalor for so many years.

...cataracts and hurricanoes, spout till you have drenched..." (III, ii, 1-3). Lear's first words of this scene deliver an image of a fierce situation, howling winds, a torrential downpour, and general natural mayhem. Just the fact that Lear, an accomplished, yet aged king is outdoors, soaked and yelling at the elements shows that he is crazed. People, yet alone kings do not risk personal harm to stand outside in a furious storm to protest the elements. It is below kings' stature to do such a thing. Lear

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Approximate Word count = 1077
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)