King Lear - themes
William Shakespeare wrote the play, King Lear around 1602-1608 when he was at the height of his tragic power. Shakespeare had an acute understanding of human nature, and the ironies of life, which he portrays perfectly through the themes in the play. Lines 131-152 of Scene 6, Act 4, show the development of characters through the use of themes covering many aspects of the play. It shows both the physical and emotional blindness of characters in the play, and that the face value of things are not always the right ones - specifically with Lear and Gloucester. The insights of the passage also relate to the justice of the play, by showing how there are always consequences for ones actions. This develops the themes of reconciliation and understanding, through Lear and Gloucester, when the order is restored to them after realising their mistakes. This passage shows the themes particularly well, and inter-relates them to themselves and the play nicely. The passage brings Gloucester and King Lear together for the first time since Lear went mad and Gloucester was assaulted by Cornwall leaving his physically blind. This physical blindness symbolizes the metaphorical blindness that grips both himself, and Lear. They both have disloyal chi
He recognizes it in the passage when talking to Gloucester, who despite being old, poor and blind, still manages to love the world. If you have poison for me, I will drink it. Lear full understands the deception that flattery can bring. He has learnt this the hard way and it has cost him status and his kingdom. The fact that the two characters where brought together in the passage emphasizes justice through Gloucester, as he realizes there was a purpose for his life being spared - and that it is to serve Lear. With the order being broken, evil takes over the play. Edmund gets his power over Gloucester and Edgar is banished, Lear's banishes his daughter Cordelia, and loses his power from his other daughter's deception. Though, after the realization in the passage justice is served at the end of the passage and all those disrupted the god's order died (that is with the exception of Cordelia).
Some common words found in the essay are:
Act IV, King Lear, IV Sc, Lear Gloucester, Act Sc, Sc Line, Lear Lear, Gloucester Edgar, Goneril Regan, King Beggar, act iv, iv sc, act iv sc, king lear, iv sc vi, sc vi, act sc, act sc line, sc line, lear gloucester, purse light, heavy purse, purse light world, eyes heavy, eyes heavy purse,
Approximate Word count = 1154
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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