AO3 King Lear Context cards PROPER

What period was King Lear written in and what eras do the concerns and values reflect?

Written during the early reign of King James (1603-1625)

Reflected concerns and values of both Elizabethan + Jacobean eras

What period is the action of King Lear set in?

a pre-Christian, ancient Britain, around 8th Century BC, blend of ancient society with Shakespearean concerns

What is the idea of the monarch being appointed by God and what did it mean, link to KL?

Divine Right of Kings

Questioning the authority of a ruler akin to questioning divine will

Lear’s decision to abdicate + divide his kingdom suggests disruption of natural order

What is succession anxiety and how does KL address this?

the fear and uncertainty of successive leadership, present towards end of Elizabethan era

KL addresses dangers of political division, reflecting concerns of the throne’s inheritance after Elizabeth I. Creates political chaos, resonating with audiences

What ancient British legend is the basic plot of KL derived from? How does Shakespeare change this?

The Legend of Leir

In early versions of the story, Leir is restored to power by his loyal daughter

Shakespeare transforms optimistic narrative into tragedy

What play did Shakespeare borrow elements from for KL? How did he change his own? What did that reflect?

King Leir (1605)

Deepened the tragic elements, introducing the subplot of Gloucester (mirroring Lear’s).

Reflected influence of Senecan tragedy - inescapable consequences

What did Jacobean audiences firmly believe about the monarchy? What did KL reflect about Jacobean society?

Importance of a strong, centralised monarchy

Reflected concerns of stability of leadership after long reign of Queen Elizabeth I

How is rigid social hierarchy reflected in KL?

Through its breakdown in the rebellion of the youth - catastrophic

Challenges to authority as direct threats to established order - fear of social upheaval

How is the patriarchal society of early modern England reflected in KL?

Lear’s position as king and father symbolises ultimate patriarchal authority

Cordelia expected to be dutiful and obedient, reflecting social expectations of women

Failure of Goneril and Regan to adhere to expectations reflect contemp. anxieties of female ambition and power

How were concerns on inheritance and property reflected in KL?

Lear’s division of kingdom reflects ignorance of primogeniture (eldest son inherits all)

Reflects anxieties about breakdown of traditional family and inheritance structures

How are Christian and pagan elements incorporated in KL?

set in pre-Christian Britain yet contains references to Christian ideas of suffering, justice etc

Absence of clear justice in end challenging audience expectations of moral resolution

Pagan worldview suggested, gods are indifferent or malevolent

How are ideas of Christian redemption reflected in KL?

Lear’s journey to self-awareness and humility explores redemption

Eventual reconciliation with Cordelia - reflecting Christian idea of spiritual rebirth, though tragic

Where and to what of audience would Shakespeare’s KL have been performed to? What conventions used to engage?

writing for the Globe Theatre

performed for a diverse audience

tragic structure, dramatic intensity, comic relief - conventions of stage

What models of tragedy was Shakespeare’s KL influenced by? How does he expand the genre?

classical models of Seneca and Aristotle

tragic hero’s fall caused by hubris

expands with multiple plots, characters of psychological complexity

What archetype does Edmund’s character conform to? Describe in more detail.

archetype of the malconent

dissatisfied with disadvantaged position in society, frustrated, desires to transcend social structures

What purposes does the Fool serve in KL?

Voice of social truth and critique

Chorus-like function - reflecting ideal audience member

Sympathetic, son-like character to Lear

Background context of the Fool

Jesters in Jacobean England and historically were some of the only people allowed to speak the truth without repercussions in front of the monarch

Offered philosophical truths underlying their nonsense

Shakespeare’s actors influenced the Fool - Robert Armin’s background as scholar allowed for more nuance in comedy

What does Albany’s name bring to mind, what does it reflect?

name recalls ‘Albion’, Roman name for Britain

link to country’s glorious civilisation

becomes play’s moral spokesperson

What is the significance of Kent’s punishment in the stocks?

is a degrading and embarassing punishment

serious affront to king, act of treason to monarch - Lear’s control over subjects is crumbling

placing Kent in the stocks is the same as placing Lear in them

What is the wheel of fortune in detail? Who mention it?

medieval concept of Roman goddess Fortuna controlling fates of people

wheel spinned randomly - some people live well, others less so

ciclical nature of destiny emphasises it out of human control

Kent and Edmund mention it

Why and how did Elizabeth I try justify her rule in England? How is this reflected in KL?

Why: because of her gender + uneasy familial claim to throne

How: Theory of the ‘king’s two bodies’, her person divided between a mortal body natural and immortal body politic

This separation had a lasting effect, reflecting Lear’s personal desires and actions affecting destiny of country