‘The play King Lear shows us nothing more than the tragic consequences of foolish behaviour.’

Essay plan

P1 -

In the opening scene of King Lear, the protagonist, Lear’s hubris causes him to make the egotistical order to divide the kingdom between his daughters, according to who dost love him most

context - Kings ‘by God himself they are called gods’ - King James I, speech to parliament on the divine right of Kings

critic - the eldest sisters’ ‘very preparedness to lavish him with praise is proof of their perfidy’ - Bleiman (perfidy = deceitful)

QUOTES:

I have cut the egg I’the middle (…) thou clovest thy crown I’the middle’ - The Fool

‘Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter’ - Goneril

‘dearer than eyesight, space and liberty’ - Goneril

‘I am alone felicitate/ In your dear highness’ love’ - Regan

‘my father’ - Cordelia

‘my love’s/ More ponderous than my tongue’ - Cordelia

p2

Shakespeare also portrays the foolish behaviour of Gloucester that causes much of the disastrous violence and deception of the play, as he much like Lear is gullible and is easily deceived by his illegitimate son Edmund.

context -

critic -

QUOTES:

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