Historical context (AO3)

King Leir

Original play. Refers fondly to Lear’s wife, has a comic scene for 3.6 and originally created in the 1580s.

Sidney

Wrote the story of the blind king of Paphlagonia in the ‘Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia‘ which is said to inspire the Gloucester subplot. In this play, Leonatus forgives Plexirtus, who pleads for his life, although his friends are killed and the father still dies of a broken heart.

Leonatus and Plexirtus

Names for the versions of Edgar and Edmund respectively in the story said to have inspired the Gloucester subplot, written by Sidney.

Sir Annesley

Had his two elder daughters attempt to certify him as mad to take over his land in 1603. His youngest daughter, Cordell, protested on his behalf.

Sir Allen

The former mayor of London who split his estate between his three daughters and was then treated disrespectively by them, such as having fire access denied.

English sumptuary

Laws supported by Queen Elizabeth which stated a person must dress accordingly to their class, which was punishable by fines and even death. Theatrical companies therefore spent more on costumes than wages.

Machiavellian

A political philosophy embodied by Edmund that encourages leaders to be cunning, controlling, crafty and narcissistic. Originates from a book by Machiavelli called the Prince.

Malcontent

Character trope established by Marston’s ‘The Malcontent‘. Could be seen as the fool or Edmund.

Aristotle

Devised his poetics. Said a tragedy should create feelings of horror and pity, have one plot, one setting and a 24 hour timescale.

Anagnorisis

When a principal character recognises a character’s true identity or the true nature of their circumstances. Lear in the storm and Gloucester in his blinding.

Catharsis

Process of relieving/ releasing strong emotions. Lear in the storm and Gloucester’s attempted suicide.

Hamartia

Fatal flaw.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances. The opening scene of the play, Lear and Cordelia reuniting and Edgar’s writ.

Nemesis

Paying what is due. Based on the ancient Greek goddess of retribution who is presented as a merciless goddess pursuing individuals for years to enact vengeance.

Seneca

Seen as the model for early Elizabethan tragedy, writing Oedipus and Agamemnon. Focused on bloodthirsty revenge stories which implicitly criticised autocratic rule and corruption.

Maintenance

Agreements devised by the elderly to their children which specify how they should be treated, including fire access, food amount and clothing.

Yellow bile

Excess of this humour was said to cause short-tempers and ambition. Lear could be described as having this and therefore being chloric.

Rota fortunae

Fancy term for wheel of fortune. Developed by ancient Greeks after Babylonian origins. Associated with God’s will, but some scholars saw it as heathenism.

Caritas

Love expressed by charity. Meant to counterbalance rank and privilege, but discarded by new individualists. Could reflect on Lear and Gloucester’s regrets.

Archbishop of Canterbury

Encouraged those in the baser sorts to submit to injustice from the higher ranks, believing this to be God’s order.

Hysteria

Movement of the womb. Hippocrates named this in 400 BC, and attributed it to lack of sex and menstrual blood retention, curable by marriage. Referred to as the mother.