King Lear

what do critics debate regarding Lear’s character at the end of the play

whether he achieves redemption or remains broken

what is ambiguous about Lear’s final moments

whether they are delusion or truth

what is significant of Cordelia’s death for Lear

it crushes him

How is Lear humanised in Act 5

through grief and love

what is the emotional climax in act five

Lear’s brief reconciliation with Cordelia

what does the tragedy scene in Act 5 lead to

growth through suffering

what does Lear long for in Act 4

forgiveness from Cordelia

what does Lear begin to experience in Act 4

path to anagnorisis and moral awakening

How does Lear’s encounter with Gloucester in Act 4 relate to his character development

it parallels his madness

what linguistic shift occurs in Lear’s speech

from royal ‘we’ to personal ‘I"‘

what does Lear’s loss of identity signify in the political context

shows the fragility of monarchical rule

how does Lear’s rage in Act 2 reflect his mental state

reveals his inablility to accept powerlessness

what happens to Lear’s authority in Act 2

begins to erode

what do feminist critics argue about Lear’s demand for love

masks patriarchal entitlement

How does Lear’s conflict with Kent in act 1 contribute to the plot

Shows Lear’s manipulation by Goneril and Regan

What is Lear’s action in Act 1 that demonstrates his tragic hamartia

he disowns Cordelia

what does Marvin Lear suggest about Lear’s downfall

it reveals the instability of feudal power structures

according to Janet Adelman what causes Lear’s madness

the shattering of patriarchal order/ideal

what does A.C. Bradley emphasise about Lear?

his moral regeneration through suffering

how does Lear’s loss of power affect his political vulnerability

it exposes the consequences of failing leadership n

what does Lear’s abdication critique

the divine right of Kings and patriarchal order

what is the catharsis experienced by the audience in King Lear

pity for Lear’s suffering and fall from grace

how does Lear’s hubris affect his relationships?

he believes he can command loyalty through power

what is Lear’s hamartia in the play

His pride and rashness in dividing his Kingdom

what is anagnorisis in the context of king Lear

realising Cordelia was truthful and loyal

what does Lear’s decline and madness highlight about humanity

it highlights human vulnerability

what are the key traits of King Lear as a tragic hero

proud, egotistical, and blind to truth

features of pride and power structures

• lear's pride reflects a broader patriarchal and feudal mindset as he expects obedience just because he is a father and a King

• Shakespeare critiques hierarchal pride and power associated

features of the consequences of Pride

• as lear is stripped of his identity and status he is forced to confront his pride and begins a journey towards self-awareness

• on the heath his madness represents the collapse of his pride as Lear now sees himself as just a man

• eventually his hubris is completely stripped and he learns humility and love

features of pride as a mask for insecurity and age

• fears loosing control and respect as he gets older so his pride is a way of clinging to authority

• wants the title without the responsibility implying his emotional insecurity

aristotle's view on pride

• tragic protagonist must have a fatal flaw

• Lear's fatal flaw is his pride/ hubris

features of pride as a tragic flaw

• lear's downfall begins with his need for flattery and validation

• demands public declarations of love

• his pride blinds him to Cordelia's honesty + Kent's loyalty

what are the four elements of pride

1. pride as a tragic flaw

2. Pride as masking for insecurity and age

3. consequences of pride

4. pride and power structures