Critics (AO5)

‘works in the action …. as an example of patriarchy restored.‘

‘works in the action …. as an example of patriarchy restored.‘

McLuskie arguing that Cordelia conforms to patriarchal standards.

‘the failure of a father’s power to command love‘

Kahn argues that the play is centred around father’s failures.

‘variant of the wedding ceremony‘

Kahn argues the opening scene is a variant of this.

‘women are tainted … by their sexual capacities.‘

Kahn argues that women’s sexualities are oppressed.

‘characters which have little or nothing to do with women… survive‘

Whittier arguing that women are the cause of the death within the play.

‘progress from being king to being a man‘

Kettle argues the play can be seen as a tragic fall.

Kettle

Argues that the older order represent feudal ideas, and the younger people represent the bourgeoisie outlook. This can be seen through their descriptions of nature - older sorts see it as Natural Law and newer sorts see it as the opposite of tradition and order, humans without rule.

‘the crown is merely property‘

Tennenhouse argues the crown has no metaphysical power in King Lear.

Tennenhouse

Argues Lear divides his powers, pitting them against one another and causing the play’s division. This is shown by him casting out Cordelia and Kent, dividing his kingdom and ignoring primogeniture. This leads to Gloucester believing Edgar’s betrayal.

‘reject both the waning and the waxing views it explores‘

Ryan argues that the play encourages you to disavow the ideas of the younger and older sorts.

‘denying their depiction of reality as a changing social process made … by men and women‘

Ryan argues that perceptions of the play as presenting suffering as unavoidable and natural ignore Shakespeare’s depictions.

‘aligning itself instead with the mad, the blind, the beggarded‘

Ryan argues that the play aligns itself with the ‘baser sorts‘.

‘making fools and madmen the vehicle of unpopular truths‘

Muir argues that those expected to be mistaken are made to express controversial views.

Doran 2016

Production where a strong Pagan setting is emphasised, yet Cordelia is dressed in white to emphasise purity. Sisters are shown as divided only after the love test, Edmund is unserious and Gloucester is rageful.

Nunn 2007

Production where the fool is hanged on stage, setting is Ruritania, Edmunds asking for forgiveness is comedic, Gloucester is naive and Edgar is more serious.