IMAGERY OF ANIMALS AND MONSTERS

Truth’s a dog must to kennel 1:4 110

The Fool personifies ‘Truth.’ Truth has become a lowly animal, one which may be ejected from society and confined to a kennel. The metaphor suggests a society which actively banishes truth, honesty and integrity.

‘I will preserve myself, [...]/That ever penury in contempt of man/Brought near to beast’ - A2S3, Edgar 

Shakespeare uses animal imagery - The phrase “brought near to beast” functions as a direct zoomorphic comparison - aligning Edgar with animals emphasises his loss of status and dignity, also creating a sense of dramatic irony. 

‘why should a dog a horse, a rat have life’

Here Lear questions the injustice of death which prevents Cordelia life. He uses an asyndetic list here which emphasises this my highlighting the many creatures that get to experience life over Cordelia.  

‘How sharper than a serpents tooth it is/To have a thankless child!’ 1:4 l 285-6 

The image of the Serpent has Edenic and religious connotations. This comparison associates Goneril with Eve, highlighting Lear's deep insecurities with women’s power and showcasing his belief that they are the catalyst for sin and evil deeds. The serpentine imagery dehumanises Goneril and portrays her as cunning and manipulative. The phrase ‘thankless child’ also shows Lear’s obsession with debt and gratitude revealing his victim mindset as he feels he has been wronged. 

“detested kite!” Lear 1.4

This quote is deeply dehumanising and strips Goneril of humanity and instead labels her as predatory. A “kite” is a type of bird of prey that are filled of greed and are driven by their own sense of self as birds who are mainly solitary. The use of the adjective “detested” shows extreme hate and despise towards Goneril who he views an animalistic and unnatural.

“Come not between the dragon and his wrath.”  Lear 1.1.121 

Lear’s use of an imperative in this quote demonstrates his authority as king and as a father right from the start of the play which only seems to deteriorate. the metaphor of a dragon suggests Lear sees himself as a powerful being, the mystical element of this creature perhaps emphasising his connection to the gods and his power on earth beyond the human capabilities. Wrath is one of the seven deadly sins from Christian theology, wrath is sinful as it can lead to harm and violence, Lear allows his wrath to overtake him and eventually it consumes him. 

‘tigers not daughters’ 

By aligning Gonerill and Regan with animals that are known to be highly aggressive, their femininity is completely eradicated. Albany can no longer see them as females as their evil natures have overtaken any gentle, feminine quality.  

“Humanity must perforce prey on itself Like monsters of the deep.” Act 4.2 49-50 

The antithesis of humanity and monsters suggests nihilistic imagery which may foreshadow self-destruction as it implies that humans will destroy themselves without divine intervention. The use of violent animal imagery ‘prey’ may suggest that humans are predators going after one another rather than protecting each other, emphasising that they will destroy each other. This could imply the breakdown of natural bonds and moral decay. The simile compares humanity to monsters conveying the inhumane and savage behavior of the corrupt members of the kingdom.  

As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / They kill us for their sport.” 3.4

Gloucester uses the metaphor of flies to describe humans as small an weak emphasizing the fragility of human nature. The use of the simile shows the powerlessness of humans in proportion to the gods as they allow suffering to occur for entertainment. His bitter tone suggests his despair at how vulnerable he feels. 

“Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art” 3.4 103-104 

This is what Lear has learnt from Edgar in his disguise as Poor Tom