Study Notes on King Lear Analysis
Analysis of King Lear
Importance of Reading King Lear
Encouragement for students to read the entire play to participate effectively in the discussion.
Analysis date set for June 30; submission reminders highlighted.
Course Structure
Overview of Shakespeare discussed in previous classes; emphasis on continuation with King Lear, described as a "dark play."
Anticipation of spending at least three classes on King Lear due to its complexity.
Theatrical and Critical Perspectives
Mention of Harold Bloom, a notable theater critic, who expressed that he has never seen a satisfactory production of King Lear.
Analysis of production challenges linked to the intricate setup of the play's narratives.
Context of Shakespeare's Era
Discussion of the English language's evolution during Shakespeare's lifetime, characterized as being in its infancy.
Shakespeare credited with coining approximately 1,700 words, which were introduced to English print for the first time, though he may not have invented them all.
Mention of the Oxford English Dictionary's efforts to trace word origins, establishing Shakespeare's influence on vocabulary.
Creative License with Language
Shakespeare's freedom to play with grammatical rules; changing nouns to verbs, verbs to adjectives, and suffix additions due to less rigid language conventions.
The average vocabulary of modern English speakers versus Shakespeare's estimated vocabulary, which may have been around 32,000 words or even more.
Living Conditions and Literacy Rate
Insights into Shakespeare's life, emphasizing the young, male-dominated society of London during his time.
Discussion of poverty and illness impacting Shakespeare's experiences (five plagues).
Notably high illiteracy rates among women (90% could not sign their name), including Shakespeare's wife.
Cultural and Oral Tradition
Contrast between modern visual communication (screens) and the oral traditions of Shakespeare's time; public performances were central to social culture.
Belief that language is powerful and divine, capable of invoking actual change in the world.
Examples of Word Power in Literature
Quote from Macbeth highlighting the use of words to summon powers and reflect the belief in language's potency.
The psychological impact of hearing significant lines during performances likely evoked deep emotional responses from audiences.
Historical Contextualization of Shakespeare's Works
The transition from Queen Elizabeth to King James I, who promoted the arts and Shakespeare's company became the King's Men.
Discussion of darker themes in plays written under James compared to those of Elizabeth.
Introduction of the King James Bible, which strengthened both the literary and religious landscape of the period.
Monarchical Beliefs in Divine Right
Exploration of the concept of divine right of kings and its significance in the context of King Lear's storyline.
James I's belief in monarchical authority that was divinely ordained, generating tensions regarding parliamentary power.
Themes of Instability
Mention of “chain of being” and “humours” as concepts understood by Shakespeare's audience; this foundation will be crucial for interpreting characters' motivations and health state in the play.
Exploration of Humours
Definition of four humours: sanguine (blood), choleric (yellow bile), phlegmatic (phlegm), melancholic (black bile), and their personality characteristics explained in terms of medieval and Renaissance thought.
Concept of the Great Chain of Being
Explanation of the Great Chain of Being as a hierarchical structure created by God, indicating that every entity has its rightful place.
Discussion on the nature of social mobility within this framework—natural ascension versus transgression against divine order.
Redefinition of Social Status
Insights into societal status based on wealth and birthright, with visual descriptors (clothing style, colors) denoting rank and power in society.
Role of Language and Word Value
Concerns over the use of strong language and curses, connecting it to the historical context of the plague emphasizing the potential dangers associated with invoking fate through speech.
Shakespeare's Narrative Structure
Analysis of dual family dynamics—Lear and Gloucester—where both father figures experience betrayal due to misjudgments regarding their children.
Discussion about two plots progressing alongside each other and their thematic implications on power, family, and sight.
Character Interconnectivity
Similarities between Lear and Gloucester: blind trust in their children and correlation with their fates.
Notable characters include Cordelia, Edmund, Edgar, and the Fool along with various supporting roles whose titles reflect their societal roles.
Adaption References
Notable contemporary adaptations of King Lear, such as the series Succession, highlighting thematic similarities in familial and power struggles.
Ending Themes and Redemption
Reconciling that while King Lear is a tragedy, it does not offer the same redemptive closure typically found in classical tragedies, leaving readers contemplating morality amidst chaos.
Significance of Setting
Setting of a pre-Christian Britain as a thematic exploration shows a realm devoid of organized religious structures, directly influencing characters’ actions and motivations.
Lear's calls to gods highlight a spiritual void and explore broader existential themes that resonate deeply with the audience.
Task for Students
Thought-provoking questions presented ahead of class screening to stimulate discussion, covering themes of authority, familial obligations, and societal structures as seen through the lens of Lear’s and Gloucester’s fates.
Analysis of Lear's division of the kingdom, his character, and their reflective relationship with societies mirrors that of contemporary narratives.
Final Reflection
Encouraging deeper understanding of how Shakespeare imbues characters and narratives with complex social commentary, alongside moral and philosophical inquiries relevant to both his contemporaries and modern-day audiences.