William Shakespeare’s King Lear

Date of Composition and Source Most difficult play to pin down Most difficult play to pin down Written after Hamlet and Othello Written after Hamlet and Othello Winter of Winter of “Leir” a folk legend king who never actually existed “Leir” a folk legend king who never actually existed Published during his life time Published during his life time

Lear and European History One of the few plays to take place in Britain (except Histories) One of the few plays to take place in Britain (except Histories) Similar to other tragedies- nobility Similar to other tragedies- nobility Believed to be during the Hundred Years War ( ) Believed to be during the Hundred Years War ( ) France loses the battle France loses the battle

The Hundred Years War: What was it? long struggle between England and France over the throne of France. lasted from 1337 to 1453 success see-saws back and forth King Henry V of England conquers large parts of France; wins extraordinary concessions France takes control again Joan of Arc (a young mystic) leads the final charge to win the throne back for France

The Plot and Subplot: Two Parallel Stories Lear and his daughters: Main Plot Lear and his daughters: Main Plot Edgar and his father and brother: subplot Edgar and his father and brother: subplot Parallel stories: their closeness in plot and direction render them mirrors of each other Parallel stories: their closeness in plot and direction render them mirrors of each other Both Lear and Gloucester have faith in the wrong child and reject the right one Both Lear and Gloucester have faith in the wrong child and reject the right one Hook: begins in media res (in the middle of things) Kent, Gloucester (Gloss ter), and Edmund enter stage already in conversation Hook: begins in media res (in the middle of things) Kent, Gloucester (Gloss ter), and Edmund enter stage already in conversation

Aristotelian Hamartia Poetics: tragic hero is one who is guilty of hamartia, and perhaps hubris Poetics: tragic hero is one who is guilty of hamartia, and perhaps hubris Hamartia: error of judgment Hamartia: error of judgment Hubris: excessive pride Hubris: excessive pride Lear is guilty of both Lear is guilty of both Existential Hero: architect of his own ruin Existential Hero: architect of his own ruin Fall from high to low Fall from high to low

Characters King Lear-Aging King of Britain King Lear-Aging King of Britain Cordelia-Lear’s youngest daughter, disowned for refusing to flatter him Cordelia-Lear’s youngest daughter, disowned for refusing to flatter him Kent-Nobleman who is loyal to Lear, but outspoken Kent-Nobleman who is loyal to Lear, but outspoken Gloucester-Nobleman to Lear, suffers a parallel fate Gloucester-Nobleman to Lear, suffers a parallel fate Edgar-Gloucester’s older legitimate son Edgar-Gloucester’s older legitimate son Fool- Lear’s court jester who gives important advice Fool- Lear’s court jester who gives important advice

Characters- Evil Edmund-Gloucester’s Bastard Son who resents his position; cunning in his schemes Edmund-Gloucester’s Bastard Son who resents his position; cunning in his schemes Regan (wife of Cornwall) and Goneril (wife of Albany)- Lear’s daughters who are interested in power and do not care about their father Regan (wife of Cornwall) and Goneril (wife of Albany)- Lear’s daughters who are interested in power and do not care about their father