“Power is the prize, but power shall be damned by lies”

“Fate loves a fool”

King LearThree daughters.

Two liars. A king grown old, but not

wise.

King LearTragedy centering on the decline and fall of a

dysfunctional royal family

King LearAging father

(patriarch)ImperiousTyrannicalCapricious

Aging father (patriarch)

gullible

Parallel Plots

Gloucester

Each sees his children through a distorted lens, turning against the child who truly loves him, unleashing in the others greed, lust, ambition.

Aristotilian termThe error of the tragic protagonistDoes not have to be a character flaw, could be

a mistake or failure to take a particular action

Hamartia

Love, betrayal, revenge, loyalty, and foolishness

All things are not as they appearGreed and lust for power corrupt human

beings and bring their downfallFate turns humans into playthingsCandor has a sharp edgeAdvanced age and wisdom do not go hand in

handSuffering can transform a contemptible

human being into a good person

Themes

BlindnessMadnessNature and orderAnimals

Motifs

Cast of Characters- Lear: King of Britain- His daughters

- Goneril- Regan- Cordelia

- Earl of Gloucester- His sons

- Edmund (the illegitimate)- Edgar

- Kent- Cornwall

Synopsis

Act 1, Scene 1Earl of Gloucester introduces Edmund (illegitimate

son) to Earl of Kent, mentions legitimate son (Edgar).

King Lear intends to divide his power and kingdom among his three daughters:Goneril (married to Duke of Albany)Regan (married toDuke of Cornwall)Cordelia (intened to marry Duke of Burgundy)

demands they publicly profess their love for himCordelia refuses to put on a show; Goneril & Regan

get kingdomCordelia gets France, but is disinherited.Earl of Kent banished upon arguing with Lear for

his treatment of Cordelia

Act 1, Scene 2Edmund (illegitimate) decides to steal

Edgar’s (legitimate) inheritance.Fools father (Gloucester) using a fake letter.Fools Edgar as well.

Act 1, Scene 3Goneril -- bad daughter -- decides to humble

her father, orders Oswald to treat him badly.

Act 1, Scene 4The banished Earl of Kent arrives in

disguise to serve LearThe fool enters and mocks the king for

banishing his good daughter and elevating his two bad ones

OriginalHave more than thou showest,

Speak less than thou knowest

Lend less than thou owest,

Ride more than thou goest,

Learn more than thou trowest,

Set less than thou throwest,

Leave thy drink and thy whore

And keep in a door,

And thou shalt have more

Than two tens to a score.

Have more than you show,

Speak less than you know,

Lend less than you owe.

Ride more than you walk

Don’t believe everything you hear,

Don’t bet everything on one throw of the dice,

Leave behind your booze and your whore,

And stay indoors,

And you’ll end up with more

Than two tens to a twenty

Act 1, Scene 4

Modernized

Act 1, Scene 4Lear: Why no, boy. Nothing can be made out of nothing.

Act 1, Sc 1 to Cordelia: “Nothing will come of nothing.”The word nothing and the idea of “nothingness” becomes a

refrain throughout the play.

Latin: ex nihilo nihil fitExistentialism - the idea that, although there is no

controlling force in the universe (i.e. no God), individuals have the power to make their own destiny.

Nihilism - the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.

Original

Thou madest thy daughters thy mothers. For when thou gavest them the rod, and pust’st down thine own breeches

Thou hast pared thy wit o’ both sides and left nothing i’th’ middle

I am a fool. Thou art nothing.

You made your daughters into your mothers by given them all your power. That’s when you gave them the spanking paddle and pulled your pants down.

When you gave away pieces of your kingdom, it’s as if you cut off pieces on both sides of your brain and left nothing in the middle.

I’m a fool and you’re nothing

Act 1, Scene 4

Modernized

The Fool mocks the king for halving his kingdom

Act 1, Scene 4Goneril scolds Lear, demands halfing his

men.Lear decides to visit other daughter.Albany protests Goneril’s behavior, is

silenced.

Act 1, Scene 4Goneril scolds Lear, demands halfing his

men.Lear realizes her ingratitude and begs the Gods

to make her sterile“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”

Laments that maybe Cordelia’s flaw wasn’t all that bad“Oh most small fault, how ugly didst thou in Cordelia show”

Lear decides to stay with his other daughter“Who I am sure is kind and comfortable…”

Goneril sends Oswald with letter to Regan.

Act 1, Scene 5Lear sends Kent

with letter to Regan.

Fool again taunts his master, Lear.

Act 2, Scene 1Edmund tricks Edgar into appearing -- in

front of Gloucester -- to fight.Gloucester vows to legitimize Edmund and

capture/kill Edgar.Concerning Edgar: “I never got him”, meaning, “He cannot truly be my son”Concerning Edmund: “Loyal and natural boy…”, meaning: “My loyal and true son”

Act 2, Scene 1Regan and Cornwall arrive.Edmund tells Regan that Edgar was friends

with Lear’s rowdy knightsCornwall and Regan are pleased with

Edmund and take him on as a servant/companion (similar to Kent and Lear)

For you, Edmund, whose virtue and obedience doth this instant so much comment itself, you

shall be ours.

Act 2, Scene 2Outside Gloucester’s castle, Kent beats

Oswald.Kent shows some of the stubbornness and

impetuousness that led King Lear to banish him in the first place

Tyrannical Cornwall punishes Kent; Gloucester protests weakly“I’m sorry for thee friend, tis the duke’s

pleasure, whose disposition, all the world well knows, will not be rubbed nor stopped.

Kent ponders a letter from Cordelia, who knows of her father’s situation and vows to find a way to fix things

Act 2, Scene 3Edgar escapes capture

by hiding in a tree. While hiding he learns

that he is to be killed.Disguises himself as

Tom O’Bedlam; a crazy, disgusting beggar

His new name gives him a new identity.“As Edgar, I am

nothing”

Act 2, Scene 4Lear and the Fool arrive at Gloucester’s

castle (seeking Regan), sees Kent in stocks.Lear’s heart (literal)

“O, how this mother swells us toward my heart! Hysteria passio, down, thou climbing sorrow.

O me, my heart, my rising heart! But down.O Regan, she hath tied shar-toothed

unkindness, like a vulture, here. (indicates his heart)

Regan and Cornwall free Kent.

OriginalWinter’s not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way. Fathers that wear ragsDo make their children blind. But fathers that bear bagsShall see their children kind. Fortune, that arrant whoreNe’er turns the key to th’ poor. But for all this thou shalt have as many doors for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year.

This story bodes more stormy weather.

Father who wear rags

Make their children neglect them.

But fathers who are rich

Make their children kind.

Lady Luck is a fickle wore

And never gives the poor a break.

But despite all this, your daughters will give you a lot of money-or do I mean pain? –in the coming year.

Act 2, Scene 4 The Fool’s speech…foreshadowing?

Modernized

OriginalThat sir which serves and seeks for gain, And follows but for form, Will pack when it begins to rainAnd leave thee in the storm.

That gentleman who serves you only for profit

And is only superficially loyal to you

Will take off when it starts to rain

And leave you alone in the storm.

Act 2, Scene 4 The Fool’s speech…foreshadowing?

Modernized

Regan defends Goneril’s actions; Goneril arrives; they both demand he give up his retainers.

Lear rages into a storm followed by his Fool and Gloucester.

Act 2, Scene 4

Act 3, Scene 1Kent discovers that Lear is madly in the

storm.Kent asks the gentleman to inform Cordelia,

who as arrived at Dover with a French army.

OriginalContending with the fretful elements.

Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea

Or swell the curlèd water 'bove the main,

That things might change or cease. Tears his white hair,

Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,Catch in their fury and make nothing of.

Strives in his little world of man to outscorn

The to-and-fro–conflicting wind and rain.

This night—wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,

The lion and the belly-pinchèd wolf

Keep their fur dry—unbonneted he runs,

And bids what will take all.

Struggling with the wind and rain. He’s shouting at the wind to blow the earth into the sea, or make the sea flood the earth—he wants to see the world return to primal chaos. He keeps tearing out his white hair, which the blindly raging winds catch up and blow away into nothingness. Small but brave in his surroundings, he’s trying to stand up against the wind and rain blowing back and forth. He’s running bareheaded, calling for the end of the world, out there on a night like this, when even savage animals ravenous with hunger crawl under cover and hide.

Act 3, Scene 1The gentleman re Lear: ominous much?

Modernized

Act 3, Scene 2 Lear ravesIn a moment of

lucidity he realizes he is not acting normally:“My wits begin to

turn”Kent arrives, takes

him to nearby shelter.

Fool predicts bad things to happen.

Act 3, Scene 3Gloucester tells Edmund that Cornwall

forbids him to help Lear.He confides in Edmund that he will help him

anyway and bids him to go to Cornwall to distract him so he will not be aware that Gloucester is helping Lear

Edmund decides to inform on his fatherThis courtesy, forbid thee, shall the dukeInstantly know, and of that letter too.This seems a fair deserving, and must draw meThat which my father loses—no less than all.The younger rises when the old doth fall.

I’ll tell the duke right away that you’re going to see the king, which is forbidden. And I’ll tell him about the letter too. You’ll get what you deserve, and I’ll be rewarded with everything you lose—in other words, all your lands. The young generation rises while the old one falls.

Act 3, Scene 4Lear, Kent, and the Fool approach the shelter

(hovel).Fool goes in, comes out afraid of Tom

O’Bedlam (Edgar).Lear and Edgar commiserate.Gloucester appears, offers shelter, warns

Kent that Regan and Goneril want to kill Lear.

Original

Thou art the thing itself.Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.—Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here. (tears at his clothes)

You’re the real thing.The human being unburdened by the trappings of civilization is no more than a poor, naked, two-legged animal like you.Off with these clothes borrowed from animals! Let me unbutton this. (he tears at his clothes)

Act 3, Scene 4Existentialist idea?

Modernized

Original

“What has his daughters brough him to this pass?- Couldst thou save thingh?Wouldst thou give ‘em all?”

Have his daughters made him crazy like this?—Couldn’t you have kept something for yourself? Did you have to give them everything?

Act 3, Scene 4Psychoanalytic idea?

Modernized

Projection?

Act 3, Scene 4ArchetypalConsider the metaphorical resonances of:

StormsConfusionChaos

RainCleansingBaptism

Act 3, Scene 5Edmund reveals to Cornwall his father,

Gloucester’s, dealing with French army.Cornwall strips Gloucester of his title and

gives it to EdmundCornwall orders Gloucester to be arrested.Cornwall puts even more trust in Edmund,

taking him on as his own son.

Act 3, Scene 6Gloucester leaves them.Lear acts out an imaginary trial of his

daughters.Gloucester returns with warning; Kent and

Fool take sleeping Lear away.Edgar stays behind; he feels bad for the king,

even though he is suffering a similar bad situation. Who alone suffers, suffers most I’ th’ mind

The person who suffers alone suffers the most

Act 3, Scene 7Gloucester, arrested, is sent to

Regan/Cornwall.Cornwalls blinds Gloucester.A loyal servant attacks Cornwall. The servant

is killed.Other servants take Gloucester to wandering

madman (Edgar) to escape.

Act 3, Scene 7Psychoanalysis, Archetypal Criticism

Blinding??

Act 4, Scene 1Gloucester is led

to Edgar.Edgar continues

as Tom O’Bedlam, agrees to lead Gloucester to the cliffs of Dover.

Act 4, Scene 2Oswald meets Goneril and Edmund.Albany likes Cordelia’s invasion, dislikes

Gloucester’s situation.Goneril sends Edmund to Cornwall to

gather an army; hints of plot against Albany.

Messenger arrives, tells of Cornwall’s death, Gloucester’s blinding.

Aside, Goneril is jealous of Regan about Edmund.

Aside, Albany vows revenge for Gloucester.

Act 4, Scene 3In Dover, the

gentleman tells Kent about Cordelia’s reaction about Lear’s situation.

Kent says that Lear is nearby but ashamed to see his daughter, Cordelia.

Original

It is the stars,The stars above us, govern our conditions.Else one self mate and mate could not begetSuch different issues.

It must be fate that makes us who we are—otherwise someone as good as Cordelia could not possibly be related to those two witches.

Act 4, Scene 3Existentialist Idea

Modernized

Act 4, Scene 4Cordelia orders a

search party for Lear.

Albany and Cornwall’s armies approach.

Act 4, Scene 5Oswald tells Regan that

Goneril convinced Albany to fight Cordelia.

Letter from Goneril to Edmund makes Regan jealous; says that it makes more sense for Edmund to marry her now that her husband is dead

Regan gives Oswald her own token, tells him to kill Gloucester for reward.

Act 4, Scene 6Edgar convinces Gloucester that he has

jumped and survived the cliffs at Dover.Gloucester accepts his affliction.Lear appears, raving.Search party takes Lear to Cordelia.Oswald appears, attacks Gloucester, is

killed by Edgar. While dying, gives letters to Edgar.

Letters (from Goneril for Edmund) propose Albany’s death and their marriage.

Act 4, Scene 7Cordelia greets Lear.Lear mistakes her for a spirit.Kent and the gentleman talk about upcoming

battle.

Act 5, Scene 1Regan corners Edmund about Goneril.Edgar appears, in disguise, gives Albany

letters; proposes a challenger after the battle to prove/disprove letters.

Edmund needs Albany’s military leadership but hopes he dies after battle.

Albany has proposed mercy, Edmund will not allow it.

Act 5, Scene 2Edgar goes to fight in battle.Fleeing soldiers, and Edgar, pass by

Gloucester, informing him of Cordelia and Lear’s defeat and capture.

Gloucester and Edgar flee.

Act 5, Scene 3Edmund sends Cordelia and Lear to prison

(with orders to have them killed in an apparent murder-suicide).

Albany, Regan, Goneril arrive.Albany arrests Edmund and Goneril for

treason.Regan is poisoned, leaves.

Edgar appears in full armor, fights Edmund, who is wounded.

Albany shows letter, Goneril leavesDying Edmund confesses.Edgar reveals himself, tells of his revelation

to Gloucester, which shocked and killed him.

Act 5, Scene 3

And then…

A report arrives that Goneril poisoned Regan and killed herself.

Soldier is sent to stop Lear and Cordelia’s deaths.

Lear carries in Cordelia’s body, mad again.

Edmund dies.

FinallyAlbany will return

kingdom to Lear.Lear “sees” Cordelia

breathing, then dies.Albany orders

funerals, Kent and Edgar to assist in ruling kingdom.

Kent predicts his own death.

Aside – Private words that a character in a play speaks to the audience or to another character and that are not supposed to be overheard by others onstage. Stage directions usually tell when a speech is an aside.

Soliloquy – A long speech in which a character who is usually alone onstage expresses his or her private thoughts or feelings.

Monologue – A long formal speech made by a character in a play. A monologue may be directed at another character or the audience.

Dramatic Conventions