King Lear: Nothing and the Fool

Mitchell Mahood

Raphael KohDaniel AllenDylan Seago

Meaghan Horsley

Seminar PresentationENG 4U5

Nothing’s a Fool

Nothing = Everything

Fool = Wise

Overview• Significance of "Nothing"

o Act 1 - 2 by Mitchell Mahoodo Act 3 - 5 by Raphael Koh

• Significance of "Fool"o Act 1 by Daniel Alleno Act 2 - 3 by Dylan Seagoo Act 4 - 5 by Meaghan Horsley

SCRIPT

Sympathy/Pathos for a character Character DevelopmentRelationshipsImages/MotifsPlot/SettingThemes

Themes• Justice

o "It is up to human beings to administer justice in the world. "

• Authority VS Chaoso "Once authority is lost, chaos will reign. "

• Richnesso "You must be poor to be rich. "

• Appearance VS Realityo "Things are not what they appear to be."

The Significance of

The Significance of NothingParts of Play: Acts 1, 2

Presenter: Mitchell Mahood

The Significance of Nothing

A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord.KING LEAR: Nothing!CORDELIA: Nothing.KING LEAR: Nothing will come of nothing: speak again.

(I.i.86)

• Character Development• Sympathy

Right noble Burgundy,When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she

stands:If aught within that little seeming substance,Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced,And nothing more, may fitly like your grace,She's there, and she is yours.

(I.i.200)

The Significance of Nothing

• Sympathy• Relationships

The Significance of NothingBURGUNDY:Royal Lear,Give but this portion which yourself proposed,And here I take Cordelia by the hand,Duchess of Burgundy.KING LEAR: Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm.

(I.i.241)

• Sympathy• Relationships

The Significance of NothingGLOUCESTER: Why so earnestly seek you to

put up that letter?EDMUND: I know no news, my lord.GLOUCESTER: What paper were you reading?EDMUND: Nothing, my lord.

(I.ii.28)

• Plot

The Significance of NothingNo? What needed, then, that terribledispatch of it into your pocket? the quality of

nothinghath not such need to hide itself. Let's see:

come, if itbe nothing, I shall not need spectacles.

(I.ii.32)

• Plot

The Significance of NothingWe have seen the best of our time: machina-tions, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous

disorders,follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out thisvillain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do itcarefully. And the noble and true-hearted Kentbanished! his offence, honesty! 'Tis strange.

(I.ii.118)

• Plot

The Significance of NothingI am no honest man if there be any good

meaningtowards you: I have told you what I have seen

andheard; but faintly, nothing like the image and

horrorof it: pray you, away.

(I.ii.179)• Plot• Character Development

The Significance of NothingLeave thy drink and thy whore,And keep in-a-door,And thou shalt have moreThan two tens to a score.KENT: This is nothing, fool.Fool: Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd

lawyer;you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no

useof nothing, nuncle?Lear: Why no, boy. Nothing can be made of

nothing.(I.iv.137)

• Character Development

The Significance of NothingFool: I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters

are:they'll have me whipped for speaking true,

thou'lthave me whipped for lying; and sometimes I

amwhipped for holding my peace. I had rather be

anykind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be

thee,nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides,

and leftnothing i' the middle: here comes one o' the

parings.(I.iv.189)

The Significance of NothingFool: Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou

hadst noneed to care for her frowning; now thou art an

Owithout a figure: I am better than thou art now;

I ama fool, thou art nothing.[To GONERIL.] Yes,

forsooth,I will hold my tongue; so your face bids me,

thoughyou say nothing.

(I.iv.195)

The Significance of NothingHave you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of

Cornwall?He's coming hither; now, i' the night, i' the

haste,And Regan with him: have you nothing saidUpon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?Advise yourself.

(II.i.26)

The Significance of Nothing...super-serviceable finical rogue; one-trunk-

inheritingslave; one that wouldst be a bawd, in way of

goodservice, and art nothing but the composition of

aknave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son

and heir ofa mongrel bitch (II.ii.25)• Character

Development

The Significance of NothingKENT:Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, yetthe moon shines; I'll make a sop o' the

moonshine ofyou: draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-

monger, draw.[Drawing his sword.]OSWALD: Away! I have nothing to do with

thee.(II.ii.35) • Plot

The Significance of NothingApproach, thou beacon to this under globe,That by thy comfortable beams I mayPeruse this letter! Nothing almost sees

miraclesBut misery: I know 'tis from Cordelia,Who hath most fortunately been inform'dOf my obscured course;

(II.ii.168)• Theme - Richness

The Significance of NothingThat's something yet: Edgar I nothing am.

(II.iii.21)

• Character Development

• Sympathy

The Significance of NothingParts of Play: Acts 3 - 5

Presenter: Raphael Koh

The Significance of NothingTears 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 out-

scornThe to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.

(III.i.9)

• Imagery• Sympathy• Symbolism - Chaos

The Significance of NothingNo, I will be the pattern of all patience;I will say nothing.

(III.ii.38)

• Character Development• Theme - Authority VS Chaos

The Significance of NothingGo to; say nothing.

(III.iii.8)

• Nothing = Everything• Plot - Foreshadowing• Relationship• Sympathy

The Significance of NothingLear: Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give ‘em

all? Fool: Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all

shamed.Lear: Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air

Hang o'er men's faults light on thy daughters!Kent: He hath no daughters, sir.Lear: Death, traitor; nothing could have subdued nature

To such lowness but his unkind daughters. (III.iv.64)

• Plot – Dramatic Irony • Sympathy • Character Development • Motif - Madness

The Significance of NothingThe wretch that thou hast blown unto the

worst Owes nothing to thy blasts.

(IV.i.9)

• Character Development• Plot - Foreshadowing

The Significance of NothingY’are much deceived: in nothing am I

changedBut in my garments.

(IV.vi.9)

• Nothing = Everything• Plot - Dramatic Irony

The Significance of Nothing'There is nothing done, if he return the con-queror: then I am the prisoner, and his bed my jail; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour.’

(IV.vi.269)

• Nothing = Everything• Plot

The Significance of NothingThere is my pledge: I‘ll make it on thy heart, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Than I have here proclaimed thee.

(V.iii.95)

• Plot• Theme - Justice

The Significance of

The Significance of FoolParts of Play: Act 1

Presenter: Daniel Allen

The Significance of Foolwe make guilty of our disastersthe sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were

villains bynecessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves,thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance;drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced

obedi-ence of planetary influence;

(I.ii.123).• Fate/Freewill• Character• Sympathy

The Significance of FoolA credulous father! and a brother noble,Whose nature is so far from doing harms,That he suspects none: on whose foolish honestyMy practices ride easy! I see the business.Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:All with me's meet that I can fashion fit.

(I.ii.183)• Motif - Betrayal• Plot

The Significance of FoolDid my father strike my gentlemanfor chiding of his fool?

(I.iii.1)

• Relationship

The Significance of FoolIdle old man,That still would manage those authoritiesThat he hath given away! Now, by my life,Old fools are babes again; and must be used With checks as flatteries,--when they are seen

abused.Remember what I tell you.

(I.iii.17)• Relationship• Character

The Significance of FoolFollow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like theeno worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool?Go you, and call my fool hither.

(I.iv.41)

• Plot - Reunited• Character - Impatience

The Significance of FoolThou but rememberest me of mine own con-ception: I have perceived a most faint neglect of

late;which I have rather blamed as mine own jealouscuriosity than as a very pretence and purpose of

un- kindness: I will look further into't. But where's myfool? I have not seen him this two days.

(I.iv.67)

• Relationship - Fool & Cordelia• Character - Flattery

The Significance of FoolFool: Mark it, nuncle:Have 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 moreThan two tens to a score.KENT: This is nothing, fool.

(I.iv.119)

• Fool = Wise• Opposite

The Significance of FoolPrithee, tell him, so much the rentof his land comes to: he will not believe a

fool.(I.iv.36)

• Character Development - Stubborn

The Significance of FoolLEAR: A bitter fool! Fool: Dost thou know the difference, my

boy,between a bitter fool and a sweet fool?

(I.iv.139)

• Character Development - Criticism

• Relationship

The Significance of FoolThat lord that counsell'd theeTo give away thy land,Come place him here by me,Do thou for him stand:The sweet and bitter foolWill presently appear;The one in motley here,The other found out there.

(I.iv.142)

The Significance of FoolKING LEAR: Dost thou call me fool, boy? Fool: All thy other titles thou hast given away;

thatthou wast born with.

(I.iv.150)

• Character - Criticism

The Significance of FoolThis is not altogether fool, my lord.

(I.iv.153)

• Fool = Wise

The Significance of FoolNo, faith, lords and great men will not let

me;if I had a monopoly out, they would have

part on't:and ladies too, they will not let me have all

foolto myself; they'll be snatching. Give me anegg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns.

(I.iv.154)

• Character - Foolish

The Significance of Fool[Singing.]Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;For wise men are grown foppish,They know not how their wits to wear,Their manners are so apish.

(I.iv.167)

• Character - Foolish

The Significance of FoolThen they for sudden joy did weep,And I for sorrow sung,That such a king should play bo-peep,And go the fools among.Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can

teachthy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.

(I.iv.176)

• Character - Foolish• Relationship - Loyalty

The Significance of FoolI marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are:they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lthave me whipped for lying; and sometimes I amwhipped for holding my peace. I had rather be anykind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be

thee,nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and

leftnothing i' the middle: here comes one o' the

parings. (I.iv.183)

• Character - Ruthless

The Significance of FoolThou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst noneed to care for her frowning; now thou art an Owithout a figure: I am better than thou art now; I

ama fool, thou art nothing.

(I.iv.192)

• Relationship - Swap• Character

The Significance of FoolNot only, sir, this your all-licensed fool,But other of your insolent retinueDo hourly carp and quarrel; breaking

forthIn rank and not-to-be endured riots.

(I.iv.201)

• Relationship - Swap• Character

Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool with thee.

A fox, when one has caught her,And such a daughter,Should sure to the slaughter,If my cap would buy a halter:So the fool follows after.

(I.iv.318)

• Character - Loyalty

The Significance of Fool

The Significance of FoolYes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good

fool. (I.v.38)

• Character - Foresight

The Significance of FoolParts of Play: Acts 2, 3

Presenter: Dylan Seago

The Significance of FoolKnowing nought, like dogs, but

following.A plague upon your epileptic visage! ━Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain,I'd drive ye cackling home to Camelot.

(II.ii.74)• Character Development

The Significance of FoolNone of these rogues and cowardsBut Ajax is their fool.

(II.ii.127)

• Plot

The Significance of FoolYou see me here, you gods, a poor old

man,As full of grief as age; wretched in both!If it be you that stir these daughters'

heartsAgainst their father, fool me not so muchTo bear it tamely; touch me with noble

anger,And let not women's weapons, water-

drops,Stain my man's cheeks!

(II.iv.269)

• Character Development

The Significance of FoolYou think I'll weepNo, I'll not weep:I have full cause of weeping; but this

heartShall break into a hundred thousand

flaws,Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!

(II.iv.279)• Plot

The Significance of FoolO nuncle, court holy-water in a dryhouse is better than this rain-water out o'

door.Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters'

blessing:here's a night pities neither wise man nor

fool.(III.ii.10)• Relationship

The Significance of FoolNone but the fool; who labours to out-

jestHis heart-struck injuries.

(III.i.16)• Fool = wise

The Significance of FoolMarry, here's grace and a cod-piece;

that's awise man and a fool.

(III.ii.40)• Fool = wise

The Significance of FoolLet go thy hold when a great wheel

runsdown a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it:

butthe great one that goes up the hill, let him draw

theeafter. When a wise man gives thee better counsel,

giveme mine again: I would have none but knaves

followit, since a fool gives it.

(II.iv.66)

• Motif• Plot• Character

The Significance of Fool

• Character• Theme

That sir which serves and seeks for gain,And follows but for form,Will pack when it begins to rain,And leave thee in the storm,But I will tarry; the fool will stay,And let the wise man fly:The knave turns fool that runs away;The fool no knave, perdy.

(II.iv.76)

The Significance of FoolKENT Where learned you this, fool?FOOL Not i' the stocks, fool.

(II.iv.84)

• Fool = wise

The Significance of Fool

• Climax• Sympathy

My wits begin to turn.Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold?I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow?The art of our necessities is strange,That can make vile things precious. Come, your hovel.

Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heartThat's sorry yet for thee.

(III.ii.67)

The Significance of FoolThis cold night will turn us all to fools

andmadmen.

(III.iv.77)

• Fools = wise• Plot

The Significance of Fool

Parts of Play: Acts 4, 5

Presenter: Meaghan Horsley

The Significance of Fool

How should this be?Bad is the trade that must play fool to

sorrow,Angering itself and others.

(IV,i,38)

• Theme - Appearances

The Significance of FoolOh the difference of man and man!To thee a woman's services are due.My fool usurps my body.

(IV,ii,29)

No more. The text is foolish.(IV,ii,38)

Fools do those villains pity who are punishedEre they have done their mischief.

(IV,ii,55)

The Significance of FoolFrance spreads his banners in our noiseless

land,With plumed helm thy state begins to

threat,Whiles thou, a moral fool, sits still and

cries,"Alack, why does he so?"

(IV,ii,59)

O vain fool!(IV,ii,62)

• Character Development

The Significance of FoolWhen we are born, we cry that we

are comeTo this great stage of fools.

(IV,vi,170)

• Theme – Appearance

The Significance of FoolNo rescue? What, a prisoner? I am

evenThe natural fool of fortune.

(IV,vi,179)

• Imagery – Wheel of Fate

The Significance of FoolPray, do not mock me.I am a very foolish fond old man.

(IV,vii,58)

You must bear with me.Pray you now, forget and

forgive.I am old and foolish.

(IV,vii,85)

• Character development

The Significance of Fool

And my poor fool is hanged.(V,iii,314)

• Fool = Cordelia

Please unfasten your seat belts

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Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/troyilium/p/Ajax.htm>.

Shakespeare, William. "King Lear - William Shakespeare - Google Books."Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. <http://books.google.ca/books?id=JcsOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=king+lear+fools+do+those+villains+pity+meaning&source=bl&ots=w9q4-Eirp2&sig=uIlVKfvuUnLWR0zmYd01M2j5nvQ&hl

Shakespeare, William. "Act II." As you like it;. [Rev. ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1954. Scene vii. Print.

"SparkNotes: King Lear: Themes, Motifs & Symbols." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/lear/themes.html>.