King Lear

1. King Lear L.O. Deterioration

2. L.O. Deterioration • The movement through Lear’s three scenes (storm) is a progressive diminuendo of power (with a corresponding increase of pathos). • Lear’s language goes from verse to prose. • The progressive lowering of poetic pitch accompanies the development of Lear’s mind (degenerative). • The prose we end up with is at once calmer and yet more mad.

3. L.O. Deterioration For Lear the connection between man and nature is breaking down. The sadism of the elements (their horrible pleasure) may reflect that of his daughters, but the storm’s violence is simply violence – not unkindness.

4. L.O. Deterioration Once the grand order of nature has been destroyed all discord follows. • Political society is in chaos • The world of ‘man’ has no stability • The distinction between sanity and insanity disappears • Justice becomes a ludicrous pretence

5. L.O. Deterioration The blinding of Gloucester is an important and barbaric moment in ‘King Lear’. It demonstrates man’s (and woman’s) capacity for beastliness. It is horrific for the audience and yet we are reminded that ‘Who alone suffers, suffers most i’th’mind’ – and so Lear’s suffering is greater than this obvious horror

6. L.O. Deterioration The sub-plot remains subordinate to the main plot. Gloucester’s blinding does not challenge the order of things, we are shocked by the nature of his fate, but not surprised that, that is his fate. With Lear, we do not know clearly what is wrong and what is right. There is more depth to the quandary of Lear. What Lear sees more clearly makes his blinder still.