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Delve into the depths of madness in Shakespeare's King Lear as political insanity and profound emotional turmoil plague the characters. Explore Lear's descent into madness and its impact on his moral blindness, set against a backdrop of destructive storms and tormented souls. Witness the tragic struggle for sanity amidst betrayal and loss in this timeless play.
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King Lear Madness
The play contains many forms of madness: • Political Insanity- Lear’s actions in Act I Scene 1 • Goneril, Regan and Cornwall’s bloodlust is an abhorrent kind of madness • The Fool’s professional madness • Edgar’s fake madness and Gloucester’s half-crazed pity Question-Does Lear’s madness cure his moral blindness?
Lear’s Madness Lear compares his madness to the torments of hell and struggles frantically to retain his wits: “O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!” The other characters try desperately to keep him sane.
Act III The storm- which reflects Lear’s madness- is appallingly destructive, almost too much for men to endure. It is difficult to see Lear’s madness as beneficial in Act V Scene 3. Having regained his wits and judgement, Lear is tormented again when Cordelia dies. In his final moments he is deluded once more, believing that his daughter still breathes.