Two key scenes from King Lear by William Shakespeare Essay Example

much to the disappointment and anguish of the old and fragile King. Though Cordelia’s words were more restrained and devoid of exaggeration, it is she who proves the more worthy of the siblings, as she comes to the King’s rescue and protect, especially when the latter finds himself in dire need of it. The scene is also significant in respect of its introduction of Edward, the illegitimate son ofGloucester, who would mastermind a conniving scheme to undermine the fortunes of his elder brother Edgar. Hence, the first scene of the first act is important for the overall development of plot, its character and the theme.

Act 3 Scene 2

The second scene of the third act is not only a key passage for the play but also finds a place in the Shakespearean canon. Here, King Lear, disillusioned with the treatment meted out to him by his two elder daughters, finds himself without an abode. Not only is his very life threatened in these circumstances but he is also pushed to the brink of sanity by the immediately preceding events. It is in this scene that the disgruntled King, being subject to the hardships of a ravaging thunderstorm utters those powerful words of wisdom. For example, the following lines are memorable for the tragic effect they induce in the audience.

“Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain!
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:
I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness;
I never gave you kingdom, call’d you children,
You owe me no subscription: then let fall
Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave,
A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old

man:
But yet I call you servile ministers,
That have with two pernicious daughters join’d
Your high engender’d battles ‘gainst a head
So old and white as this. O! O! ’tis foul!”

Here, King Lear is addressing Mother Nature herself, as he tries to make sense of the chaos and destruction that is both within and without. It is important to note that the tumult of wind and rain is related to personal betrayal by one’s own children. The remains of the King’s entourage, including Edgar and the fool, provide suitable backdrop to the scene. As the King continues to pour out his grief the fool interludes with his wise observations and remarks that adds to the overall dramatic effect. Although the climax of the plot was to come much later in the play, this scene is the most impressive for its poignant depiction of personal tragedy. The scene sets the tone for the impending realization and reconciliation with the faithful of the three daughters Cordelia. The poignancy also emerges from the loyalty shown by the King’s companions, especially Kent, who serves his King incognito.

In most of Shakespeare’s plays, the rulers are portrayed to be in a state of mental stress. This is particularly true with respect to the two plays – King Lear and Measure for Measure. King Lear, which is a tragedy, is full of expressions of anguish and pathos by the old king, whose mental faculties are disintegrating by the day. After dividing his kingdom between his two elder daughters Goneril and Regan (who betray his trust), the former king becomes a lonely figure disillusioned with filial love and

duty. In a hasty act, he also disowns his youngest daughter Cordelia and ends up without physical and emotional security and care, barring his retinue of one hundred Knights. This situation bears very heavily upon his already weak mental condition and in this state he pours out some of the most heart-wrenching words of anguish and despair. (Beauregard, 2008, p.201) In this respect, the following observation by critic Barbara Ann Lukacs is valid:

“By .