King Lear
King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It
depicts the gradual descent into madness of the title character, after he
disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on
their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all. Derived from the
legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king, the play has
been widely adapted for the stage and motion pictures, with the title role
coveted by many of the world's most accomplished actors.
The first attribution to Shakespeare of this play, originally
drafted in 1605 or 1606 at the latest with its first known performance on St.
Stephen's Day in 1606, was a 1608 publication in a quarto of uncertain
provenance, in which the play is listed as a history; it may be an early draft
or simply reflect the first performance text. The Tragedy of King Lear, a more
theatrical revision, was included in the 1623 First Folio. Modern editors
usually conflate the two, though some insist that each version has its own
individual integrity that should be preserved.
After the English Restoration, the play was often revised
with a happy, non-tragic ending for audiences who disliked its dark and
depressing tone, but since the 19th century Shakespeare's original version has
been regarded as one of his supreme achievements. The tragedy is particularly
noted for its probing observations on the nature of human suffering and
kinship. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "No man will ever write a better
tragedy than Lear."
King Lear of Britain, elderly and wanting to retire from the
duties of the monarchy, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters,
and declares he will offer the largest share to the one who loves him most. The
eldest, Goneril, speaks first, declaring her love for her father in fulsome
terms. Moved by her flattery Lear proceeds to grant to Goneril her share as
soon as she has finished her declaration, before Regan and Cordelia have a
chance to speak. He then awards to Regan her share as soon as she has spoken.
When it is finally the turn of his youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, at
first she refuses to say anything ("Nothing, my Lord") and then
declares there is nothing to compare her love to, nor words to properly express
it; she speaks honestly but bluntly, which infuriates him. In his anger he
disinherits Cordelia and divides her share between Regan and Goneril.
The Earl of Gloucester and the Earl of Kent observe that, by
dividing his realm between Goneril and Regan, Lear has awarded his realm in
equal shares to the peerages of the Duke of Albany (Goneril's husband) and the
Duke of Cornwall (Regan's husband). Kent objects to Lear's unfair treatment of
Cordelia; enraged by Kent's protests, Lear banishes him from the country. Lear
then summons the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, who have both
proposed marriage to Cordelia. Learning that Cordelia has been disinherited,
the Duke of Burgundy withdraws his suit, but the King of France is impressed by
her honesty and marries her nonetheless. The King of France is shocked by
Lear's decision because up until this time Lear has only praised and favored
Cordelia ("That she, women even but now was your best object, the argument
of your praise, balm of your age").Meanwhile, Gloucester has introduced
his illegitimate son Edmund to Kent.
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