While Shakespeare uses the physical concept of nature and natural occurrences in conjunction with the emotions and actions of characters, he also uses the nature in a figurative sense to portray human behavior and to develop certain characters. My face I’ll grime with filth, blanket my loins, elf all my hairs in knots, and with presented nakedness outface the winds and persecutions of the sky.” by comparing Edgar in disguise to a beast, Shakespeare highlights Edgar’s relationship to the wilderness during his time as ‘Poor Tom’. As Edgar proclaims, “Brought near to beast. Shakespeare also uses the comparison of Edgar to a ‘beast’ to convey his physical status in Act 2, Scene 3. I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness.” By having Lear react to a physical representation of chaos, Shakespeare creates a visual parallel between the real world chaos with the mental chaos that Lear is currently enduring. The manic Lear stands out in the storm and bellows, “Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! Spout, rain! Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. Shakespeare uses the raging storm as a reflection of Lear’s mental conflict against his gradual loss of sanity. Nature, in its literal sense, is used in Act 3 to represent and mirror the emotions and mental status of King Lear. Shakespeare uses nature, both literally and figuratively throughout King Lear to portray characters, human nature, and human society, as well as to represent the emotional and physical status of characters.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |