3. Lear on the Heath Flashcards
Quote:
“Lear: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!” (Act 3, Scene 2)
A02:
The imperative verbs (“blow,” “crack,” “spout”) and the violent imagery reflect Lear’s rage and impotence. The storm serves as a physical manifestation of Lear’s psychological state, emphasizing the chaos and disorder within his mind and the kingdom. The elemental imagery underscores the play’s exploration of nature and the human condition, as well as the theme of suffering and redemption.
Lear personifies the winds, calling them to “spout” cataracts and hurricanoes. This personification intensifies the sense of brutality as natural elements are invoked not just as forces of nature but as instruments of wrathful vengeance.
A03:
Lear’s command to the winds and storms reflects his psychological state. His broken mind seeks a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil, projecting his emotional suffering onto the external world. This reflects themes of madness and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
Lear’s command to the winds and storms reflects his psychological state. His broken mind seeks a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil, projecting his emotional suffering onto the external world. This reflects themes of madness and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
A04:
The quote is written in verse, specifically in iambic pentameter. This formal structure contrasts with the chaotic and violent imagery Lear uses. The juxtaposition highlights Lear’s attempt to impose order and control over his chaotic emotions through structured language, even as he calls for destruction.
Beyond literal destruction, Lear’s commands to the winds and storms metaphorically represent his desire to overturn societal norms and structures. The destruction of steeples and drowning of cocks symbolize the collapse of religious and temporal order, reflecting Lear’s rejection of conventional authority and his descent into primal urges.
A05:
Lear’s invocation of natural forces to wreak havoc can be seen as an expression of hubris. His attempt to control and command nature reflects a disregard for natural order and consequences. This theme of hubris and divine retribution aligns with Shakespearean tragedies where characters face catastrophic consequences for defying cosmic or moral laws.
Existentialist readings might emphasize Lear’s confrontation with the indifferent forces of nature, highlighting themes of human suffering, existential despair, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
