6. Lear’s Final Moments

Question 1

Quote:

Answer 1

“Lear: And my poor fool is hanged! No, no, no life!
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all? Thou’lt come no more,
Never, never, never, never, never!” (Act 5, Scene 3)

Question 2

A01:

Answer 2

Lear’s final moments encapsulate the ultimate tragedy of his journey, marked by profound grief and recognition of his losses. His despair over Cordelia’s death reveals his deep love and regret, emphasizing the irreversible consequences of his earlier actions and decisions. This moment serves as the tragic climax, highlighting the themes of loss, redemption, and the human condition.

Question 3

A02:

Answer 3

The rhetorical question, “Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, And thou no breath at all?” underscores Lear’s sense of injustice and the arbitrary nature of death. The imagery of animals having life while his Fool does not serves to intensify Lear’s emotional turmoil. The juxtaposition of the animate (dog, horse, rat) with the inanimate (Cordelia) underscores the senselessness and cruelty of her death. The raw, fragmented syntax reflects Lear’s disordered state of mind and the depth of his anguish, emphasizing the emotional intensity and tragedy of the scene.

Moreover, the use of repetition in “Never, never, never, never, never!” further amplifies Lear’s grief and the finality of death. The gradual elongation of “never” emphasizes the eternal absence Lear feels, reinforcing the permanence of his loss. Shakespeare’s use of such linguistic devices effectively conveys Lear’s emotional state and emphasizes the theme of mortality and the unfairness of life’s fleeting nature.

Question 4

A03:

Answer 4

In the context of Elizabethan beliefs, the death of an innocent and virtuous character like Cordelia serves as a poignant critique of the corruption and brutality within the play’s world. Lear’s grief would resonate deeply with contemporary audiences, reflecting broader societal anxieties about justice, morality, and the consequences of personal and political misjudgments. This moment underscores the play’s exploration of the fragility of human life and the devastating impact of loss.

Furthermore, Lear’s rhetorical question about animals having life while the Fool does not speaks to the play’s exploration of social hierarchy and the arbitrary distribution of fate. Despite Lear’s earlier hubris and folly, his genuine grief for the Fool underscores his humanity and capacity for deep emotional connection. This scene thus marks a pivotal moment in Lear’s character development, revealing his vulnerability and the profound impact of loss on his psyche.

Lear’s outpouring of grief here encapsulates his realization of mortality and the fragility of human existence, themes central to the tragedy.

Question 5

A05:

Answer 5

Moreover, Lear’s rhetorical question, “Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, And thou no breath at all?” underscores the arbitrary nature of fate and the lack of justice in the distribution of life and death. The imagery of animals possessing life while the Fool does not emphasizes the theme of fortune’s capriciousness, where individuals are subject to forces beyond their control.