Context Flashcards
Who was King Lear?
King Lear was an ancient pagan king in England, in the pre-christian period
How does Shakespeare know of King Lear?
From Raphael Holinshed and Geoffrey of Monmouth
How is the story of King Lear dramatised by Shakespeare?
Through tragedy
What are Aristotle’s key aspects of tragedy?
Hamartia
Peripeteia
Anagnorisis
Catharsis
What is King Lear’s hamartia?
His selfishness and avarice
What is Gloucester’s hamartia?
Selfishness and how gullible he is
What is Lear’s peripeteia?
His is kicked out of both R + G’s castles and loses his privilege
What is Gloucester’s peripeteia?
He becomes blind
What is the purpose of peripeteia?
To cause the audience to feel pathos (pity)
What is Lear’s anagnorisis?
When he is insane and realises the corruption in the storm
What is Gloucester’s anagnoisis?
When he becomes blind
What is ironic about both Lear and Gloucester’s anagnorisis?
Lear acts more sane when he is mad
Gloucester sees things more clearly, metaphorically, when he is blinded
How does King Lear evoke catharsis?
In the tragic deaths of characters
(Particularly Cordelia and Lear)
What character acts as the chorus in the play?
The Fool
What is a chorus?
In Ancient Greece, a chorus is an actor who comments and interprets the plays events
What was significant about division in the 1500’s?
The conflict between catholics and protestants
What is important about the 1500’s conflict in the play?
When the kingdom is divided, the audience already know the source of the tragedy and that it will not end well
When was King Lear first performed?
1606
Who was King during performance of king Lear?
King James
What were King James’ values and why does this mean he would like the play?
Unity, he wanted to reunite the kingdom, so would like King Lear as it exposes the folly of dividing the kingdom
What contextual doctrines maintain order?
The Great Chain of Being
The Divine Right of Kings
What are the similarities between King Lear and the Gunpowder Plot?
They both exemplify the chaos created when the Divine Right of Kings is violated
How is humanism shown in the play?
Humanism was on the rise and the nature of justice along with religious themes in the play reflect the complexities of real life
How does Shakespeare reinforce patriarchy?
R + G’s power causes chaos and disruption
