king lear Flashcards
describe what happens in act 1
King Lear begins as the Earl of Gloucester introduces his illegitimate son,edmund, to the Earl of Kent. Lear, King of Britain, enters with his court. they have the love test. Misunderstanding his daughter, Lear disowns and banishes her from the kingdom. He also banishes the Earl of Kent, who had taken Cordelia’s side against the King.
This action by the king divides the kingdom, both figuratively and literally. Cordelia’s suitor, the Duke of Burgundy, rejects her once she is dowerless, but the King of France values her honesty and takes her as his wife. Lear’s kingdom is shared between Goneril and Regan and their suitors. Lear plans to alternate living with each of them.
describe what happens in act 2
Meanwhile, Edmund is determined to be recognised as a rightful son of Gloucester. By a trick, he persuades his father that his legitimate brother, Edgar, is plotting against Gloucester’s life. Warned by Edmund that his life is in danger, Edgar flees and takes the disguise of a Bedlam beggar. Edmund becomes a courtier to Goneril. Goneril meanwhile grows increasingly exasperated by the behaviour of Lear’s hundred companions who are upsetting her life at Albany’s castle, and she criticises her father.
Kent has returned from exile in disguise and wins a place as a servant to Lear. Kent accompanies Lear when, in a rage against her criticisms, he curses Goneril and leaves. Lear goes, unannounced, to live with Regan and Cornwall who, it turns out, have gone out to visit Gloucester. When Lear arrives at Gloucester’s house to find Regan, she spurns him and his followers, namely his devoted companion, the Fool.
describe what happens in act 3
Despairing for his daughters, and deeply regretting rejecting Cordelia, Lear goes mad at the height of a great storm. He and the Fool run wild on the heath until Gloucester takes them into a hut for shelter. He then seeks the aid of Kent to get them away to the coast, where Cordelia has landed with a French army to fight for her father against her sisters and their husbands. Gloucester then leaves and returns home.
Meanwhile, Edmund is employed as a messenger between the sisters and is courted by each in turn. He persuades Cornwall that Gloucester (his father) is an enemy because he has been in touch with France and helped Lear and when they are turned away by Regan. As punishment for Gloucester’s seeming betrayal, Cornwall and Regan pluck out his eyes and abandon him. During the act of blinding Gloucester, a servant stabs Cornwall, who dies. But Regan continues to rule with Edmund’s help.
describe what happens in act four
Out in the storm, Lear finds shelter where Edgar has also taken refuge, still disguised as the beggar. The Fool, the mad king, and the disguised “insane” beggar become unlikely companions before they are separated. Edgar finds Gloucester wandering the heath alone and in agony. Since his father is blind, Edgar leads the despairing man to the coast and helps him along the journey to come to an acceptance of his life. Gloucester later meets the mad Lear on Dover beach, near Cordelia’s camp. With Kent’s aid, Lear is rescued and re-united with Cordelia. Gloucester, now reunited with Edgar, dies quietly alone.
describe what happens in act five
The French forces are overcome by Albany’s army led by Edmund, and Lear and Cordelia are captured. Goneril has already poisoned Regan in their jealous rivalry over Edmund’s attention. Edgar, disguised now as a loyal knight, challenges Edmund to a duel and wounds him mortally. Seeing no way out, Goneril kills herself, and the dying Edmund confesses his misdeeds and releases Cordelia. However, it is too late to save Cordelia from the hangman. Lear’s heart breaks as he carries the body of his beloved youngest daughter in his arms, and he dies. Albany and Edgar are left to re-organise the kingdom and resolve the civil wars.
there is no way for her to fully express her love for him, indicating that her sisters are being fake. she loves him according to their bond - contractual
i cannot heave my heart into my mouth. i love your majesty according to my bond, no more no less
1,1
shows his perception of himself when everyone else sees him as an old man. this shows his hubris and blindness
come not between the dragon and his wrath 1,1
explicitly stating that she was the favourite, showing how quickly he changes his mind his anger. viewed her as the kinder and more caring of all the sisters
i loved her most and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery
jewels are beautiful but sharp and cold. cordelia starts the play able to see the truth, showing that the events weren’t necessary for her and reinforcing the idea of her as representative of christian values
the jewels of our father, with washed eyes cordelia leaves you 1,1
shows the difference between the two sisters. they are by themselves, allowing them to scheme together and be honest.
r - we shall further think of it. g - we must do something in the heat 1,1
aalysis of whole soliloquy: enters holding a letter - secrecy, clear recipient, can be forged etc. well put together argument - controlled yet passionate. addresses the gods
now gods, stand up for bastards 1,2
use of foreshadowing/irony - currently he is metaphorically blind to his son’s betrayal and he will later be literally blind.
i shall not need my spectacles 1,2
ironic since he thinks the edgar has betrayed him. shows how gullible gloucester believes him and views edgar as a villain. his naivety and blindness is shown through his belief in the gods and astrology
in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked twixt son and father. 1,2
ironic since the villain that he is referring to is right there.
some villain hath done me wrong 1,2
kent is expressing his loyalty to lear despite going against his orders, compare to edgar, the limitations of a disguise, he’s being as honest as possible
i do profess to be no less than i seem 1,4
