King Lear Context

Question 1

When was the original King Leir? What differed?

Answer 1

• 1605
• No subplot and Cordelia does not die

Question 2

When was Tate’s version of Lear? What differed?

Answer 2

• 1681
• changed ending - Cordelia survives and marries Edgar

Question 3

When did Samuel Johnson write? What did he think of the play?

Answer 3

• 18th century
• too barbaric and unjust

Question 4

When and what was Basilikon Doron?

Answer 4

• 1599
• Warning by King James to not divide kingdoms
• Talked about the divine right of kings and governance of kings

Question 5

What was Shakespeare’s acting group called? What does this suggest?

Answer 5

• King James’ men
• A mark of popularity but also a directive

Question 6

What inspired the language of poor Tom?

Answer 6

Harnett’s 1603 ‘A declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures’ -> fear of Catholics

Question 7

What are 4 key characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy?

Answer 7

• Concerned primarily with one person - the tragic hero.
• The hero undergoes a sudden rehearsal of fortune
• Central impression is one of waste
• Character brought down by fatal flaw

Question 8

What was the nature of Jacobean theatre? How did Shakespeare differ?

Answer 8

• Spectacle of justice and symbolism
• Shakespeare more natural with greater psychological interest

Question 9

What underpins the barbaric punishments of King Lear?

Answer 9

The Gunpowder plot 1605 - brutal punishment - fear of overthrowing the King.

Question 10

What was the nature of King James I court?

Answer 10

Involved James promoting favourites, often men (perchance gay) such as George Villiers - payments for knighthoods.

Question 11

What Christian belief groups are growing in this period?

Answer 11

Protestants and puritans

Question 12

What was King James’ new £1 coin called? When was it created?

Answer 12

• The Unite
• 1603

Question 13

What is Goethe’s critical quote?

Answer 13

‘Every old man is a King Lear’

Question 14

What is Peter Rudynsky’s critical quote?

Answer 14

Edmund ‘operates as Goneril and Regan’s agent… the demonic half of the female body destroys the angelic counterpart’

Question 15

What is Everett’s critical quote?

Answer 15

‘In the storm scene Lear is at his most powerful’

Question 16

Who is Jan Kott? What are his two critical quotes?

Answer 16

• Polish political activist and critic (post WW2) often provides existentialist readings.
• ‘All that remains at the end of this gigantic pantomime is the earth - empty and bleeding’
• ‘suffering purified Lear and restored his tragic greatness’

Question 17

What does Dollimore say about the play?

Answer 17

‘A play all about power, property and inheritance’

Question 18

How did Nahum Tate describe the play?

Answer 18

‘A heap of jewels, unstrung and unpolished’

Question 19

What are Cunningham’s two critical quotes?

Answer 19

• ‘Gloucester finds insight through blindness’
• ‘Lear learns wisdom through madness’