king lear context Flashcards
What does Freud say in ‘The Three Caskets’ about the uniqueness of the 3rd sisters muteness? What effect may this give?
He recalls how muteness in psychic life is typically a representation of death
So in terms of King Lear, Cordelia’s muteness could foreshadow her death
Where else does Freud say we see the idea of the third sister representing death?
Ancient Greeks believe fate is 3 sisters (moirai), the third is death
What does psychoanalysis say about King Lears fall from kingship?
His inability to mature beyond his primitive mental states initiated + fuelled his decline into madness
When did king James I unite Scotland + England
1603
What did Protestants strongly believe in?
The divine right of kings
What is the tragic triad?
pain, guilt,death
Which king is King Lear compared to?
King James I
What is Edmund?
typical machiavellian evil
What was the audience?
Jacobean audience
How does the play reflect social and economic issues of the time?
Through the portrayal of ‘Poor Tom’ being a bedlam beggar; reflects the state of poverty
Explain the kingship two bodies
The king was believed to have 2 bodies: body physical (his own body) and body politic (the kingdom)
What does Cordelia’s name mean in Latin? What does this reflect?
Cordelia means heart/warmth
This reflects Cordelia’s true warm, kind nature
Where would the play have been performed?
In courts for King James
What may King Lear be a reflection of?
Sir Brian Annesley’s 2 eldest daughter + her husband tried to have him certified as a senile lunatic so they could have his property
His youngest daughter, Cordell saved him by challenging her sister in court
What can we say about Freud?
The id, ego + superego
There isn’t really a superego for Lear; the id takes over
What can we say about Freud’s unconscious mind?
The unconscious mind possesses things were unaware of + can’t become aware of - Lear’s selfishness + foolishness comes under this
How may a feminist lens categorise Cordelia, Goneril + Regan?
Cordelia is nurturing + kind
Goneril + Regan are sly and evil
What complex may Shakespeare be giving the women in the play? What does this mean?
Freud’s madonna-whore complex
Women tend to be categorised as pure/virtuous OR manipulating + promiscuous
What do we notice about whenever a female character’s evil in the play? What might this say?
Whenever a female character does harm, it causes chaos - rather than turning stereotypes on their heads for empowerment, it does the opposite
How might a feminist audience view Goneril + Regan?
They almost have to be evil as women in order to get anywhere with what they want
How might a feminist lens view the ending?
Whenever a woman is given power, it’ll end badly due to their inability to handle situation
What is said about the wandering womb?
“Hysterica passio”
A disease afflicted w women causes Lear pain - feeling of suffocation
What is the class representation in the play?
Edmund is the lowest of the low bc of his illegitimate birth; faces social judgement
What might a marxist lens say about portrayal of Lear?
Portrayal of Lear being mad may have been seen as an attack on Lear
