King Lear Critics Flashcards
What does Shapiro say about the Basilicon Dorun?
“political handbook […] warning about the dangers of dividing territory among children”
What did James I express as his fear for his son?
“the seed of division and discord”
What does Shapiro say about the instability under James?
“cultural fault-lines which emerged under the new and unfamiliar reign”
What does Elton say about Cordelia as a religious symbol?
“Christ-like figure, therefore her downfall is a direct representation of a god-less society”
What does McLaughlin say drives Lear’s daughters and Edmund?
“the need to achieve social, personal and sexual power”
What does Asimov say about the fool?
“the great secret of the successful fool is that he is no fool at all”
How does Shapiro describe Shakespeare’s use of pre existing stories?
“literary architect”
What does Smith say about Nahum Tate’s adaptation?
“ameliorated the shock of the ending”
What does Tracy say about Lear’s realisation?
“fumbles [into] anagnorisis”
What does Bradley think about the play?
“monstrously unjust”
How does Bruce suggest the play isn’t Lear’s fault?
“Lear’s actions are a catalyst, not a cause”
What does Shapiro say linking the evil in the play to Harsnett’s declaration?
“what people do each other is more cruel than anything thought up by devils”
What does Burns say about Edmund and his societal character?
“bastards are evil in Renassance drama”
What does McLuskie say about women?
“women with opinions frighten men”
What does Kahn say about masculinity?
“tragedy of masculinity”
What does Foakes say about Lear (sympathetic)?
“victim of violent forces in an uncaring society”
What does Foakes say about what drives Lear and his family?
” both sisters, like their father, enjoy power”
How does Burns divide Cordelia from her sisters?
“demonic opposites of their saintly younger sister”
What does Woods say about sanity in the play?
“individuals lose their sense of self and go mad”
What does Knight say about Lear’s mind?
“Lear is mentally a child, in passion a titan”
What does Cunningham say about what Lear and Gloucester gain through their experiences?
Gloucester finds sight through blindness, and Lear finds wisdom through madness”
