King Lear ( King Lear ) Flashcards
What is a tragic hero ?
A male character of noble birth who experiences a reversal of fortune due to a hamartia consequently evoking sympathy from an audience
Catastrophic decision to abdicate
“Know that we have divided in three our kingdom “ ( act 1 scene 1)
Appearing first to be humble
“ that future strife may be prevented”( act one scene one )
Love test
“Which of you shall say doth love us most “( act one scene one )
Climax of the play Lear faces reality by his Machiavellian daughters
The audience begins to feel sympathy for Lear
“Deny to speak to me they are sick ! They are weary.“ hubris
“They could not do it , would not dot its worse than murder”
(Act 2 scene 4 )
Symbolism of lears loss of power
“on my knees I beg “( act 2 scene 4 )
A heroic choice to endure suffering rather than allow humiliation, the suffering cleanses Lear and his hubris
“No, rather I abjure all roofs , and choose / to wage against the enormity of the air “ ( act 2 scene 4)
Lear in the storm a metaphor for his mental state and dealing with the consequences of his actions
“ drenchd our steeples , drownd the cocks”
“Rage !blow !”
“I am a man more sinned against than sinning”
(Act 3 scene 2)
King Lear’s evident learning through suffering
He has experienced a dose of reality he has been exposed to those less fortunate
“The tempest mind”
“O, I have ta’en too little care of this ! Take physic , pomp Expose thyself to feel what wrestches feel”
Lear reconciles with Cordelia and grows new priorities for love and Cordelia rather than power and his ego development of character is evident as Lear goes from hubristic and egotistical to humble and sympathetic
“ I am a very foolish fond old man “
“We two alone will sing like birds I the cage “
“Look on her , look her lips / look there , look there “
(Act 5 scene 3)
