Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Lear - Coggle Diagram
Lear
Love Test
When Lear announces he wants to hand over his reign in order to have time to relax in his older years, he seems to be acting wisely.
Flaw: he wishes to divide his kingdom between his three daughters on the basis of a childish love test.
-
Two daughters take advantage of this, and indulge Lear in everything he wants to hear, flattery, love, devotion.
Cordelia, his favourite, who truly loves him, refuses to stoop to this level of this foolish game. Lear's pride is wounded
Lear shows some defects in his character immediately as he banishes his most loyal servant Kent and his beloved daughter Cordelia.
It is ironic that Lear's evil daughters inherit his wealth. They note that Lear has always been "rash" and lacking self-knowledge, "he hath ever but slenderly known himself". They agree that his flaws will not get in the way of them becoming powerful.
Storm Scenes
Central event in Lear's story occurs when he is thrown out onto the heath and experiences all types of suffering - physical, psychological and moral.
He is forced to endure repeated humiliations and a great deal of physical hardship. With this he loses mental faculties and succumbs to a state of madness.
-
Lear's decision to divide his kingdom caused disorder, which caused a domino effect of disorder.
It could be said that Lear is almost possessed by the storm, as he mirrors the destructive nature of the storm.
During the storm Lear is surrounded by people who have endured great deals of pain and suffering, whom are used in different ways to illuminate aspects of his situation. The Fool reminds Lear that he is also a "fool" who has given all his authority to the wrong people.
Beginning
-
He has received much flattery which has clouded his judgement and generated moral blindness within his character.
He lives in a very high class, privileged world, sheltered from any form of distress or suffering.
-