Shakespeare suggests that family is the most prominent factor in stress or someone having the ability go mad. Various family members bring different personalities to certain events that cause dramatic outcomes. For example, Goneril and Regan are only concerned about fulfilling their greed for Lear's power and land. Once Lear realizes their scheme, it only enhances his level of madness. Cordelia is supposed to be the favorite daughter and bring joy to the family. But when she denies Lear of the affection he demands, Cordelia no longer fits the "perfect daughter" role. Everyone in Lear's family has stepped out of their roles in the family to fit their personalities and characters that Shakespeare has created.
Actually, I would argue that Lear doesn’t initially attempt to win Goneril and Regan’s affections, but rather, he is blind to the truth behind their public displays. Lear views the love of his family through flattery and fawning, instead of sincerity and loyalty. Such a train of thought is seen in the method he tests his daughters; he doesn’t ask which daughter loves him most, but “which of you shall we say doth love us most?” (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 49). The emphasis on “shall we say” highlights Lear’s desire for verbal doting in contrast to truthful love. As a result, Lear doesn’t yearn for the affection of his daughters; instead, the madness that results from his shallowness is Shakespeare’s commentary and warning to superficial misconceptions about family.
Yes Alex I agree with your logic. To take it a step further and answer the question of how Shakespear's commentary of the role family has on madness, I think that initially Lear did want the love of his daughters for superficial purposes. Throughout the text though we find that Lear's stance on this matter changes as he realizes that he didnt know what he had until it was gone. Alone and discarded by two of his daughters, Lear strives to regain the only true loved one, besides possibly Kent, that he ever had, Cordelia. Lear goes as far as saying that Cordelia and he should go off to prison together and pass the days away with each other ( p. 235). Lear is so mad at this point that all he can think of is maintaining the only true love he has left. Thus, Shakespear comments on the inferiority of superficial family relations to true love between family members.
I agree with Alex because in the beginning of the story I wouldn't say Lear is trying to win over their affection, rather he is assumes they have this affection for him already. The word "shall" you brought up does show his need for flattery at the beginning of the text, but as the play progresses his intentions begin to advance. Towards the end of the play when Lear is talking to Cordellia he says "We two alone will sing like birds i' th' cage" and follows this up by using the words "laugh", "sing" and "pray" (Act 5, Scene 3). The juxtaposition of the idea of having quality time with his daughter, and the joyous tone given off by "laugh", "sing" and "pray" show that Lear has realized the importance of love by the end of the play, and that he truly does need it by the end.
Shakespeare suggests that family is the most prominent factor in stress or someone having the ability go mad. Various family members bring different personalities to certain events that cause dramatic outcomes. For example, Goneril and Regan are only concerned about fulfilling their greed for Lear's power and land. Once Lear realizes their scheme, it only enhances his level of madness. Cordelia is supposed to be the favorite daughter and bring joy to the family. But when she denies Lear of the affection he demands, Cordelia no longer fits the "perfect daughter" role. Everyone in Lear's family has stepped out of their roles in the family to fit their personalities and characters that Shakespeare has created.
ReplyDeleteActually, I would argue that Lear doesn’t initially attempt to win Goneril and Regan’s affections, but rather, he is blind to the truth behind their public displays. Lear views the love of his family through flattery and fawning, instead of sincerity and loyalty. Such a train of thought is seen in the method he tests his daughters; he doesn’t ask which daughter loves him most, but “which of you shall we say doth love us most?” (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 49). The emphasis on “shall we say” highlights Lear’s desire for verbal doting in contrast to truthful love. As a result, Lear doesn’t yearn for the affection of his daughters; instead, the madness that results from his shallowness is Shakespeare’s commentary and warning to superficial misconceptions about family.
ReplyDeleteYes Alex I agree with your logic. To take it a step further and answer the question of how Shakespear's commentary of the role family has on madness, I think that initially Lear did want the love of his daughters for superficial purposes. Throughout the text though we find that Lear's stance on this matter changes as he realizes that he didnt know what he had until it was gone. Alone and discarded by two of his daughters, Lear strives to regain the only true loved one, besides possibly Kent, that he ever had, Cordelia. Lear goes as far as saying that Cordelia and he should go off to prison together and pass the days away with each other ( p. 235). Lear is so mad at this point that all he can think of is maintaining the only true love he has left. Thus, Shakespear comments on the inferiority of superficial family relations to true love between family members.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex because in the beginning of the story I wouldn't say Lear is trying to win over their affection, rather he is assumes they have this affection for him already. The word "shall" you brought up does show his need for flattery at the beginning of the text, but as the play progresses his intentions begin to advance. Towards the end of the play when Lear is talking to Cordellia he says "We two alone will sing like birds i' th' cage" and follows this up by using the words "laugh", "sing" and "pray" (Act 5, Scene 3). The juxtaposition of the idea of having quality time with his daughter, and the joyous tone given off by "laugh", "sing" and "pray" show that Lear has realized the importance of love by the end of the play, and that he truly does need it by the end.
ReplyDelete