Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in King Lear
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King Lear by William Shakespeare
Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale
King Lear is one of the most complex plays written by Shakespeare, with its many characters, disguises, and surprising outcomes. HE examines universal themes such as the dangers of foolishness and manipulation, the consequences of greed, and the bittersweet happiness of redemption and reconciliation.
Storyboard Description
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in King Lear
Storyboard Text
- EXAMPLES
- LEAR AND GLOUCESTER'S BLINDNESS
- THE STORM
- DISGUISES
- CLASSICAL CULTURES
- Both King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester miss the obvious devotion and love of their honest children in favor of the flattery and lies of their others, leading to ruin and death. Gloucester suffers a physical blindness at the hands of Cornwall. He is left to wander, seeing for the first time the error of his decision.
- When King Lear realizes the true character of his daughters and his mistake of disinheriting Cordelia, a great storm begins to rage. It mirrors his own inner turmoil, along with the imbalance of power in the Great Chain of Being. Because the crown is in crisis, the heavens are revolting.
- Both Edgar and Kent use disguises. Kent wants to protect Lear from his evil daughters. He becomes the King’s faithful servant, maintaining communication with Cordelia. Edgar disguises himself as a beggar to escape his father’s wrath. He maintains his disguise until he defeats Edmund in a proper fight.
- Characters reference various Greek and Roman gods and ideas. King Lear often calls out to the gods for patience or in anger. Edgar references Nero. King Lear calls Edgar a “Greek philosopher” and finds kinship with him because Lear is beginning to slip into rambling madness.
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