King Lear; Albany Flashcards
(3 cards)
What is our First Impression of Albany?
In the play’s early stages, Albany is a passive figure. He is present in the first scene but says nothing and spends the next handful away from the dramatic events that unfold. Goneril, seems to leave him dark about her plans to antagonize Lear shown when he enters their confrontation: “Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this”? He therefore doesn’t understand why Lear is so upset: “My lord, I am guiltless as I am ignorant… What’s the matter sir”?.
Goneril and Oswald view Albany as pathetic ans spineless. Goneril calls him her “mild husband” while Oswald says calls him weak: “Madam (Goneril), your sister is the better soldier”. These bardbed comments along with a lack of screentime make many readers regard him as a weakling.
However he does criticize Goneril for her harsh treatment of Lear when he starts to realise her plan: I cannot be so partial, Goneril, / To the great love I bear you. He also cuts her off, declaring that only time will tell the consequences of her actions: “Well well, th’ event”. These actions show that Albany does in fact posess a backbone and has the potential to evolve.
Describe Albany’s Moral Conscience & Strength.
By the time Goneril returns to his castle in Act 4 scene 2, Albany wants nothing to do with her. He is disgusted by her actions: “O Goneril,/ You are not worth the dust which the rude wind / Blows in your face”. He then describes her and Regan as “Tigers, not daughters”.
Albany’s performance form this moment on is both impressive and somewhat unexpected as he emerges as a man of substance and strength. He threatens Goneril claiming that he is capable of violence if necessary: “To let these hands obey my blood… Thy flesh and bones”.
During the conflict against France, Albany emerges an assertive leader. In the final scene, he spots what Edmund is trying to do and he is quick to put him is place: “I hold you but a subject of this war, / Not as a brother”. He then puts Goneril in her place: “Shut your mouth, dame,/ Or with this paper I shall stop it”. He then publicly accusses both Edmund and Goneril of treason: “Edmund I arrest thee / On capital treason… This guilded serpent”.
Describe Albany as a Believer in Justice.
Albany comes across as a great believer in divine justice. He seems to believe that the gods will eventually punish the wicked for their crimes. Like Edgar’s, This belief is somewhat clinical. When the corpses of Goneril and Regan are brought out, he declares that they got what they deserved: “This is the judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble, / Touches us not with pity”. He then goes on to refer to Edmunds death as but a “Trifle”.
Throughout the play, Albany is determined to see justice served. In act 4, he declares that he will avenge the blinding of Gloucester: “And to recenge thine eyes. - Come hither friend: Tell me what more thou know’st”. At the plays conclusion, he declares his determination to have the good rewarded and the wicked punished: “All friends shall taste / The wages of their vitrue, and all foes / The cups of their deservings”.
The Final tragedy of Lear’s death only strengthens this resolve. He intends to make Edgar and Kent co-rulers, and declares that the new rule will be based on lessons learnt of recent events: “The weight of this sad time we must obey Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say”. Albany’s impressive determination is one of the few optimistic aspects of the play.
