King Lear; Clothing & Nakedness

Question 1

What are the 3 types of Clothes and Nakedness themes that occur in “King Lear”?

Answer 1

1. Fancy Clothes
2. Disguise
3. Nakedness

Question 2

Why and How is Clothing, Disguise and Nakedness used throughout “King Lear”?

Answer 2

Shakespere uses fancy clothes, disguide and nakedness to do a number of things. He critiques social rank, he shows the dichotomy between inner and outer identity and also emphasizes human vulnerability.

Fancy clothing tends to be associeted with insincerity and falsity, the clothes of thr rich and powerful seen as a symbol of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile for virtuous characters, disguise becomes a necessity in order to disguise and function.

Question 3

What are 3 quotes that showcase Fancy Clothing?

Answer 3

1. Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; / Robes and furred gowns hide all.
2. Plate sin with gold, / And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; / Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.
3. “Off, off, you lendings!”.

Question 4

Give some context to the quotes Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; / Robes and furred gowns hide all

Answer 4

At the countryside near Dover, Lear makes a very wise insight. He comments that since those in fancy clothes have more power, their gowns are able to shield their short-comings, but those who can’t hide behind fancy attire don’t get this pleasure: Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; / Robes and furred gowns hide all.

Question 5

Give some context to the quote Plate sin with gold, / And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; / Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.

Answer 5

After his initial comment on fancy clothes, Lear goes on to describe his previous statement with a great metaphor. Plate sin with gold, / And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; / Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it

So, If you are in fancy clothes covered in gold, the metaphorical lances of justice are unable to pierce you because of your protection, yet those armed in rags are victim to but unjust pygmy straws.

Question 6

Give some context to the quote Off, off, you lendings!.

Answer 6

In The Storm, Lear has a great urge to rid himself of his fancy clothes as he has become appaled with what they represent rathering even nakedness over their protection: Off, off you lendings! Instead he opts to crown himself in leaves, flowers and weeds in order to show his contempt for his former regal clothing.

Question 7

What are 3 quotes that showcase Disguise?

Answer 7

1. Kent disguising: If but as well I other accents borrow… For which I razes my likeness
2. Edgar disguising: Edgar I nothing am
3. Gloucester to Poor Tom (Edgar in Disguise) Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I’d say I had eyes again

Question 8

Give some context to the quote If but as well I other accents borrow… For which I razes my likeness.

Answer 8

Kent is forced to disguise himself in order to escape the death sentence and to serve the king: If but as well I other accents borrow… For which I razes my likeness.

Question 9

Give some context to the quote Edgar I nothing am.

Answer 9

Edgar is obliged to disguise himself as Poor Tom in order to protect his life. As Poor tom he is something yet, while as Edgar I nothing am.

Question 10

Give some context to the quote Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I’d say I had eyes again.

Answer 10

Gloucester after being tortured and being informed that Edmund betrayed him rather than Edgar, longs to see him. Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I’d say I had eyes again In a twist of fate he is accompanied by Poor Tom (Edgar in disguise) who is filled with great sorrow upon hearing this yet isn’t able to flee from his disguise.

Question 11

What are 3 quotes that showcase Nakedness?

Answer 11

1. Poor naked wretches.
2. Unaccomodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.
3. Off, Off you endings! Come; unbutton here

Question 12

Give some context to the quote Poor naked wretches

Answer 12

In the Storm, Lear starts to develop a new-found sympathy for the commoners who have to endure natures miseries: Poor naked wretches.

Question 13

Give some context to the quote Unaccomodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art..

Answer 13

In the Storm when Lear meets Poor Tom, he sees in him the essence of humanity stripped of its covering: Unaccomodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art. Ironically enough this man who is srtipped of his covering is in fact in a disguise.

Question 14

Give some context to the quote Off, Off you endings! Come; unbutton here.

Answer 14

Like mentioned earlier, During the Storm, Lear wishes to rid himself of all resemblance of fancy clothes in order to express his new found solidarity with the repressed: Off, Off you endings! Come; unbutton here. His rush to bare himself of clothes and become naked is very telling of his character development in response to the betrayal of his daughters.