king lear context

Question 1

What does Freud say in ‘The Three Caskets’ about the uniqueness of the 3rd sisters muteness? What effect may this give?

Answer 1

He recalls how muteness in psychic life is typically a representation of death
So in terms of King Lear, Cordelia’s muteness could foreshadow her death

Question 2

Where else does Freud say we see the idea of the third sister representing death?

Answer 2

Ancient Greeks believe fate is 3 sisters (moirai), the third is death

Question 3

What does psychoanalysis say about King Lears fall from kingship?

Answer 3

His inability to mature beyond his primitive mental states initiated + fuelled his decline into madness

Question 4

When did king James I unite Scotland + England

Answer 4

1603

Question 5

What did Protestants strongly believe in?

Answer 5

The divine right of kings

Question 6

What is the tragic triad?

Answer 6

pain, guilt,death

Question 7

Which king is King Lear compared to?

Answer 7

King James I

Question 8

What is Edmund?

Answer 8

typical machiavellian evil

Question 9

What was the audience?

Answer 9

Jacobean audience

Question 10

How does the play reflect social and economic issues of the time?

Answer 10

Through the portrayal of ‘Poor Tom’ being a bedlam beggar; reflects the state of poverty

Question 11

Explain the kingship two bodies

Answer 11

The king was believed to have 2 bodies: body physical (his own body) and body politic (the kingdom)

Question 12

What does Cordelia’s name mean in Latin? What does this reflect?

Answer 12

Cordelia means heart/warmth
This reflects Cordelia’s true warm, kind nature

Question 13

Where would the play have been performed?

Answer 13

In courts for King James

Question 14

What may King Lear be a reflection of?

Answer 14

Sir Brian Annesley’s 2 eldest daughter + her husband tried to have him certified as a senile lunatic so they could have his property
His youngest daughter, Cordell saved him by challenging her sister in court

Question 15

What can we say about Freud?

Answer 15

The id, ego + superego
There isn’t really a superego for Lear; the id takes over

Question 16

What can we say about Freud’s unconscious mind?

Answer 16

The unconscious mind possesses things were unaware of + can’t become aware of - Lear’s selfishness + foolishness comes under this

Question 17

How may a feminist lens categorise Cordelia, Goneril + Regan?

Answer 17

Cordelia is nurturing + kind
Goneril + Regan are sly and evil

Question 18

What complex may Shakespeare be giving the women in the play? What does this mean?

Answer 18

Freud’s madonna-whore complex
Women tend to be categorised as pure/virtuous OR manipulating + promiscuous

Question 19

What do we notice about whenever a female character’s evil in the play? What might this say?

Answer 19

Whenever a female character does harm, it causes chaos - rather than turning stereotypes on their heads for empowerment, it does the opposite

Question 20

How might a feminist audience view Goneril + Regan?

Answer 20

They almost have to be evil as women in order to get anywhere with what they want

Question 21

How might a feminist lens view the ending?

Answer 21

Whenever a woman is given power, it’ll end badly due to their inability to handle situation

Question 22

What is said about the wandering womb?

Answer 22

“Hysterica passio”
A disease afflicted w women causes Lear pain - feeling of suffocation

Question 23

What is the class representation in the play?

Answer 23

Edmund is the lowest of the low bc of his illegitimate birth; faces social judgement

Question 24

What might a marxist lens say about portrayal of Lear?

Answer 24

Portrayal of Lear being mad may have been seen as an attack on Lear

Question 25

What may Shakespeare be showing about kings?

Answer 25

The divine right of kings gives people authority, just because they’re born into it, but he abuses his power

Question 26

What is carnivalesque?

Answer 26

When the fool is wiser than the king - hierarchy of authority is inverted