Shakespeare Flashcards
comparative essay between Shakespeare's King Lear and Othello
what time period was King Lear and Othello written?
the Jacobean era
where do both plays display their themes/ characterisation
Where ‘Othello’ displays the theme through the complex nature of its antagonist and Machiavellian, Iago through his whole identity being tied closely to his thirst for revenge against his sworn enemy, Othello; ‘King Lear’ presents identity as being related to the power Lear holds within not only his kingdom, but his family as well.
how do Lear and Iago’s characterisation/ identity differ from other characters?
Shakespeare wrote these characters in an interesting way as neither of their identities correlate with their personality traits; while other characters’ identity connects to their personality, for example Desdemona’s identity surrounds her compassion or Cordelia’s, her kindness and honesty where Iago and Lear’s identity ties to other things and people.
what must be examined in order to fully understand the themes of the play?
Their individual characterisation, separate underlying symbolism, relationships with other characters and themes must be fully examined in order to determine how the theme of Identity is weaved expertly by Shakespeare throughout the entirety of both plays.
how is identity used in King Lear?
Within Shakespeare’s classic “King Lear”, the theme of identity is prominently shown via the character of King Lear and his development throughout the play.
what has been suggested by critics in correlation with Lear and Identity
It has been suggested that Lear’s identity is tied closely to the power he has and without his power, his mind descends into chaos.
who suggested this, what did they say and what does this mean?
Dollimore said “what makes Lear the person he is – or rather was – is not kingly essence, but his authority and his family – he loses his mind when he loses his social status” highlighting the close bond he has between his power and identity.
when is this shown?
This is clearly shown when he is cast out from both of his daughter’s home and changes from being very noble and kingly in his essence, to becoming vicious and venomous towards them.
what quote shows this?
“No, you unnatural hags, I will have such revenges on you both that all the world shall—I will do such things— what they are yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth.”
what does the word choice of ‘hags’ show us? what does this mean?
The use of “hags” connotes decrepit, ugly witches who are bitter and resentful. He uses this word to insult his daughters, to hurt them in the same way they hurt him.
how does Lears power relate to his children?
Although he likes to feel powerful and independent, he relies on his daughters and now that they have rejected him, he feels they have taken part of his power away, he does not have the same authority he had before and that terrifies him, he is afraid to lose his power and thus lashes out.
what insight do the audience gain? how does this relate to Iago?
The rest of his anger filled spat gives the audience a small insight to his true identity rather than the prestigious one he attempts to present to the world. It shows them that he is rather impulsive as he threatens his daughters with a despicable revenge but has not thought it through enough to threaten them with anything other than a vague promise of horror and destruction, unlike the devious Iago who has nothing but time to plot against his enemies and carry out his plans expertly.
where is Lear’s identity tied to?
Lear’s identity is tied to the power he has over other people, as soon as he loses that power he begins to lose himself as he doesn’t know who he is without it, and therefore loses his sanity.
how are Iago and Lear similer?
Iago’s personality is described as a ‘True Machiavellian’. Much like Lear at the beginning of the play, Iago is venomous towards everyone he meets, even if they do not know it.
how does Iago’s depiction of anger differ from Lear?
Although Lear is more outright in his anger, Iago keeps his well-hidden, not relying on random bursts of anger to get his point across but on keen planning and manipulations of those he despises.
what quote displays this?
“I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear that she repeals him for her body’s lust.”
what does ‘pestelence’ display?
The use of “pestilence” is interesting. It connotes poison and sickness suggesting how Iago is going to poison Othello’s mind and manipulate him into a jealous rage, almost like a sickness will come over him, causing him to ruin his own life. ‘Pestilence’ could also be referring to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse further inferring that Iago will ruin Othello’s life as he knows it.
what does ‘lust’ display? what wider connotations does this have?
Furthermore, the use of ‘lust’ connotes an uncontrollable desire for something further highlighting Iago’s despicable plan to make Othello believe that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio and her ‘womanly sexuality’ is unstoppable. This is where the audience see how far Iago’s rage goes, he is willing to do all of that ground work, and turn spouse against spouse for mere petty reasons.
how do Lear and Iago relate in this context?
It is much less obvious or devious, but Lear also displays his anger for the children who rejected him but to a much lesser extent than the dramatic Iago.
what does Shakespeare show the audience? where else is this trope shown?
Shakespeare used this to give the audience a closer glimpse of Iago’s true nature rather than the one he presents to the world. Again he uses this trope to give us insight to Lear’s true character as his anger shows us that he is not the noble king he appears to be, he has a short temper and has a tendency to lash out when provoked.
how is the theme of power used in Lear?
The theme of power that runs through ‘King Lear’ ties closely into Lear’s identity. This theme is closely displayed through how Lear reacts to Cordelia’s honestly at the beginning of the play
how is this displayed?
When Lear asks her to profess how much she loves him in return for land, she initially says ‘nothing’, in a spate to not upset her father by stating the truth but also not give him the thing he craves as a king; flattery. Clearly upset and confused by this, Lear replies with the iconic line “nothing will come of nothing.”
how is that line interesting? how does it show the relationship between Lear and Cordelia?
this line is interesting as he is yet to exercise his trademark short fuse and lash out, rather allowing her the second chance to change her answer and submit to his desire for flattery. Shakespeare is outlining to the audience Lear’s special bond with his youngest daughter by allowing her a second chance to redeem herself
how does Lear react to this?
Here Lear is taken by surprise and therefore does not know how to reply to this apparent insult from his daughter, after she explains how she loves him but as she is to be married, she will be a dedicated wife and will love her husband equally and cannot give him the kind of love that he wants from her; Lear immediately cuts her off from any financial support I.e. the dowry she has in a childish lashing out.
what insight to we get into the man Lear really is?
This sudden turn in character displays what kind of man Lear becomes when his power is undermined in any way, instead of accepting that his daughter will love her husband as well as him as a natural part of life, he lashes out at her impulsively.
