TEST: Early 2.4 Flashcards
Kent is what to Lears tragic fall?
Dramatically central
Kent is where and wearing what throughout the scene?
‘Cruel garters’
This is especially repugnant to Lear and disturbing to the audience as it’s a sign his entire world has gone upside down.
How does Lear take the sight of Kent in the stocks?
For Lear it is a sign that he personally has been disrespected
(‘tis worse than murder/ To do upon respect such violent outrage)
What do the audience see when they see Kent?
A truth teller in shackles, an earl treated like a common thief
What has justice become here?
Meaningless.
G + R + C have created this new world order, and it’s a sign of the cruelty that Gloucester will face in 3.7 when he is blinded. (Out vile jelly! Where is thy lustre now)
What is foregrounded in ‘before Gloucesters castle’?
Power and punishment
Lear might be starting to realise that his loss is consequence for banishing Cordelia.
What three of Lears suffers, grows and quickens here?
Pride suffers
Anger grows
Fall quickens
‘They durst…..do it’
What did Kent do to Lears tragic decline?
He is the catalyst for the accelerant of Lears tragic decline.
What is ‘hail thee master’ a reminder of?
Lears past power, which he no longer has.
‘They durst…..do it’
What does this show/say?
Repetition of modal verbs
Shows Lears confusion, passion, and craving for structure of society
He must know that his world and values are breaking apart.
What causes his sanity to be shaken initially?
Non-conformity to social expectations, dare Regan treat a king this way.
How is his refusal to believe dramatised?
‘Yes….no’
By the use of monosyllabic language and mirrored staccato in Kent’s replies.
How does the fool foreshadow Gloucesters blinding?
He tries to lighten the mood as another truth teller, but greater tragic intentions are shown in ‘over….legs’ and ‘wild geese’.
What does Kent’s account of events show?
That his imprisonment wasn’t justified, it was mainly a malicious act against Lear.
‘Winters not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way.’
What does this mean?
Wild geese fly south in autumn— the winter of displeasure and unkindness is to get worse.
