Essay about Critical Study of Shakespeares King Lear

Critical Study of Shakespeares King Lear In this production of Shakespeares King Lear, a feminist reading of the play has been chosen to be presented to the audience. Certain important factors must be taken into consideration as to how this reading will be reflected on stage. Thus, we will examine, in detail, two important scenes: Act I, scene i, and Act IV, scene iv, their impact on the action and main issues of the play (ambition/ greed, power, corruption, appearance versus reality and growth through suffering) and how the characters, specifically the women roles, are to be portrayed to reflect this particular critical reading. Act I, scene i, is worthy of our attention as a valid†¦show more content†¦A feminist reading of this play could focus on a number of aspects from this opening scene. Consideration could be given to the early dialogue between Kentand Gloucester. Gloucesters blatant indiscretion to Edmonds bastardy compels the audience to see reasoning in the characters subsequent actions, I have so often blushed to acknowledge him. Edmond is seen as flawed owing to the flaws of his mother, A son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? The metaphorical devices that can be seen in this statement, husband for her bed, works to both debase the maternal figure and offend the son. Gloucester seemingly disengages himself from any form of culpability and particular emphasis on this aspect of the scene could direct more focus on the ensuing misogynistic aspects of the play. Traditionally, from a feminist perspective, the characters of Goneril and Regan are branded v illains; stock characters, conventional representations of evil. This evil is defined by acts of will, power, desire, and sexuality - acts which disrupt both conventional morality and the patrilineal orders definition of appropriate femininity and consequently must be met with punitiveShow MoreRelated Shakespeare’s King Lear Essay1464 Words   |  6 PagesViewpoints of Shakespeare’s King Lear Shakespeare’s King Lear is a tragic about an aging King of Britain and his three daughters. When it comes time to divide his kingdom, he puts his daughters through a test to prove how much they love him. The two older daughters, Goneril and Regan, give King Lear flattering answers and therefore receive great amounts of finer land. The third and youngest daughter, Cordilia, says that she has no words to describe how much she loves her father. 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