Suffering in King Lear - 2408 Words

About suffering they were never wrong, The Old Masters; how well they understood Its human position; how it takes place While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along. (W.H. Auden, ‘Musee des Beaux Arts’) Discuss some of the ways in which Shakespeare’s plays use the interaction and distance between their protagonists and surrounding minor characters to illuminate the ‘human position’ of suffering. This quote, taken from Audens poem Musee des Beaux Arts, deals with the incongruous nature of human suffering, an idea that we are provoked to think about when reading many of Shakespeare plays. However the play which comes to mind first when any reader of Shakespeare hears the word suffering is surely King†¦show more content†¦The uneducated minor character present at Gloucester’s torture is so deeply affected by the savage events that he rebels and challenges his own master. â€Å"Hold your hand, my Lord: I have served you ever since I was a child, But better service have I never done you Than now to bid you hold.† (3.7.75-78)[3] This quote also brings about how close the servant must feel to Cornwall, although socially distant from his master he has grown up with him and thus is a member of his extended family. Cornwall represents the major, upper class characters, whilst the attempted rescue and compassionate advice is done by a lower class, minor character. This action exemplifies the question of interaction with minor characters illuminating the human position of suffering. Servants are rarely given such important roles in Shakespeare plays but here we see an unnamed character being so affected by the violence and inhumanity of an important character that he rebels and eventually dies in an attempt to save Gloucesters remaining eye. This is an example of a minor character crossing a boundary set out my social etiquette and moving physically closer to the major players, making the unspeakable act seem frighteningly real. Although the torture would in itself still be shockingly grotesque, the servants horr or illuminates further Gloucesters suffering. An interesting omission from the Folio edition of KingShow MoreRelated Shakespeares King Lear - Suffering of Cordelia in King Lear1507 Words   |  7 Pagestragedy of Shakespeare’s King Lear is made far more tragic and painful by the presence and suffering of the kings youngest daughter, Cordelia. While our sympathy for the king is somewhat restrained by his brutal cruelty towards others, there is nothing to dampen our emotional response to Cordelias suffering. Nothing, that is, at first glance. Harley Granville-Barker justifies her irreconcilable fate thus: the tragic truth about life to the Shakespeare that wrote King Lear... includes its capriciousRead MoreEssay on Suffering in Titues Andronicus and King Lear2882 Words   |  12 PagesSuffering in Titues Andronicus and King Lear An essential element to any Shakespearean tragedy is the idea of human suffering. In both Titus Andronicus and King Lear no one can deny that the characters in these plays do indeed suffer and at great lengths, but the question begs to be asked what is the source of this suffering? Keeping in mind that during the times in which William Shakespeare wrote death, adultery and fragrant sexuality where at an optimal level and as such single parent familiesRead MoreHuman Suffering in Inferno and King Lear Essay example1555 Words   |  7 PagesBoth Shakespeare’s King Lear and Dante’s Inferno explore the reasons for, and results of, human suffering. Each work postulates that human suffering comes as a result of choices that are made: A statement that is not only applicable to the characters in each of the works, but also to the readers. The Inferno and King Lear speak universal truths about the human condition: that suffering is inevitable and unavoidable. While both King Le ar and the Inferno concentrate on admonitions and lamentationsRead MoreEssay on King Lear/Inferno1246 Words   |  5 PagesAssignment #2 (Inferno / King Lear) Both Shakespeare’s King Lear and Dante’s Inferno explore the reasons for and results of human suffering. Both works postulate that human suffering comes as a result of choices that are made. That statement is not only applicable to the characters in each of the works, but also to the readers. The Inferno and King Lear speak universal truths about the human condition: that suffering is inevitable and unavoidable. While both King Lear and the Inferno concentrateRead MoreSuperheroes, Despite Their Different Powers, All Possess1581 Words   |  7 Pagesmaintenance of strong morals. Similarly, King Lear, the tragic hero in William Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, possesses characteristics that define him as a tragic hero, as stated by Aristotle in Poetics via A.C. Bradley’s The Shakespearean Tragic Hero. King Lear is a character of high social status, and he possesses exceptional qualities that make him a well-respected king; however, throughout the playâ€℠¢s events, he suffers tremendously in an unusual manner. In addition, Lear, despite being a â€Å"good† characterRead MoreKing Lear essay, exploring the notion of hope.992 Words   |  4 Pageseffects of King Lear, evaluate the view that despite the appalling suffering, the world of the play is not without hope.† In the world of King Lear, being a shakespearean tragedy, suffering, loss, and injustice are all factors often expected before an audience enters the bottomless pit of complicated characters, varying agendas, and Shakespearean english these productions usually employed. However, despite its melancholy undertone and lack of warmer lighting gels on stage, King Lear is not withoutRead MoreI Am a Man More Sinned Against Than Sinning. to What Extent Does the Character King Lear Suffer Out of All Proportions to His Initial Transgressions?1503 Words   |  7 Pagesextent does the character King Lear suffer out of all proportions to his initial transgressions? There would be two different opinions on whether or not King Lear deserved what had happened to him. First, I think I should mention the ways that King Lear suffered. There were evident levels of emotional and physical suffering. From an emotional perspective, Lear discovers that he is hated by his own daughters, which would be a terrible experience for a father. Not only is Lear hated by Goneril and ReganRead More The Universal Truths of King Lear Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesThe Universal Truths of King Lear   Ã‚  Ã‚   Edgar:   O, matter and impertinency mixed, Reason in madness!   (4.6.192-93)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Reason in madness, truth in suffering, and sight in blindness all contain the same basic meaning.   In order to find and recognize our real selves and the truth, we must suffer. These various themes are continually illustrated throughout Shakespeares King Lear. Their effects are not solely felt by Lear and Gloucester.   All sincerely good charactersRead MoreKing Lears Journey Through Hell in William Shakespeares King Lear1149 Words   |  5 PagesKing Lears Journey Through Hell in William Shakespeares King Lear Shakespeares tragedy King Lear is a detailed description of the consequences of one mans deci-sions. This fictitious man is Lear, King of England, whose decisions greatly change his life and the lives of those around him. As Lear takes on the rank of King he is, as one expects, a man of great power but he surrenders all of this power to his daughters as a reward for their display of love towards him. This sud-den surrender ofRead MoreEssay traglear King Lear as a Bradley Tragedy1294 Words   |  6 PagesKing Lear as a Bradley Tragedy      Ã‚  Ã‚  King Lear meets all the requirements of a tragedy as defined by Andrew Cecil Bradley.   Bradley states that a Shakespearean tragedy has to be the story of the hero and there is exceptional suffering and calamity slowly being worn in.   Also, the current time must be contrasted to happier times.   The play also depicts the troubled parts in the hero’s life and eventually he dies instantaneously because of the suffering and calamity.   There is the feeling of