Old Age

Old Age

1. Lear

   • " 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself."
     • The sisters recognise that L is making rash decisions because of his old age. They realise that he is vulnerable and decide to use this against him and work together to manipulate & control him. - youth showing their power & control over elderly.
   • "As you are old and reverend, should be wise."
     • G criticises the debauchery of L's followers & demands to reduce their no. L mocks her and acts like the Fool. G tells her father that he is old enough to be wiser than that; immediately taking control and power over L, treating him as a child - patronising. Perhaps G & R have made him this way by stripping him of all the traits that recognise him as an adult - power/responsibility.
   • "I confess that I am old...Age is unnecessary"
     • L accepts that his old age may weaken him. use of the word 'confess' is submissive. L doesn't deem is important in his situation and doesn't feel there should be a division. - mocks suggestion he should apologise to G - still feels a sense of hierarchy over children.
   • "You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both!"
     • The king is in a position of having to defend himself to his young daughters. This speech in which he deliberates humanity's basic needs, and swears revenge against his daughters is arguably the point at which he begins to shift towards insanity. Result of old age and having been stripped of his power.
   • "A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man"
     • L accuses the storm of joining forces with his daughters. This accentuates his mad state and makes himself appear even more exposed and liable.
   • "O I have taken too little care of this..."
     • This is the first time L feels his own limitations and recognizes his inappropriate behavior. He seems approachable in his old age.This is also the first time his age might be associated with his wisdom.
   • "I am a very foolish, fond old man"
     • Associates idea of old age with madness - clear acceptance of his state of mind - stripped himself of all his airs and graces.

2. Edmond

   • "I grow, I prosper; Now, gods, stand up for bastards!"
     • Age is the reason behind is actions as Edg is the oldest and is legitimate so is entitled to kingship after G - jealousy of preference from father and of primogeniture - mirrors G & R relationship with L.
   • "The younger rises when the old doth fall."
     • The foolishness of the older characters can be replaced with the intelligence of the young. Edm is referring to G and his vulnerability which continues to increase along side his age.

3. Edg & Gloucester

   • "Thy strange mutations make us hate thee, Life would not yield to age."
     • Edg sees his father for the first time in a while, and discovers his father's compromised condition (blindness). He realizes that his own life is indeed not the "worst." There is always something lower. Hardships come with age; it is up to him to help his father.
   • "The oldest have borne most; we that are young, shall never see so much, nor live so long."
     • Ends play - evaluation of events of play? youth couldn't have lived long enough for what L & G went through and he Edg will never see anything as tragic as what happened to L or G. - Old age = experience and knowledge which it is impossible for younger people to have.