King Lear Critics

King Lear Critics

1. A04 - Context

   • Religion
     • According to Foakes the Pagan Gods in Lear 'Show no sign of being interested in human affairs and may not exist at all.'
       • Maxwell thinks the text is 'a Christian play about a pagan world.'
         • Lear's own resemblance to the divine speaks to Sh's own era as according to King James 'Kings are justly called Gods, for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power on earth'
   • Politics
     • The distinction between virtuous disobedience and improper loyalty is examined in King Lear' (Strier)
       • This marks a significant change in Sh's political thinking. All disobedients are punished which would have pleased King James

2. Other readings

   • Feminist
     • Cordelia and Lear's relationship takes on a maternal sense
     • Lear's pardon to Gloucester's adultery is a 'misogynistic outburst against all women.'
     • King Lear 'Reinforces patriarchy and a misogynistic attitude to women' - McLuskie
   • For many critics there is no way to look at the text simplistically in terms of either pessimistic or optimistic which promotes a 'distrust of all attempts at closure (and a) negation of the possibility of unity, coherence and resolution.' - Fly

3. Critics about Lear himself

   • Foakes: 'The storm mirrors Lear's inner turmoil and pushes him into madness.'
   • Alternative reading of Lear
     • Lear may harbour incestuous desires that surface late in the play when he envisages a future in Cordelia's embrace ' We two alone will sing like birds i'the cage.'
       • Kahn thinks Cordelia is 'Both a substitute mother and a fantasy object of sexual desire.'

4. Other characters

   • Danby - Cordelia is 'the perfection of truth, justice, charity.' This makes her death make more sense as her role is identified as a martyr
   • Regan and Goneril are 'inadequately characterised if seen merely as wicked.' Foakes
     • Although the sisters' death is somewhat melodramatic, Sh 'had to find a way to have them die so the last scene could display Lear with the bodies of all three daughters, destroyed by the process he started with the division of the kingdom.'
   • Edmund's attitude is likened to 'that of a professional criminal' - Bradley
     • 'Edmund's challenge of Edgar's inheritance and pursual of wealth and status brings out the obsession of power, property and inheritance.' - Foakes
   • Edgar 'A Christian gentleman in a pagan play.' - Harley Granville Baker
     • Although he has been criticised for begrudging Gloucester his eyes because he does not reveal his true identity
       • Which links to Cavell's point that 'Edgar wants his father to still be a father, powerful, so that he can remain a child.'
   • The Fool
     • 'The fool breaks out of every category in which he might be fixed.' - Stephen Booth
     • Could be seen as voice of social protest who 'shrivels into a wretched little human being on the soaking heath.' - Bayley
       • "[The Fool is] described as 'very much Lear's alter-ego.' -Anthony Curtis, Financial Times
   • Gloucester 'gains insight in losing his physical sight' - Foakes
   • Kent is 'the quintessence of a good servant' -Jonas A. Barish
     • Contrast to Edmund who is 'willing to serve the lust' of any mistress to gain