So for each play I am going to write a post based on a theme or idea or symbol that I found captivating in the play. For King Lear that idea is the power of language in the act of deception.
The play is constantly pushed forward by acts of deception. From Regan and Goneril, to Edmund, to Edgar, to Kent. The characters in the play that participate in deception, whether for evil purposes or for good, all have one major thing in common: their words. The way they speak and use language has more power than any other device for deception.
Regan and Goneril, for example, express their so-called love for their father in extravagant and hyperbolic terms that, once called out by Cordelia, seem ridiculous. Yet, their use of language convince Lear that they do love him deeply and leads him to give his two eldest daughters his kingdom, with nothing for Cordelia.
Now Edmund's deception is one of the most thoughtful in my mind. Edmund has thought about how to keep his charade going. He has thought about who is going to be deceived and how to keep those people away from each other. And for the most part it works brilliantly.
The deceptions that I enjoyed the most were Kent and Edgar's deceptions. They both disguise themselves, yet it is the way the speak that really deceives people. Kent speaking like a commoner and not the Duke he is. And Edgar speaking like a mad man. It is amazing. I also liked theirs more because it is for good. They are deceiving in order to protect themselves and others. It is deception, yes, but it has an admirable purpose.
I'm not quite finished, but I have to say something. Geoffrey was indeed the best suited to play Edmund. :) More on my real thoughts when I finish...
ReplyDeleteLove,
~Dilee
Can we just talk about how the ending made me want to throw chips at a donkey's eye? Seriously. King Lear is one of the few plays I've read and I loved it all except for the ending.
ReplyDeleteI understand. It is the epitome of a tragedy. Everyone dies and you just want to curl up in a ball and never go outside ever again. It sucks, but somehow we love it and read another tragedy only to have the same feelings. :)
ReplyDeleteI just can't understand how Lear doesn't seem to know his own kids. These are his own children. I understand that him being the king would often take him away from his kids, but I just think that a real tragedy isn't just the fact everyone dies. To me, what is so depressing is how Lear could let his family end up like that. All I know is that I'm going to be the type of father who will know my kids completely and will do everything I can to teach them what is right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of deception. So excited to hear more insights of my wife!
I love that Jesse. I didn't think about that, but you have a really good point. However, if we move that argument into a much more extreme and more contemporary situation, such as serial killers or public shooters, do the parents of those people know that their child is capable of that? Some do, some don't. Many parents blind themselves to the truth of their child and see what they want to see in order to absolve themselves of any responsibility for causing their children to be like that. It can go both ways, but in the case of King Lear, where the "evil" of his children is not too extreme to begin with, I can understand where you come from.
DeleteAnd thank you!! I am so excited you are a part of this with me. :) Love you!
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