Plot Construction
of Shakespeare’s King Lear
Dr.
Nivedita Lahkar,
Assistant
Professor,
Bezera
Anchalik College,
Assam,
India.
Abstract: Shakespeare's play delves into the
destructive nature of power, the repercussions of blind faith, the corrupting
influence of flattery, the complexities of familial relationships, the effects
of madness, and the collapse of societal order. This research investigates a
variety of theatrical techniques Shakespeare leverages in his tragedy, King
Lear. It examines the plot, and theme, highlighting that Shakespeare adhered to
the five-act structure prevalent in Elizabethan plays. The central storyline
focuses on the challenges faced by King Lear as a result of his unappreciative
daughters. The paper is an attempt to discuss the theme, significance and plot
summary of King Lear where the researcher will try to focus on themes of power,
betrayal, madness, ambition, family, loyalty, and search for meaning in a
tumultuous, unpredictable world.
Keywords: Plot,
Theme, Play, Tragedy, Comedy, Shakespeare
1.0. Introduction
As a drama of profound sadness, King
Lear, which was published in 1623, is counted among Shakespeare's most tragic
works. The tragedy arises from man's law overpowering nature's law. Shakespeare
focuses on human behavior, revealing humanity's dark side. The play is
influenced by history, romance, comedy, and tragedy. Snuggs
(1960) “Shakespeare's plays were performed in playhouses, with elaborate
scenery, and staged with music, dancing, thunder, lightening, wave machines,
and fireworks” In King Lear, comprehending the conventions of drama allows us
to uncover the underlying connections and purpose in the story, rather than
perceiving it as a series of random events. Shakespeare employs a range of
literary techniques, particularly the double plot, to emphasize the importance
of natural law. By emphasizing the lack of nature in King Lear, he demonstrates
the devastating consequences of disregarding this crucial element. The play
exists in two versions: the ‘First Quarto’ from 1608 and the ‘Folio edition’
from 1623, with some parts missing. This work follows the typical five-act
structure observed in Elizabethan tragedy. Goldberg (1974) had mentioned that
"the structure not of the protagonist's character, but of Shakespeare's
own imaginative insight, his vision of the world."
Characters Overview
of King Lear
King Lear: The elderly monarch of Britain, whose kingdom is divided
based on his daughters' flattery.
Cordelia: dearest and youngest daughter of Lear, who was disowned
but remained true.
Goneril: The merciless and power hungry girl Lear's firstborn
daughter.
Regan: Second born daughter of Lear, unkind and ambitious.
Earl of Gloucester: A kindred spirit
to Lear. Both literal and metaphorical.
Edgar: initially innocent but later turned out as "Poor
Tom."
Edmund: Cunning and manipulative.
Earl of Kent: A loyal nobleman who attempts to intervene on Cordelia's
behalf.
The Fool: Lear's jester, providing comic relief and profound
truths about his actions.
1.2.
Significance of the study
King Lear is a thought-provoking
exploration of human nature, delving into themes of power, family dynamics, and
the complexities of morality. Shakespeare's tragedy is widely regarded as one
of his greatest works, exploring the intricacies of human nature and the
repercussions of poor choices. The play delves into timeless themes like family
dynamics, betrayal, justice and injustice, power struggles, mental health,
perception and understanding, and personal growth and pain.
The play is widely considered to be
among Shakespeare’s deepest tragedies, highlighting his exceptional mastery of
poetic language, intricate character development, and intricate plot structure.
The play also explores the human experience, examining vulnerability, pain, the
duality of good and evil, and the quest for purpose in a world that appears
indifferent. It forces us to wrestle with fundamental queries regarding the
nature of humanity and the significance of our being. The historical and
cultural importance of King Lear lies in its connection to the Jacobean era,
which mirrors the anxieties of Jacobean England and continues to hold relevance
in contemporary times. Engaging with King Lear is a transformative and
enlightening experience that pushes readers and audiences to confront deep and
thought-provoking inquiries about existence, ethics, and the essence of
humanity.
1.3.
Objective
This paper analyses the theme and plot
structure of Shakespeare’s King Lear where betrayal and deceit of both the
kings will be presented. The nature of false love and true loyalty and outcome
of misjudgment etc will be discussed.
1.4. Methodology
For the present research work both primary and secondary
data were utilized. Primary data are
directly collected from the retired English Professors of Assam and Gauhati
Universities, who had provided valuable information on Shakespeare’s King Lear
plot and theme in the form of interview method for the present research
work. Secondary data are in the form of
books, research papers on King Lear and other related works on
Shakespeare. Internet sources are also
utilized which help to read much valuable information on King Lear. Both the primary and secondary sources were equally
important for data collection for the present research work.
Theme analysis of
King Lear:
Family and Filial
Ingratitude: The play explores the breakdown of family
bonds, betrayal, false love, and the pain of being disowned.
Power and Authority: Lear's decision to divide his kingdom and relinquish
power sets the stage for the tragedy.
Madness and Sanity: the play's central theme revolves around the
protagonist's descent into madness. His mental decline is mirrored by the
escalating disorder in the kingdom. Madness is frequently portrayed as a source
of enlightenment, enabling individuals to perceive the world with greater
clarity than they did when they were mentally stable
Justice and
Injustice: The play prompts us to ponder the concept of
justice in a world that appears indifferent to our struggles. In the realm of
storytelling, virtuous individuals often face adversity, while malevolent
forces thrive, resulting in a profound sense of cosmic injustice.
Blindness and
Insight: The play highlights the concept of true
insight often arising from suffering and loss.
Nature vs.
Civilization/Order vs. Chaos: The
wild, raging storm reflects the internal turmoil of the learner and the
breakdown of order in the kingdom. The play delves into the concept of a
"natural" order (within families, society, and the universe) and the
catastrophic consequences that arise when that order is disturbed.
Loyalty and
Betrayal: loyalty is often put to the test and
frequently falls short, resulting in widespread betrayal. Characters like Kent
and Cordelia demonstrate steadfast loyalty, even when they are banished and
face persecution.
Appearance vs.
Reality: Characters deceive others through flattery
and false affection.
Human Suffering and
Endurance: The play is filled with intense suffering,
prompting reflections on human endurance.
These themes are intricately woven into the fabric of the
play, enhancing its lasting impact and solidifying its position as one of
Shakespeare's most profound tragedies.
2.0. Plot
construction of King Lear
A classic five-act-structure is employed in Shakespeare's
play, King Lear, which is commonly found in his other tragic works. The play
has a main storyline about King Lear and a subplot about Gloucester, which
reflects and intensifies the central themes of the play. Steele (1991)
mentioned that "Shakespeare scholars have recognized for decades that, in
actual fact, plays were performed on the bare, unlocalized Elizabethan public
stage without pauses for acts and scenes"
2.1. Here's plot
construction:
2.1.1. Act 1:
Introduction
The story commences with King Lear's resolution to give
away his territory to his three daughters — Goneril (firstborn daughter), Regan
(second born daughter), and Cordelia (youngest daughter) based on how they
express their affection..
Lear's fatal flaw: Lear's egotism and poor decision are instantly apparent
when he disowns Cordelia, his youngest and most cherished daughter, for her
denial to praise him. He dismisses his faithful advisor, Kent, who defends
Cordelia in his absence.
2.1.1.1. Subplot:
A secondary storyline revolves around the Earl of
Gloucester, Edmund and Edgar. Edmund, the illegitimate son, driven by his own
ambitions, conspires against his legitimate brother, Edgar. This conflict
serves as a parallel to the main plot's family betrayals.
2.1.2. Act II:
Escalating Tension
The rise of
conflict: Tensions rise as the Lear realizes the
ungratefulness of Goneril and Regan. They gradually erode his authority, strip
his knights, and behave him with contempt.
Lear's fall into
insanity: Lear's disenchantment and the unkind
behavior from his elder daughters drive him towards insanity.
Edmund's betrayal: In the subplot, Edmund manages to trick Gloucester into
thinking that Edgar is intriguing against him, resulting in Edgar's exile and
hiding as "poor Tom."
2.1.3. Act III:
Climax
The climactic storm
scene: This is the heart touching and thematic
peak of the present play. Lear, confronted by a brutal heath storm, undergoes a
severe mental and emotional breakdown, losing his royal persona and facing the
unsympathetic realities of human misery and distress. The raging storm
parallels the unraveling of Lear's sanity and the breakdown of his imperial
authority.
Gloucester's visual
impairment: As a direct result of his unwavering
loyalty to Lear, Gloucester is ruthlessly betrayed and visually impaired by
Regan and her husband (Cornwall). This heartless act represents the pinnacle of
brutality and unfairness in the subplot.
2.1.4. Act IV:
Resolution
The outcomes and
acknowledgment: the outcomes of the characters' choices
become evident as the story progresses. Lear, despite his sadness, experiences
moments of deep understanding about what it means to be human.
Cordelia's
triumphant return: Cordelia came back from France with her
army, determined to save and free her father and re-establish peace.
Edgar's advice: Edgar, still pretending to be poor Tom, provides
emotional support to his visually impaired father, (Gloucester), and prevents
him from taking his own life. Edgar's journey symbolizes a route to ethical
illumination and clarity.
Intrigue and
rivalry: Goneril and Regan engage in a fierce
competition for Edmund's love, introducing an additional element of deceit and
ultimate self-slaying to the storyline.
2.1.5. Act V:
Conclusion/disaster
Combat and defeat: the British squads ushered by Edmund, Regan and Goneril,
triumph over Cordelia's French forces. Cordelia and Lear are imprisoned.
Terrible death: The play reaches its climax with a series of
devastating deaths. Edmund's deceit is revealed, resulting in his demise. Out
of envy, Goneril poisons Regan and ultimately ends her own life. Most notably,
Cordelia is unjustly punished in penitentiary, and Lear tragically passes away
due to her overwhelming grief.
Re-establishment: While many central characters have been destroyed, and
having limited restoration as Gonaril's husband (Albani, has realized the
wickedness of his wife and her sister), and Edgar has been left to rule the
shattering state, which is a difficult but possible route towards
re-establishment.
The plot connected to Lear and Glouceseter, both, experiences
deep grief due to their misconceptions and their children's betrayal, which
outlines the central themes of the drama of justice, insanity, family and the
essence of power. The structure exposes the decline into the state of disorder
and exposes the overwhelming results of uncontrolled ambition and lack of
ungratefulness and disloyalty.
3.0 Conclusion
“King Lear" is a Shakespearean tragedy that
highlights the dangers of blindness and misjudgment, the nature of authority
and power, the value of true love and loyalty, the harshness and uncertainty of
life, the transformative power of suffering, and the fragility of human nature.
Karnewar (2016) has rightly pointed out “Shakespeare expertly reveals the
anarchy, illness and turmoil of Lear’s realm with pure realism of his
art.” The play sheds light on the perils
of blindness, faulty judgment, and the repercussions of decisions, while
underscoring the significance of honesty, empathy, and steadfastness. The drama
also highlights the repercussions of abusing power and the repercussions of
making incorrect judgments. The work also illustrates the transformative nature
of suffering, underscoring the emptiness of pride and power. Ultimately,
"King Lear" prompts the audience to contemplate the intricacies of
human connections, the repercussions of our decisions, and the frequently
unfair nature of the world.
Works Cited
Al Zoubi, Mahmoud. Samer. & Al Khamaiseh,
Zuhair. Ameen. “A Critical Study of William Shakespeare's King Lear: Plot and Structure.” International
Journal of English Language and Literature Studies. Vol. 8, No. 1, 14-18.
2019.
Farhana, Haque. “The Tragic Story of
Shakespeare’s King Lear: A Study of Moral Blindness Andmadness which are the
Representation of King Lear’s Ultimate Demise.” International Journal of Information Research and Review. Vol. 03, No.
09, September, 2016.
Goldberg, S.L. An essay on King Lear. London: Cambridge University Press, 1974.
Karnewar, Kailas Vijayrao. “Study of Tragic
Elements in King Lear.” Quest Journals: Journal of Research in
Humanities and Social Science. Vol. 7, No. 3. pp.:03-05. 2019.
Snuggs, H.L. “Shakespeare and Five Acts:
Studies in a Dramatic Convention.” U.S.A: New York. 1960
Steele, K.B. “The Whole Wealth of Thy Wit in
an Instant. Tact and the Explicit Structures of Shakespeare's Plays.” Chhp
working paper. Toronto: Centre for Computing in the Humanities. pp: 15–35.
1991.