In yet another story of a monarchy and control we can see the rise and fall action of characters. Society is ever fearful of regression. Progression in social ranking, finance, strength, all of these things are desirable and sought after traits. When weakness takes hold in the regression of old age it is seen as deplorable and rank. Lear, especially, is degraded for his old age because he is seen as being too young to age, meaning that he has not gained the wisdom that accompanies old age and merely regresses as a child. Childish traits are depicted in his rash rage and temper tantrums. This is especially apparent with his treatment of Cordelia and Kent, banishing and disowning them because they spoke that which he was not inclined to hear.
Fortuna's wheel has a large role in King Lear. It is frequently mentioned in reference to the falling and rising of characters. After his quarrel with Oswald, Kent speaks a line before falling asleep. He says, "Fortune, good night; smile once more; turn thy wheel" (2.2.165). Shortly after, when speaking to the fool, Kent is advised to "Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it; but when the great one that goesup the hill, let him draw thee after" (2.4.66-9). Here the fool, archetypal in his role, speaks wisdom under the guise of entertainment and insanity. Lear, having given up his throne before his death, has lost the voice of power and command. It is recognized in the beginning when Oswald refers to him as "my lady's father" (1.4.68) instead of King.
Kent's banishment and return in disguise is warranted as foolish, even to the fool. We shall see what trouble arises from this connection as the play progresses.
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On another note, I absolutely loved the fool's speech in 3.2 where he prophesizes the ruin of England.
When priests are more in word than matter;
When brewers mar their malt with water;
When nobles are their tailor's tutors;
No heretics burn but wenches' suitors;
When every case in law is right...
He proposes that society not only craves chaos, but thrives on it both socially and economically. Not much has changed...must be human nature.
New Paltz Students Blogging about Shakespeare
2 comments:
Very nice attention here to this specific detail, Ashley. This also makes me think about the gendering of Fortuna--who is always represented as a woman. Do you think there is any connection between the allusions to Fortuna and the depictions of women in this play?
I like what you said about Lear's regression, because I noticed that as well. I also think that in addition to his regression to being child-like, he also regresses to a more...primitive state of being. He embraces nature and even though he is mostly incoherent, it seems like he is going back to a time before people tried to manipulate nature to suit their needs of expansion and wealth.
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