King Lear Why a king end up so poor? Communication and Technology Monica

About the play William Shakespeare One of the most famous tragedies The most mature tagedy of Shakespeare

What’s the story? King Lear asked his three daughter to say how much they loved him. But the little daughter Cordelia did not want to exaggerate her love,which made Lear mad. He decided not to give her any plant. The other two daughters gain everything from Lear, but treated him bad. Their behaviors made Lear crazy.

King Lear and his daughters

In the end, Cordelia was hanged for rescuing Lear. Lear died in sorrow. Cordelia’s death --->

Another storyline Edmund and Edgar was Gloucester’s son, at the beginning Gloucester favored Edgar and often ridiculed Edmund as a bastard. However Edmund lied at his father and brother, and fooled Gloucester to kill Edgar.

For self-interests, Edmund betrayed Gloucester,which caused Gloucester become blind.

In the end, it was Edgar, the son who was nearly killed by his father, accompanied and supported Gloucester.

King Lear

Enjoy being flattered He asked his daughters to say their love to him, and was happy about the two elder daughter’s flatter. When Cordelia honestly said: Why have my sisters’ husbands, if they say they love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, that Lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry half my love with him, half my care and duty: Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, to love my father all. Lear got mad.

Stupid Could not control his temper When the two elder daughters wants to dismiss his knights, he acted like an old madman and refused to have a rational talk, leaving the situation spoiled and gain far worse than he ought to gain.

No love Always complained that his daughters did not love him, while did he really know how to love? Cordelia, Kent, Fool

Confused After giving up the power of a king, what is Lear’s value? King Lear: Doth any here know me? This is not Lear: Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, his discerning. Are lethargied—Ha! Waking? ‘tis not so. Who is it that can tell me who I am?

Reflection Every character is part of us The complexity of humanity Lear’s world and our world