King Lear Research Paper
The relationship between characters throughout all of William Shakespeare’s plays can transcend time and relate to audiences today. In the case of King Lear, the themes of family dysfunction, justice and the battle between good and evil have all remained very powerful. Since the original production by the king’s men in 1606 the play has been interpretated in a wide range of contexts. The experience of an audience can be greatly shaped by the direction of a production, with different productions tending to attempt to promote selected themes more than others. Two diverse productions are Richard Eyres 1998 film interpretation portrayed as a family drama focused on the themes of family dysfunction contrasting with Peter Brooks 1971 Nihilistic black
…show more content…
Ironically Edgar disguised as ‘Old Tom’ who had loved his father most is asked by his newly blinded father to help him commit suicide. ‘I have no way and therefore want no eyes. I stumbled when I saw.’ The triumph of evil in this scene is so apparent as disguised ‘Old Tom’ tricks father Glouster into believing that he had in fact jumped from a cliff and miraculously survived which gave Glouster new hope and through Edgar Samaritan deed his urge to revenge his father against the injustices they have been given by Edmund. The motif of ‘blindness’ is also very ironic as even before Glouster had lost his sight Edmund had blinded his father with his lies which had lead to his downfall and mistreating of Edgar his legitimate son and ultimately his only true …show more content…
The main relationship and its mirrored ones not only symbolize the battle between good and evil but the theme of family dysfunction as well, though a father being easily swayed by a untrustworthy off-spring, he neglects a true loving relationship between father and son.
The 1998 BBC television film interpretation of ‘King Lear’ directed by Richard Eyre presents the play as a family drama. Mostly set in one room around a table symbolizing a stereotypical family setting, where most of the family business takes place this is illustrated in the opening scene as King Lear divides his kingdom, this can easily linked to the ideology of parents leaving their inheritance to their children.
Throughout the play the setting hardly differs, all being filmed in one room, with minimal props with a predominate colour red throughout the production symbolizing family relationship and emotions such as love and loyalty. This is ironic as the relationships between many characters in King Lear do not carry such
Ironically Edgar disguised as ‘Old Tom’ who had loved his father most is asked by his newly blinded father to help him commit suicide. ‘I have no way and therefore want no eyes. I stumbled when I saw.’ The triumph of evil in this scene is so apparent as disguised ‘Old Tom’ tricks father Glouster into believing that he had in fact jumped from a cliff and miraculously survived which gave Glouster new hope and through Edgar Samaritan deed his urge to revenge his father against the injustices they have been given by Edmund. The motif of ‘blindness’ is also very ironic as even before Glouster had lost his sight Edmund had blinded his father with his lies which had lead to his downfall and mistreating of Edgar his legitimate son and ultimately his only true …show more content…
The main relationship and its mirrored ones not only symbolize the battle between good and evil but the theme of family dysfunction as well, though a father being easily swayed by a untrustworthy off-spring, he neglects a true loving relationship between father and son.
The 1998 BBC television film interpretation of ‘King Lear’ directed by Richard Eyre presents the play as a family drama. Mostly set in one room around a table symbolizing a stereotypical family setting, where most of the family business takes place this is illustrated in the opening scene as King Lear divides his kingdom, this can easily linked to the ideology of parents leaving their inheritance to their children.
Throughout the play the setting hardly differs, all being filmed in one room, with minimal props with a predominate colour red throughout the production symbolizing family relationship and emotions such as love and loyalty. This is ironic as the relationships between many characters in King Lear do not carry such