King Lear
Throughout Shakespeare’s piece, no character embodies the theme of public vs. private person as much as the protagonist himself- King Lear. Lear is a man who has lived and has had to deal with two diverging lives. In the public eye he is supposed to be an individual that displays wisdom, leadership, sanity and competence; traits that any king of such a vast country as Britain requires in order to maintain its status. In private he is supposed to have the support of his family members and to ensure that each member sees to their duty. In reality however, Lear is a flawed ruler as he wants to hold the title of king without actually carrying out his duties and obligations. He also puts value on appearances above reality.
For example, in the first scene, King Lear wants to demonstrate his authority by making the division of his kingdom as formal as possible. In his court he wants the respect of his followers and by asking his daughters how much they love him, it is clear he values more what their choice of words is then their actual significance and credibility. When Cordelia later refuses to overstate her feelings, the king is left feeling extremely ashamed and the decline of his authority begins. According to Wilson Knight, “Lear has staged an interlude, in which he grasps expressions of love to his heart, and resigns his scepter to a chorus of acclamations. It is childish, foolish-but very human.”
Lear’s connection to his private life is then exposed when he curses his daughter Goneril as a father and not as a head of state. This accentuates the hatred and disgust that he possesses for his offspring, “Into her womb...away, away!” (I.iv.288-303). The private side of Lear is further explored when he believes that his other daughter, Regan, will take care of him. This naiveté of his is as Gregson puts it, “chilling” as he clearly does not have a strong relationship or understanding of his own children. “I have another daughter who I am sure is kind and comfortable...I have cast off for ever.” (I.iv. 322-327).
As the play progresses and Lears loses his sanity, he also begins to paradoxically gain wisdom. At first only the Fool could point out his faults, albeit not publicly as Lear at this point had no followers, “Why to put ‘s head in, not to give it away to his daughters and leave his horns without a case.” (I.v. 30-31) and “If thou wert my Fool, nuncle, I’d have thee beaten for being old before they time.” (I.v.40-41). Later however, as Lear is subject to the elements in Act III, he begins to border on insanity and wisdom, allowing him to see some of his own faults and thus eliminating the need for the criticizing Fool.
In Act III scene ii, Lear exclaims his famous line, “I am a man more sinned against then sinning.”, and realizes the responsibility of government and rulers and his implications in both his country’s affairs and those of his daughters. Upon meeting Gloucester in Act IV scene vi, Lear begins to fully understand what a ruler should not comprise of:
...A dog’s obeyed in office...
Robes and fur gowns hide all, with gold ,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks...
And like a scurvy politician
Seem to see the things thou dost not.
This new state of wisdom brought about in Lear is as a result of him rediscovering himself and altering his attitude about what a ruler should be like in the public arena. However, his private person also changes, as is evident in Act IV, scene vii upon meeting Cordelia and understanding how he wronged her:
I am a very foolish old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less,
For as I am a man, I think this lady,
To be my child Cordelia.
In the end, Lear unfortunately dies as his newfound knowledge is unable to prevent the events that were already set in motion by his two eldest daughters and Edmund. His inability to differentiate between content and presentation, ultimately led to his downfall, despite being able to understand his faults.
For example, in the first scene, King Lear wants to demonstrate his authority by making the division of his kingdom as formal as possible. In his court he wants the respect of his followers and by asking his daughters how much they love him, it is clear he values more what their choice of words is then their actual significance and credibility. When Cordelia later refuses to overstate her feelings, the king is left feeling extremely ashamed and the decline of his authority begins. According to Wilson Knight, “Lear has staged an interlude, in which he grasps expressions of love to his heart, and resigns his scepter to a chorus of acclamations. It is childish, foolish-but very human.”
Lear’s connection to his private life is then exposed when he curses his daughter Goneril as a father and not as a head of state. This accentuates the hatred and disgust that he possesses for his offspring, “Into her womb...away, away!” (I.iv.288-303). The private side of Lear is further explored when he believes that his other daughter, Regan, will take care of him. This naiveté of his is as Gregson puts it, “chilling” as he clearly does not have a strong relationship or understanding of his own children. “I have another daughter who I am sure is kind and comfortable...I have cast off for ever.” (I.iv. 322-327).
As the play progresses and Lears loses his sanity, he also begins to paradoxically gain wisdom. At first only the Fool could point out his faults, albeit not publicly as Lear at this point had no followers, “Why to put ‘s head in, not to give it away to his daughters and leave his horns without a case.” (I.v. 30-31) and “If thou wert my Fool, nuncle, I’d have thee beaten for being old before they time.” (I.v.40-41). Later however, as Lear is subject to the elements in Act III, he begins to border on insanity and wisdom, allowing him to see some of his own faults and thus eliminating the need for the criticizing Fool.
In Act III scene ii, Lear exclaims his famous line, “I am a man more sinned against then sinning.”, and realizes the responsibility of government and rulers and his implications in both his country’s affairs and those of his daughters. Upon meeting Gloucester in Act IV scene vi, Lear begins to fully understand what a ruler should not comprise of:
...A dog’s obeyed in office...
Robes and fur gowns hide all, with gold ,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks...
And like a scurvy politician
Seem to see the things thou dost not.
This new state of wisdom brought about in Lear is as a result of him rediscovering himself and altering his attitude about what a ruler should be like in the public arena. However, his private person also changes, as is evident in Act IV, scene vii upon meeting Cordelia and understanding how he wronged her:
I am a very foolish old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less,
For as I am a man, I think this lady,
To be my child Cordelia.
In the end, Lear unfortunately dies as his newfound knowledge is unable to prevent the events that were already set in motion by his two eldest daughters and Edmund. His inability to differentiate between content and presentation, ultimately led to his downfall, despite being able to understand his faults.