Key Themes in King Lear

The Unnatural vs the Natural

• Lear's abdication disturbs the natural order, leading to chaos and tragedy.
• Lear aims to relinquish responsibilities: “Know that we have divided in three our kingdom…conferring them on younger strengths.”
• The breaking of Lear's crown symbolises upheaval in the kingdom: “which to confirm, this coronet part betwixt you.”

Unnatural Treatment of a Parent

• Edmund’s cruelty towards his blinded father exemplifies unnatural behaviour.
• Gloucester, unaware of Edmund’s treachery, calls for his son: “call’st on him that hates thee.”
• Goneril and Regan neglect their father, forcing him to face a storm: "Shut up your doors."

Blindness

• Theme of blindness represents lack of insight and self-knowledge.
• Lear fails to see through Goneril’s deception despite her professed love: “dearer than eye-sight.”
• Gloucester's physical blindness leads to a deeper understanding: “I have no way, and therefore want no eyes.”

Loyalty and Disloyalty

• Stark contrast between the loyalty of characters like Gloucester, Kent, and Cordelia versus the disloyalty of Goneril and Regan.
• Edgar displays loyalty to Gloucester in thwarting Edmund’s schemes.

Filial Loyalty vs Ingratitude

• Cordelia exemplifies filial loyalty but is overlooked by her father.
• Goneril and Regan's scheming signifies filial ingratitude after gaining power.
• Their plans to “hit together” against Lear highlight neglect and betrayal.

Appearance vs Reality

• Many characters wear masks to conceal true intentions, creating a theme of deception.
• Cordelia sees through her sisters’ false appearances: “I know you what you are.”
• Kent disguises himself as Caius to deliver truthfully without revealing his identity.
• Edmund feigns loyalty to Gloucester while plotting his downfall.
• Edgar's disguise as Poor Tom allows him to navigate danger safely.

Madness

• Edgar’s feigned madness is a survival tactic, allowing him to blend in.
• Lear’s madness manifests due to Goneril and Regan’s betrayal: “My wits begin to turn.”
• Lear’s descent culminates in a mock trial against his daughters, revealing his lost grip on sanity.
• Cordelia’s recognition of Lear’s madness is encapsulated by her description of him: “mad as the vexed sea.”
• Lear regains clarity and seeks forgiveness from Cordelia, marking his character's tragic arc: “You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget and forgive.”

This quiz explores key themes in Shakespeare's 'King Lear', focusing on the concepts of the unnatural versus the natural. It examines how Lear's abdication distorts the natural order and leads to chaos in the play. Dive deep into the implications of these themes and their significance in restoring order.