English Lit: King Lear

  • Q: Discuss the presentation of Lear in Act II Scene IV. Explore the ways Lear changes in this scene commenting on his language and actions. Explore what they reveal at this stage in the play.

‘I shall go mad’

Act II Scene IV welcomes the theme of role reversal and reinforces the evident stripping of power encountered by Lear and the utter mistreatment of Lear which unveil a irrational and vulnerable king from the beginning to the end of the scene.

Symbolism is used to impose an ominous idea from the very beginning of the scene as the fool is quick to interject Lear, and exclaims ‘Winter’s not gone yet, if the wild-geese fly that way’. The fool indicates and rightly so makes the prediction that despite Lear believes he has hit rock bottom and isn’t receiving what is owed to him, things will only get worse. And with this, a negative and malevolent scene to come is projected by Shakespeare. Further, Lear is presented as a poor father. The fool also highlights the theme of role reversal when he announces to Lear ‘Fathers that wear rags’.  Role reversal is envisioned and thrown directly at Lear – how is it that Lear has nothing while his children have complete power and wealth? By ‘rags’, does Shakespeare suggest Lear’s lack of wealth or Lear’s lack of love? Lear has quickly been deprived of both as a consequence of his decisions and he is now left a father with ‘rags’ emphasising he has absolutely been mistreated, and actually, left with absolutely nothing but rags. And to amount to Lear’s impotency, we learn through Kent that Lear comes with a ‘small’ number. Something forced upon Lear and not imposed by Lear; as he lost power earlier in the play he is now losing any followers who are realising they aren’t doing themselves favours by remaining loyal to a powerless man.

Join now!

Lear does come to realise his mistreatment – there is no question about this. Lear full of rage shouts ‘Deny to speak with me! They are sick! They are weary!’. Here, Lear makes quick and sharp statements, he has realised that they are purposely avoiding him and he will have none of it. The fact that the statements are so sharp and concluded with exclamation marks add to the idea of a king revealed of rage and almost shock at the blatant, what the audience identify to be: role reversal.

Later, Lear is additionally portrayed a tyrant and ...

This is a preview of the whole essay