Destruction of the old order in King Lear

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Petrina Blander                July 25, 2005

Destruction of the old order in King Lear

A kingdom without order is a kingdom in chaos (Bartelby.com). In Shakespeare's tragic play, King Lear, the audience witnesses the destruction of old order in a great kingdom. Disorder engulfs the land once King Lear transfers his power to two of his three daughters, Reagan and Goneril, but as the great American writer, A.C. Bradley said, “The ultimate power in the tragic world is a moral order” (Shakespearean Tragedy). By examining the concept of order versus disorder in the setting, plot, and the character King Lear, Bradley’s idea of moral order is clearly demonstrated by the outcome of the play.

"By removing a ‘degree’ or not acting according to the ‘natural’ social order, disorder and disharmony in the whole of the universe are inevitable" (Sarah Doncaster). Bradley’s idea of moral order is evident from the setting of the play. An excellent example from the play would be that of the storms. By using the technique of pathetic fallacy, Shakespeare creates a storm raging in the sky to reflect the storm raging inside of Lear. Upon the heath, Shakespeare intertwines this idea of disorder in the universe and disorder within Lear. King Lear says,

Rumble they bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain!

Nor rain, wind thunder, fire, are my daughter:

I tax you not, you elements, with unkindness;

I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children... (3, ii, 14-17)

Lear's feelings in this passage parallel the disorder of the storm. To bring order to the universe, Lear must start by bringing order to himself. This occurs when he becomes lawful and puts his daughters on trial. Soon after, Lear says, "When the rain came to wet me once and the wind to / make me chatter, when the thunder would not peace / at my bidding, there I found ‘em, there I smelt ‘em out" (4, vi, 100-102). Here, Lear explains how the “storm” actually helped him “see” the truth. Soon after this event occurs, the storm is no where to be found. Lear purges himself of his inner rage and thus calms both the inner storm and the storm raging on earth, and as a result bringing order to the universe. This parallelism between the setting and the character bring out the idea that Bradley was trying to get across, that is, moral order will prevail.

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“Let us understand that the ultimate power or order is 'moral' to mean that it does not show itself indifferent to good and evil, but akin to good and alien from evil.” (A.C. Bradley) The plot of the play is primarily about good versus evil. The first action of the play shows that hierarchy is breaking apart and order imperiled. Lear abdicates, with evasive stipulations, and divides his kingdom. His youngest and fondest daughter, Cordelia asserts her will against his. In a tirade, Lear banishes her and his loyal follower, Kent, who had tried to stay his rashness. His two ...

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