Lear and Context

Summary

In this analysis of Shakespeare's *King Lear*, Mary Morrissey explores the complex historical context and political themes of the play. She discusses Shakespeare’s sources, Renaissance ideologies on kingship, and the tragic nature of Lear’s decisions. Morrissey emphasizes the tension between divine right and the consequences of Lear’s choice to divide his kingdom, as well as the philosophical questions raised by the absence of natural law and Providence. The video also compares the original tragic ending with Nahum Tate's happier version, questioning how modern audiences respond to the bleakness of Shakespeare’s original conclusion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shakespeare's King Lear cannot be understood in terms of a single historical background, as his works were shaped by ongoing political and cultural changes.
• 😀 The concept of 'context' should not treat history as static but should consider the dynamic relationship between historical moments and literary texts.
• 😀 King Lear was probably written between 1604 and 1606 and was first performed in public in 1606, with its first printed edition appearing shortly after in 1608.
• 😀 The play's historical sources come from Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles and Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia, blending historical and legendary elements.
• 😀 Lear's kingdom division reflects Renaissance ideologies of kingship, where monarchs cannot simply 'retire'—their rule is divinely appointed and lifelong.
• 😀 In Shakespeare's time, dividing a kingdom was politically controversial, especially with King James attempting a political union of Scotland, England, and Wales.
• 😀 The tragic nature of King Lear is influenced by the absence of natural law and Providence, with characters questioning morality and divine justice.
• 😀 The play critiques human nature, suggesting that humans are capable of selfishness and cruelty, as much as selflessness and sympathy.
• 😀 The bleakness of King Lear's ending reflects the idea that the world might lack natural order or divine intervention to ensure justice, a thought experiment on the consequences of such a world.
• 😀 The differing endings between the quarto and folio versions of King Lear, with the quarto attributing the final lines to Albany and the folio to Edgar, may indicate Shakespeare's dissatisfaction with the ending.
• 😀 For a long period, Nahum Tate's revision of King Lear, which had a happier ending, was preferred by theater audiences, reflecting a desire for hope and restoration in the play's conclusion.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker in discussing Shakespeare's *King Lear*?

The speaker, Mary Morrissey, emphasizes that the historical context of *King Lear* should not be understood as a static background. Instead, she suggests considering the dynamic relationship between texts and their historical moment, focusing on how plays like *King Lear* may both reflect and influence cultural and political shifts.

Why does the speaker argue against treating the historical context of *King Lear* as static?

The speaker argues that if we treat historical context as static, we risk oversimplifying the relationship between literature and history. Shakespeare lived in a time of significant change, and a single historical background for his plays would obscure the complexity of the cultural and political forces at work.

What are the key dates to consider when analyzing the historical context of *King Lear*?

The key dates to consider include: when the play is set (around 800 BC, based on historical sources), when it was written (likely between 1604 and 1606), its first performance (probably in 1606), and its publication history, including its first printed edition in 1608 and inclusion in the 1623 First Folio.

How does the speaker view *King Lear* in terms of Shakespeare's broader body of work?

The speaker suggests that *King Lear* is not the final tragedy in Shakespeare's career but rather one of many, with other plays like *The Winter's Tale* written after it, offering more optimistic tones. Additionally, Shakespeare had a deep history of writing historical plays before *King Lear*.

What is the significance of Shakespeare's sources for *King Lear*?

The main plot of *King Lear* is derived from Raphael Holinshed's *Chronicles of Great Britain and Ireland* (1577, 1587), while the subplot about Gloucester comes from Sir Philip Sidney's *Arcadia*. These sources were key to shaping the play’s content, blending historical narrative with romance.

Why does the speaker mention the pagan setting of *King Lear*?

The pagan setting of *King Lear* is significant because Shakespeare's audience would have understood it as a distant, uncivilized past where the characters worshipped cruel and capricious gods. This reinforces the bleak and chaotic tone of the play, as well as its exploration of the absence of divine intervention or moral order.

How does the speaker connect the themes of *King Lear* to Renaissance ideologies of kingship?

The speaker highlights that the play's division of the kingdom reflects the violation of Renaissance beliefs about kingship, where a monarch’s duty is divinely appointed and cannot be relinquished. Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom is portrayed as irresponsible, echoing the instability that such actions could cause, as seen in Shakespeare's history plays.

What historical context is relevant to understanding the political themes in *King Lear*?

The political context of the time is important, particularly the union of Scotland and England under King James VI and I. The play's exploration of divided kingdoms mirrors the political tensions of the time, as James attempted to unite the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The idea of a divided monarchy was politically sensitive during Shakespeare’s era.

What is the significance of the play’s treatment of natural law and Providence?

The speaker suggests that *King Lear* acts as a thought experiment, imagining a world where natural law and Providence do not exist. The play explores the consequences of such a world, where moral order is questioned, and evil is not punished. This is reflected in the characters' actions and the overall bleakness of the play’s resolution.

How does the speaker explain the bleak tone of *King Lear*?

The speaker explains that the bleak tone of *King Lear* arises from the absence of natural law and Providence, two concepts central to the Renaissance worldview. The characters' actions—such as the cruelty of Regan and Goneril—suggest a world without moral order, where the good do not triumph over evil, leading to a tragic and unresolved ending.