Themes: Madness
Rather than modern terms such as “psychosis” or “dementia,” one can still, with some validity, employ the contemporaneous description “madness” for all the types of mental aberration shown in King Lear. But the king probably has a disorder afflicting the elderly that can be interpreted as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. His violent and irrational reactions, even before he's been subjected to stress and mistreatment by others, indicate he's not thinking clearly. Like the typical dementia patient, Lear goes in and out of his impaired state. On the heath he appears to have lost his senses entirely, shouting uncontrollably and staging a mock trial with Edgar and the Fool. But when reunited with Cordelia, he acts as a quiet, regretful, and rational man. In the final scene, he correctly pronounces Cordelia dead but at the next moment asks that a glass be brought to see if her breath will stain it or if it will stir a feather. His plight might not have been clearly analyzed until the twenty-first century, in which, with the increasing elderly population, dementia has received much more clinical attention and has been more widely understood by the general public than in the past, when it was simply labeled “senility.”
Expert Q&A
What does the quote "The worst is not, So long as we can say 'This is the worst'" mean in King Lear?
The quote "The worst is not, So long as we can say 'This is the worst'" in King Lear means that as long as one can acknowledge and articulate the severity of their situation, they have not yet reached the absolute worst. Edgar suggests that being able to recognize and verbalize suffering indicates a remaining degree of rationality and control, implying that things could deteriorate further to a point beyond even this awareness.
What do the lines "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks. Rage! Blow!" mean in King Lear?
In King Lear, when Lear exclaims "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks. Rage! Blow!" he is expressing his rage and disillusionment by challenging the storm to unleash its fury on him and the world. He personifies the wind, envisioning it as a powerful entity capable of reflecting his own anger. Lear's words also convey his desire for the storm to obliterate humankind, particularly targeting fertile women, an expression of his wrath towards his deceitful daughters who have driven him into the storm.
What is the significance of the lines beginning, "Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire..." in King Lear?
The lines "Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire" reflect Lear's intense mental anguish, likening his suffering to being tortured in hell. His vivid imagery of a "burning wheel" underscores his torment, symbolizing his emotional turmoil throughout the play. Shakespeare's use of alliteration with "L" sounds enhances the imagery, evoking the relentless pain Lear feels, demonstrating his dramatic fall from power and sanity.
How does the following quote relate to the theme of madness in King Lear?
howl howl howl! o you are men of stone
had i your tongue and eyes I'd use them so
That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone forever
i know when one is dead and when ones alive
shes dead as earth
This quote reflects Lear's descent into madness following Cordelia's death, which shatters his fragile recovery and newfound peace. Having reconciled with Cordelia, her death devastates him, reigniting his madness and despair. Lear's inability to comprehend her loss underscores his tragic end, as her death symbolizes the ultimate destruction of his happiness and sanity. Cordelia's death leads Lear back into madness, highlighting the play's theme of the fragility of human sanity and happiness.
What are the most significant changes in Lear throughout the play?
In King Lear, how does Gloucester's punishment parallel Lear's madness?
Gloucester's punishment of being blinded parallels Lear's descent into madness because in both cases these privileged men become more compassionate, question God, and gain much-needed insight due to their suffering. They are no longer complacent and sheltered from reality.
The themes of madness and wisdom in King Lear
The themes of madness and wisdom in King Lear are intertwined, highlighting the fine line between insanity and insight. Lear's descent into madness reveals profound truths about human nature and his own failings, while characters like the Fool and Edgar, who feign madness, offer wise commentary on the events unfolding around them.
In King Lear, what is Lear's mental state when asking 'Poor Tom, did you give all to your daughters?'
When Lear asks "Poor Tom, did you give all to your daughters?" his mental state reflects madness. Lear, already disassociated and tormented by "filial ingratitude," projects his own betrayal onto Edgar, who is disguised as a mad beggar. Despite brief clarity, Lear's mental turmoil is evident as he parallels his situation with Edgar's, indicating a loss of sanity. His question to Edgar reveals his universalized regret and anger towards his daughters' betrayal.
What happens to Lear in the storm on the heath?
In the storm on the heath, Lear's madness intensifies as he fixates on "Filial Ingratitude" and can only see his own suffering. He encounters Edgar, disguised as Tom o' Bedlam, and accuses Tom's daughters of causing his madness. Kent tries to help, but Lear threatens him. Briefly, Lear shows clarity and empathy for others, praying for the "naked wretches" in the storm, but soon lapses back into madness, stripping off his clothes.
King Lear's Reaction to the Storm and Its Thematic Significance
In King Lear, Lear's reaction to the storm on the heath highlights the play's theme of "nothingness." Lear's defiance against the storm, expressed through negation and frustration, mirrors his emotional turmoil and loss after being betrayed by his daughters, Goneril and Regan. This scene, located in Act III, underscores the chaos in Lear's life and kingdom, as the natural storm parallels the political and familial disintegration he experiences, emphasizing his descent into madness.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
