King Lear
• Medieval/Renaissance court: absolute power of monarch
• Family context; sibling rivalry brought to its extreme: no mother, no h e i r . . .
• Political intrigue, treachery and betrayal; desire for power excludes most other values
• Aristocratic context . . .
However, the ordinary people play a small but significant role, usually positive.
Few details of the texture of the world are given, e.g. food, clothes, rituals of the day.
• Medieval/Renaissance court: absolute power of monarch
• Family context; sibling rivalry brought to its extreme: no mother, no h e i r . . .
• Political intrigue, treachery and betrayal; desire for power excludes most other values
• Aristocratic context . . .
However, the ordinary people play a small but significant role, usually positive.
Few details of the texture of the world are given, e.g. food, clothes, rituals of the day.
Sir, I love you more than word can yield the matter;
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; As much as child e’er loved, or father found A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. Beyond all manner of so much I love you(1.1.55–61). |