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Personally, I think it is very easy to come away from this play with visions of a nihilistic universe, as suggested by the critic Jan kott. Mostly because of the destructiveness of Edmund, goneril, regan and Cornwall, the death of gloucester and Lear even just having completed their spiritual pilgrimages, the seemingly pointless, superfluous death of lear and cordelia, soon to be followed by Kent, the utter rejections and subversion of established laws by Edmund and the eventual denial of all real existence by lear. However, I think Shakespeare illustrates through King Lear a poignant painting of a universe that is ultimately ruled by order. Don't forget that although many of the good die, every bad character dies as a result of their own maligancy, therefore portraying the message that evil self destructs. Edgar, now more fit to rule than anyone we could possibly imagine, is set to rule over the 'gor'd' state. Overall, then, in my opinion and many of those before me, the message to be taken away is this; that although suffering can seem pointless and the Gods can seem cruel, like 'wanton boys', it is all necessary to restore the order of the universe, which is a kind of harmonistic ecosystem in which everything balances out in the end, no matter how hihg the price. Faith in this and faith in the endurance of man, I think must prevail as the final message of Shakespeare's finest play.
Personally, I think it is very easy to come away from this play with visions of a nihilistic universe, as suggested by the critic Jan kott. Mostly because of the destructiveness of Edmund, goneril, regan and Cornwall, the death of gloucester and Lear even just having completed their spiritual pilgrimages, the seemingly pointless, superfluous death of lear and cordelia, soon to be followed by Kent, the utter rejections and subversion of established laws by Edmund and the eventual denial of all real existence by lear. However, I think Shakespeare illustrates through King Lear a poignant painting of a universe that is ultimately ruled by order. Don't forget that although many of the good die, every bad character dies as a result of their own maligancy, therefore portraying the message that evil self destructs. Edgar, now more fit to rule than anyone we could possibly imagine, is set to rule over the 'gor'd' state. Overall, then, in my opinion and many of those before me, the message to be taken away is this; that although suffering can seem pointless and the Gods can seem cruel, like 'wanton boys', it is all necessary to restore the order of the universe, which is a kind of harmonistic ecosystem in which everything balances out in the end, no matter how hihg the price. Faith in this and faith in the endurance of man, I think must prevail as the final message of Shakespeare's finest play.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The message of "King Lear" is often interpreted as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride, arrogance, and the betrayal of trust. Through the tragic story of King Lear and his daughters, Shakespeare explores themes of power, loyalty, and the complexity of human nature. Ultimately, the play suggests that true wisdom comes from humility, self-awareness, and the recognition of one's own limitations.
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What kind of literature did William shakespeare make?
No, he did not. Shakespeare was a playwright and a poet, famed for his sonnets.
How are Edmund and gloucester characterized in the book King Lear?
Just to be clear, King Lear is a play. It was meant to be watched, not read as a book. In the play, Gloucester is a kindly old buffer who loves his sons and is loyal to his king. Edmund, his illegitimate son, is an embittered, cynical, unscrupulous social climber.
What is a form of media such as a play or movie other than a book that has the theme you never know what you have until its gone?
King Lear by Shakespeare kind of has that theme. Lear is not aware of his youngest daughter's love until after: he has banished her, been subjected to his other daughters cruelty and gone mad. In the end, he is only aware of her love for a short period before she is hanged and he dies too.
What book limerick book did edward lear write?
Edward Lear wrote a book titled "A Book of Nonsense," which was published in 1846. This book contained many limericks and humorous poems that became popular and established Lear as a prominent writer of nonsense literature.
What is the name of William Shakespeare's famous book?
William Shakespeare is most famous for his plays, which are printed in book form but are intended to be performed, not read. He also had some poetry published as books which was intended to be read, called Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece and William Shakespeare's Sonnets. Among the plays, the more famous are Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Henry V, Richard III, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet and Othello.
What has the author Arthur S Rosenblatt written?
Arthur S. Rosenblatt has written: 'Strawberry Shortcake and the deep, dark woods' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Lost children, Fiction 'William Shakespeare's King Lear' -- subject(s): English literature, Examinations, History and criticism, Kings and rulers in literature, Lear, King (Legendary character), in literature, Study guides, Tragedy 'The Care Bears battle the freeze machine' -- subject(s): Bears, Fiction, Friendship 'Please Hang Up'
What has the author Ian Pollock written?
Ian Pollock has written: 'Beware of the cat' -- subject(s): Cats in art 'Pollocks' 'Ian Pollock's illustrated King Lear' -- subject(s): Britons, Cartoons and comics, Comic book, strips, Drama, King Lear (Legendary character), Kings and rulers, Plays
Where did shakespeare get the idea for macbeth?
Macbeth is based on a real Scottish King. Shakespeare got the idea for his play Macbeth from reading a book called Holinshed's Chronicles, which contains the plot pretty much as Shakespeare wrote it. Shakespeare did not change it to try and flatter King James, who was the King at the time this play was performed. The story was like that in Holinshed, because Holinshed's sources had changed it to flatter King James's ancestors.
Why were there witches in Macbeth?
Macbeth was written and performed for King James. Shakespeare wanted to please the king, so he wrote a fairly short play (James liked short plays). King James himself had written a book on witches and how to detect them. For this, Shakespeare decided to add a supernatural twist to his play, as to please the king. Basically the King wrote a book about witches so Shakespeare thought putting witches in his play would please the king. Source: http://home.flash.net/~manniac/macb.htm
Does William Shakespeare have a book?
yes William Shakespeare does have a book
Who was known as 'The Father of Limericks'?
Edward Lear is known as 'The Father of Limericks' for his popularization of the five-line humorous poem. Lear's book "A Book of Nonsense" published in 1846, contained numerous limericks that helped establish the form's popularity.
Did Edward Lear invent the limerick?
Edward Lear did not invent the limerick, but he is credited with popularizing the form. Limericks have been around for centuries, originating in Ireland. Lear's famous book "A Book of Nonsense" helped to bring limericks into mainstream literature in the 19th century.
