Madness in King Lear: Act 4 Essay -- essays research papers

Madness in King Lear Act 4 In Shakespe atomic number 18s play KingLear, Shakespeare introduces many themes. The most meaning(a) theme shown in King Lear is the theme ofmadness. During the course of this play madness is shown inthe tragic hero, King Lear. King Lear develops madnessright in the startle of the play but he actually shows it inAct 4. In this act, King Lear is not only at the peak ofmadness but it is in any case shown him coming egress of his madnessas well. This act is likely to be the most important actbecause it shows the phases King Lear goes through, fromcomplete madness to him coming out of his madness andrealizing his mistake, the point of tragic vision. The theme ofmadness in King Lear is first shown in the act throughCordelias statement to the guards about the condition her have is in. Cordelia says "Alack, tis he Why, he was meteven now as mad as the vexed sea, singing aloud, crownedwith rank fumiter and furrow-weeds, with hardocks,hemlock, nettles, cucko o-flowers, darnel, and all the idleweeds that conjure in our sustaining corn." Act iv, iv, 1-6.This gives a great description of King Lears state of mind.Cordelia gives a description of King Lear dressed inflowers, and weeds, and she explains to the guards that he issinging aloud. All of these characteristics are unfit for a king,thus, leaving one reasonable explanation of him being mad,which Cordelia states in her speech to the guards. KingLears madness is further illustrated in act 4,...