Ap Literature: Analytical Essay Ii of King Lear
BoSeong Kim
Ms. Millar
AP Literature, Period 3
October 11, 2012 AP Literature: Analytical Essay II
Throughout the novel, many of the characters can be pointed out as crazy and disillusioned .As different characters are seen to be talking to themselves and show various sides of their characters, I chose King Lear as one who reveals to me the most surprising and unexpected in the scenes through soliloquies and monologues.
First of all, it is important to know a brief history of King Lear. He is an aging man who is loyal and a father that is loving to his daughters. Lear is identified as very generous especially when he tends to give away most of his responsibilities as a king to his daughters. As innocent and clueless as he is, king Lear simply becomes shocked and upset by his daughters betraying their own father. Later on in the novel, Lear’s whole personality transforms, as he rejects power and politics. Instead, he realizes the most crucial matter is being with the people that he loves. Soon, after seeing poor Tom, he spends precious time with thoughts and feelings for him. All of this information clearly shows how sympathetic and pure King Lear truly is throughout the novel, until 4.6.172-191, which unexpectedly reveals King Lear in a different way.
In this specific scene, King Lear bravely states, “To ’t, luxury, pell-mell—for I lack soldiers.”(4.6 130) By such inappropriate statement to Glouchester, Lear is referring to how they need to be focused on sleeping around with other females for his soldiers as well. Such act is unexpected because I had always seen and judged King Lear as a man who is pure and formal, who tries to act loyal in public. In the beginning of the novel, Lear shows his loyally and generosity when he says, “Meantime, we shall express our darker purpose.—Give me the map there.—Know that we have divided in three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our
Ms. Millar
AP Literature, Period 3
October 11, 2012 AP Literature: Analytical Essay II
Throughout the novel, many of the characters can be pointed out as crazy and disillusioned .As different characters are seen to be talking to themselves and show various sides of their characters, I chose King Lear as one who reveals to me the most surprising and unexpected in the scenes through soliloquies and monologues.
First of all, it is important to know a brief history of King Lear. He is an aging man who is loyal and a father that is loving to his daughters. Lear is identified as very generous especially when he tends to give away most of his responsibilities as a king to his daughters. As innocent and clueless as he is, king Lear simply becomes shocked and upset by his daughters betraying their own father. Later on in the novel, Lear’s whole personality transforms, as he rejects power and politics. Instead, he realizes the most crucial matter is being with the people that he loves. Soon, after seeing poor Tom, he spends precious time with thoughts and feelings for him. All of this information clearly shows how sympathetic and pure King Lear truly is throughout the novel, until 4.6.172-191, which unexpectedly reveals King Lear in a different way.
In this specific scene, King Lear bravely states, “To ’t, luxury, pell-mell—for I lack soldiers.”(4.6 130) By such inappropriate statement to Glouchester, Lear is referring to how they need to be focused on sleeping around with other females for his soldiers as well. Such act is unexpected because I had always seen and judged King Lear as a man who is pure and formal, who tries to act loyal in public. In the beginning of the novel, Lear shows his loyally and generosity when he says, “Meantime, we shall express our darker purpose.—Give me the map there.—Know that we have divided in three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our