King Lear Research Paper

Nature is God
William Shakespeare’s King Lear is entropic and it’s deliberately meant to represent disorder throughout the play. King Lear is prominent for its great storm that appears in Act 3 scene 2. To recognize the significance of the storm scene one must initially value the magnitude of Nature. Nature is ultimately the foundation of the whole play. Consequently, nature is a social construct. King Lear implores the question “what is Nature?” In the broadest sense, Nature refers to life in general. The word Nature is derived from the Latin word natura, literally meaning birth. Mankind first encountered Nature at the Garden of Eden. This is a location described in the Book of Genesis as being the place where the first man, Adam, and
his wife, Eve, lived after they were created by God. This garden is often used to explain origins of sins and misconduct. Although in a profound meaning it also used to explain the origins of reconciliation and birth. In King Lear, Shakespeare ironically uses “foul weather” symbolism to convey the theme that nature is God himself in disguise.
Shakespeare uses foul weather in the most confined manner to bring about a rapid adjustment. From the start of the play characters have been constrained in many situations where raw emotions have been impeded. Once this change is brought about Nature takes charge. Now the characters are freed and able to express certain emotions.

The sudden transition to the heath with its raging foul weather is a significant transformation. This allows Shakespeare to focus on the magnitude of Nature.
Once the importance of the term “Nature” is implicit it becomes easier to identify with King Lear and its constant references to Nature.
Disorder in King Lear initiates from Lear’s attempt to challenge the “Natural” social order by abandoning his crown to his daughters. Lear proclaims in the first scene his intentions to divide his kingdom and “crawl towards death.” “Hear me, recreant, on thine allegiance, hear me that thou hast sought to make us break our vows, which we durst never yet, and with strained pride To come betwixt our sentence and our power, which nor our nature, nor our place can bear, our potency made good take thy reward.” Soon after he abandons his power Lear banishes Kent. Ironically even after Lear abandons his power he still takes hold of divine responsibilities by banishing Kent. Although Lear does in a sense realize he is going against Nature. He is confused with his decision clarifies why he cannot or perhaps should not divide his kingdom, for it goes against both his “Nature” and his
“place.”
On a small scale foul weather demonstrates disorder in Lear’s mind. When Kent asks the gentlemen, “Who's there, besides foul weather?” He states that “One minded like the weather, most unquietly.” The gentle mean describes Lear’s emotions are as foul as the weather itself. “Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea… Tears his white hair, which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, Catch in their fury and make nothing of (Act 3 Scene 1 pg 123).” Here Shakespeare reveals to the audience about the theme of “nothing.” Shakespeare reveals that Nature is more authoritative than even the strongest

of men. Once Nature comes into power it has the power to blow away even the strongest of men into nothingness.
On a scale of great magnitude the storm scene is used as a method of baptism in order to bring new life with a living community. According to the bible, baptism is a ritual, which brings an individual from a life of sin and misconduct to a life of restoration through God (nature). The bible also affirms that after baptism, individuals become new creatures, partakers of the divine nature, and members of church (community). Baptism is given by pouring water on the forehead. The use of water in the ritual is significant due to the fact that it “washes” away sins. The water stands for the removal of sin and the giving of new life. Ultimately it brings one back to virtuousness.
After Lear goes insane and is withdrawn from the community, Nature comes to his rescue and he is baptized.
“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!.. Singe my white head! And thou all-shaking thunder.”(Act 3 scene 2 pg. 127) These lines in King Lear are the words of the ritual itself. Nature restores Lear back to his pure state. In addition it also changes Lear’s way of judgment on others. He becomes more sympathetic towards individuals. “No, I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing” (Act 3 scene pg. 129) Nature merely exposed evils within human nature to Lear. From Nature he learns a new the lesson of patience and sympathy. Lear cries out to Kent (in disguise) “How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you from seasons such as these... How dost, my boy? Art Cold... Come your hovel.” Lear finally comes to the point where he is draped in
sympathy.

Nature in Shakespeare’s King Lear is not just one of many themes to be discovered but rather it can be considered to be the foundation of the whole play as stated earlier. Discovering Nature in King Lear is like discovering an elephant is ones living room, you just can’t miss it! Nature prevails through mankind unknowingly and undyingly and from this the question is brought about: “Is Nature God in disguise?” The characteristics of God are as follows: Eternalness, he always has existed and always will exist. He had no beginning and will never have an ending. Omniscience, He knows all things. Omnipotence, He is all powerful. Lastly, Omnipresence He is everywhere at the same time. As seen in King Lear, Nature flawlessly fits these characteristics.