Shakespeare's Dynamic Use Of Irony In King Lear
Erik Irre
April 26, 1999
"Fools and Kings"
Shakespeare's dynamic use of irony in King Lear aids the microcosmic illustration of not only 16th century Britain, but of all times and places. The theme that best develops this illustration is the discussion of fools and their foolishness. This discussion allows
Shakespeare not only to portray human nature, but also to elicit a sort of Socratic introspection into the nature of society's own ignorance as well. One type of fool that Shakespeare involves in King Lear is the immoral fool.
Edmund, for instance, may be seen as a fool in the sense that he is morally weak. His foolishness lies in the fact that he has no sense of right or justice, which rewards him with an untimely, …show more content…
When he says, "I have no way and therefore want no eyes, / I stumbled when I saw" (IV.i.173), he seems to be illustrating the realization of his own foolishness. Gloucester illustrates, through his use of verbal irony, that his foolishness lies in the fact that he never truly saw anything (e.g. the true nature of Edmund or Edgar) until he was blind. Another example of Gloucester's ignorant foolishness is the misfortune he predicts at the beginning of the play. He says, "These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects. Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide...in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son and father" (I, ii, 103-109).
This statement ironically predicts the vast majority of the play with uncanny accuracy.
Shakespeare seems to be using Gloucester as a tool to provide more insight into the nature of foolishness. Another ignorant fool, and obviously one of the most important, is King Lear himself. Shakespeare deliberately uses Lear as a representation of the darker side …show more content…
This character is extremely dynamic throughout the play. He is seen by Lear and others as a simple-minded idiot, in the court to entertain the king and his daughters. However, as the play progresses, the fool proves to be the wisest character in the play. Paraphrased, he says one should never judge wisdom by office. The Fool speaks some of the most insightful words in the play. He says to his "nuncle," "Thou had'st little wit in thy bald crown when thy gavest thine golden one away." (I.iv.155-156) The fool here shows poignant insight into the position of the king, telling him that there was no justification or intelligence in Lear's giving his properties to his eldest daughters. In King Lear, the play seems to revolve around the wisdom of the Fool. He expresses his concern to Kent, stating, "Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it" (II.ii.261-262) The Fool's use of metaphor expresses his cognizance of the events taking place in the play. Shakespeare's use of fools and foolishness in King Lear represents an insight into popular
April 26, 1999
"Fools and Kings"
Shakespeare's dynamic use of irony in King Lear aids the microcosmic illustration of not only 16th century Britain, but of all times and places. The theme that best develops this illustration is the discussion of fools and their foolishness. This discussion allows
Shakespeare not only to portray human nature, but also to elicit a sort of Socratic introspection into the nature of society's own ignorance as well. One type of fool that Shakespeare involves in King Lear is the immoral fool.
Edmund, for instance, may be seen as a fool in the sense that he is morally weak. His foolishness lies in the fact that he has no sense of right or justice, which rewards him with an untimely, …show more content…
When he says, "I have no way and therefore want no eyes, / I stumbled when I saw" (IV.i.173), he seems to be illustrating the realization of his own foolishness. Gloucester illustrates, through his use of verbal irony, that his foolishness lies in the fact that he never truly saw anything (e.g. the true nature of Edmund or Edgar) until he was blind. Another example of Gloucester's ignorant foolishness is the misfortune he predicts at the beginning of the play. He says, "These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects. Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide...in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son and father" (I, ii, 103-109).
This statement ironically predicts the vast majority of the play with uncanny accuracy.
Shakespeare seems to be using Gloucester as a tool to provide more insight into the nature of foolishness. Another ignorant fool, and obviously one of the most important, is King Lear himself. Shakespeare deliberately uses Lear as a representation of the darker side …show more content…
This character is extremely dynamic throughout the play. He is seen by Lear and others as a simple-minded idiot, in the court to entertain the king and his daughters. However, as the play progresses, the fool proves to be the wisest character in the play. Paraphrased, he says one should never judge wisdom by office. The Fool speaks some of the most insightful words in the play. He says to his "nuncle," "Thou had'st little wit in thy bald crown when thy gavest thine golden one away." (I.iv.155-156) The fool here shows poignant insight into the position of the king, telling him that there was no justification or intelligence in Lear's giving his properties to his eldest daughters. In King Lear, the play seems to revolve around the wisdom of the Fool. He expresses his concern to Kent, stating, "Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it" (II.ii.261-262) The Fool's use of metaphor expresses his cognizance of the events taking place in the play. Shakespeare's use of fools and foolishness in King Lear represents an insight into popular