King Lear's Fool

In Shakespeare's King Lear one of the most significant characters is one of the most unlikely. This character is "The Fool", who contributes alot to the play through his hilarious wit. The fool through his expected character freely expresses his opinions without any form of redress. His opinions which would have had any other man beheaded in an instance are expected and accepted. The Fool's role, unbeknownst to the other characters in the play takes on the likeness of a preacher or critic, which everyone takes for jest. In his 'jest' he makes everyone think he is joking when in actuallity he is speaking out upon the injustices and other evils going on in the castle. Due to the Fool's wit many reader's have donned him as the sharpest and cleverest character in the play, King Lear; and I can't say that I don't agree.

King Lear(paperback) vs. King Lear(movie dramatization)

'King Lear', one of Shakespeare's greastest tragedies, is a play which is understood and therefore, appreciated much more when the use of both the paperback and the movie dramatization are employed. With the book alone one may not get the full meaning or jist of the conversations and actions going on in the play. On the other hand with the movie dramatization alone the flow of the conversation might be interrupted and understanding lost because of missing one or two words or lines. As we have recognized, standing alone these two elements have their various limitations, but together they cover each other's weaknesses and strengthen each other's strengths.

King Lear's reaction to Cordelia's response

King Lear was infuriated by Cordelia's answer. He, not even a normal man but a king who got everything he wanted being denied choice words from his most favorite person in the world(after himself), really got him flustered. It is said that when something hurts you the most its because you care about that person that much. So King Lear hearing this form of response from the one he loves the most is extremely hurt and as any other human he responds and gets carried away in his anger. In his rash behaviour he disowns the only daughter who truly loves him. :(

Cordelia's TRUTHFUL 'profession of love for King Lear (decoded:)

CORDELIA
Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I
Return those duties back as are right fit,
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say
They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry
Half my love with him, half my care and duty:
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,
To love my father all.

Modern speech:
It is good Dad,
That you had me, took care of me and loved me: I
I am thankful that you did and I also love you,
And respect you as I should.
If my sisters love you as much as they say, why then did they get married?
If I ever do marry my husband
Will have half my love and half of my respect and duty:
But unlike my sisters I won't lie,
About how much love I have for you.

Regan's profession of love for King Lear (decoded:)

REGAN
Sir, I am made
Of the self-same metal that my sister is,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
I find she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short: that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys,
Which the most precious square of sense possesses;
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love.



Modern speech:
Dad, all my sister says are my exact sentiments,
So think of her as a representative of the both of us.
Truly what she says is exactly the way i feel for you;
Except i love you a bit more: so much more
That my only joy is the love I have for you,
And I alone would feel as if i achieved something
If all I had was your love.

Goneril's profession of love for King Lear (decoded:)

GONERIL
Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
As much as child e'er loved, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

Modern speech:
I love you more than any words could ever say;
Even more than my own eyes, more than the world and more than freedom;
I love you more than jewels can be valued, more than diamonds are rich and rare;
I love you as much as if life was perfect;
No child has ever loved their father as much as I love you;
My love for you is a love which would make breathing needless and make one speechless;
And this is how great my love for you is.