How have different productions explored the theme of power in "King Lear? ... The struggle for power is the essential, basic theme in William Shakespeare's "King Lear". ... And this is certainly true in the play, highlighted by Lear's initial pride: "Come not between the dragon and his wrath," and his insight gained during the storm: 'The king falls from bias of nature'. ... But during the storm scene, Lear, played by David Ritchie, removes more and more of his clothes as he realises how he has failed as a king. ... In both the Harlos and STC productions, it is eviden...

• Word Count: 441
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

King Lear is a text that has been continually recontexualised but its universal nature is reflected through its reception in a range of contexts. ... King Lear explores how responsibility and order are one and the same with power and authority. ... Following both the major plot of King Lear's family, and the parallel plot of Gloucester's family, the parental flaws of the patriarch's King Lear and Gloucester become evident, becoming the catalysts to the domestic anarchy to follow. ... King Lear explores the concept of eluding responsibility by placing complete confidence in fate,...

• Word Count: 1414
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Has your study of King Lear and its reception in a range of contexts lead you to believe the play supports or sabotages structures of power? ... Structures of power are intrinsic to the play King Lear and its function as a seventeenth century power play. ... Interpretations of this message have varied since the initial performance of King Lear in 1606 and are continually adapting to changes within society and human development in general. ... Imre Csiszar's 1981 interpretation of King Lear is one of several attempts to adapt the play to its specific audience and context, with his interpr...

• Word Count: 1753
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

King Lear, like all texts, has been interpreted in a number of ways. ... In a contemporary society however, King Lear has been received very differently. ... As a result, Eyre's reading presents King Lear as a domestic rather than a social tragedy. ... While the Elizabethans, as a result of their political and cultural values view the play as a domestic tragedy, and believe the downfall of the Kingdom to be due to Lear's failure as a King. ... King Lear has been and will always be read in a variety of ways. ...

• Word Count: 1119
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate