Context & Writers Techniques (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Context & Writer's Techniques

Context in 'King Lear'

Shakespeare's Life

• Born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
• Attended a local grammar school, where he studied Latin and classical texts.
• Moved to London in the late 1580s to pursue a career in theatre.
• Became a prominent playwright and actor by 1592.
• Wrote for the acting troupe Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
• Married Anne Hathaway in 1582; had three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.
• Hamnet, his only son, died at age 11.
• Died in April 1616 at age 52.

History of the Play

• Written between 1605 and 1606.

• Likely first performed on December 26, 1606, before King James I at the court.

• Initial reception was mixed, with some audiences appreciating its depth and complexity, while others found its dark themes unsettling.

• Early performances focused on the play's tragic and dramatic elements, captivating audiences with its intense emotional and psychological depth.

• Adapted and performed in various forms over the centuries, including Nahum Tate's 1681 version with a happy ending, which dominated performances until the 19th century. Textual History:

• First Quarto (1608): The first printed version of "King Lear," often referred to as the "bad quarto."

• First Folio (1623): The more authoritative version of the play, published posthumously in Shakespeare's First Folio.

• Differences: Significant differences between the Quarto and Folio versions, leading to various modern editions combining elements from both texts.

Literary Contexts

The Genre of the Play:

• Tragedy: "King Lear" is a tragedy, characterised by its exploration of human suffering, complex characters, and catastrophic conclusions. Historical and Political Context:

• Elizabethan and Jacobean Era: Written during the early Jacobean era, reflecting contemporary concerns about monarchy, succession, and governance.

• Political Unrest: Reflects anxieties about political stability following Elizabeth I's death and James I's accession, as well as broader issues of kingship and authority. Philosophical Context:

• Renaissance Humanism: Influenced by Renaissance humanism, emphasising the exploration of human nature, individualism, and moral dilemmas.

• Existential and Nihilistic Themes: The play explores themes of existential despair, human cruelty, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Cultural and Social Context:

• Social Hierarchy: Reflects the rigid social hierarchy and gender roles of the time, questioning the nature of authority and social order.

• Family and Duty: Explores themes of familial loyalty, duty, and betrayal, highlighting the complex dynamics within families.

• Madness and Mental Health: Examines contemporary attitudes towards mental health, with Lear's descent into madness being a central theme. Literary Influences:

• Primary Source: Based on the legend of Leir of Britain, as recorded in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae" and the play "The True Chronicle History of King Leir."

• Classical Influences: Shakespeare drew on classical texts, such as those by Seneca, for elements of tragedy and intense emotional conflict.

Writer's Techniques in 'King Lear'

Language and Diction

Verse and Prose:

• Blank Verse: Much of the dialogue, especially among the nobility, is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), providing a formal and elevated tone.

• Prose: Used primarily by characters of lower status or during moments of madness and high emotion, such as Lear's descent into madness or the Fool's commentary. Imagery and Metaphor:

• Natural Imagery: Frequent references to nature, storms, and animals reflect the chaos and disorder within the kingdom and the characters' minds.

• Examples:

• The storm on the heath mirrors Lear's internal turmoil and the kingdom's disarray.

• Animal imagery is used to describe betrayal and brutality, as seen in Lear's description of his daughters as "pelican daughters." Symbolic Language:

• Language is often imbued with symbolism, enhancing the play's thematic depth.

• Eyes and Blindness: Symbolise insight and lack thereof, as characters like Gloucester and Lear gain understanding only after physical or metaphorical blindness.

Structure and Plot Devices

Parallel Plots:

• The play features parallel storylines of Lear and his daughters and Gloucester and his sons, reinforcing themes of betrayal, loyalty, and familial conflict.

• Effect: The mirrored plots highlight the universality of the themes and create a complex narrative structure. Dramatic Irony:

• The audience is aware of critical information that the characters are not, creating tension and poignancy.

• Examples:

• Lear's misjudgment of his daughters' loyalty.

• Gloucester's trust in Edmund and betrayal of Edgar. Foreshadowing:

• Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to hint at the tragic outcomes and heighten dramatic tension.

• Examples:

• Early references to division and discord foreshadow the kingdom's eventual collapse.

• Gloucester's prediction about the chaos following Lear's abdication sets the tone for the ensuing conflict.

Characterization Techniques

Complex Characters:

• Shakespeare develops multifaceted characters with profound psychological depth.

• Lear: A tragic hero whose journey from power to madness reveals themes of pride, suffering, and redemption.

• Edmund: A Machiavellian character whose ambition and manipulation highlight themes of legitimacy and power. Soliloquies and Asides:

• These devices offer insight into the characters' inner thoughts and motivations.

• Examples:

• Edmund's soliloquies reveal his schemes and disdain for societal norms.

• Lear's soliloquies during his madness provide a window into his evolving understanding of justice and humanity. Dynamic Interactions:

• The interplay between characters, particularly Lear and his daughters, is marked by intense emotion and shifting power dynamics.

• Examples:

• Lear's confrontations with Goneril and Regan showcase the erosion of his authority and the cruelty of his daughters.

• The loyalty and kindness of characters like Kent and Cordelia stand in stark contrast to the treachery of others.

Dramatic Techniques

Irony and Paradox:

• Shakespeare employs irony and paradox to underscore the play's themes of appearance versus reality and the inversion of natural order.

• Examples:

• The irony of Lear's madness leads to greater wisdom.

• Paradoxes like "nothing will come of nothing" emphasise the futility and absurdity of human endeavours. Symbolism and Motifs:

• Storm and Weather: Symbolise the tumultuous state of the kingdom and Lear's mind.

• Clothing and Disguise: Reflect themes of identity and deception, as seen in Edgar's transformation into Poor Tom and Kent's disguise. Catharsis and Tragic Flaw:

• Catharsis: The play's tragic resolution evokes a cathartic experience for the audience, culminating in Lear's and other characters' deaths.

• Tragic Flaw: Lear's hubris and rashness are central to his downfall, illustrating the classic elements of tragedy.

Sound and Rhythm

Alliteration and Assonance:

• Shakespeare uses alliteration and assonance to enhance the musicality and emotional impact of the dialogue.
• Examples:
• The repetition of harsh consonants in scenes of conflict heightens the tension.
• The use of soft sounds in moments of tenderness, such as Cordelia's expressions of love for Lear.

Stagecraft and Theatricality

Visual Spectacle:

• The play's stage directions and descriptions create powerful visual spectacles, such as the storm on the heath and the blinding of Gloucester.
• Effect: These scenes enhance the dramatic impact and underscore the play's themes of chaos and suffering.

Use of Prophecy and Superstition:

• Characters frequently reference omens and prophecies, reflecting the ancient world's belief in fate and the supernatural.
• Examples:
• Gloucester's belief in astrology and omens highlights the play's exploration of fate versus free will.