Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Storm

So now that we no that King Lear is selfish and and begs his daughters to keep the knights, he becomes enraged at that and decides to leave the castle.  I did not see this coming, I mean what difference does it make if Lear has 25 knights or 50.  He seems a little selfish at this point thinking he needs all of these people to protect them, which then again may make sense because he is becoming very old and he needs all of the help and guidance, and reassurance that he can get.

Lear storms out of the castle and is frustrated and takes the Fool along with him.  The Fool does him no good throughout his frustrated battle through the storm, but who would expect him to?  It is storming, thundering. lightning, and is even described as so intense that it keeps the animals hidden in their homes.  Usually animals could travel through pretty severe weather, but in this case the storm was too intense.  The text is full of imagery, and the storm is describing how angry Lear is at the time, as well as the state of France, and life back at the castle.  There is a sense of tension and uprising in all of these areas and the storm only exemplifies this situation.

It is somewhat ironic that Lear is offered shelter, even though it is just a little hut, and enough to keep away from the storm which Lear continues to fight.  I cannot imagine this old King making his way through these gruesome conditions and still coming out alive.  The storm is so strong it is causing floods, it is strong enough to split trees, and to singe the white hair on Lear's head.  Maybe this could be possibly foreshadowing Lear being struck by lightning?  We will see as we continue to read further, but up to this point i see the storm as describing the state of France, Life back at Gloucester's castle, and Lear's mind, which is all in a fury of enragement

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