Showing posts with label weep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weep. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Shakespeare's Specific Series'

Shakespeare is very good at having his characters really EMPHASIZE their points with series'. for example: Glouster says, "we have seen the best of our time:" this alone might have made his point. BUT he takes it a step further with this:
 "machinations, hollowness, treachery and all ruinous disorders follow us disquitely to our graves" (Act I scene II)
He did not have to give us that detailed description of what is left, but because he did, it gives the reader/audience memeber a sense of much deeper, and much more specific despair.


He uses series to make a local point very global:
"love cools, freidnship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond craked 'twixt son and father" (act I Scene II)
So many problems in the world, and he compares a bond broken between a father and son to treason in a kingdom. We then get a sense of how deeply he feels betrayed because of this juxtaposition.

To emphasize loyalty: Kent could have easily just said, "I will serve loyally" but instead takes it that much further, and swears loyalty in a much stronger way when saying:
"to serve him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear judgement; to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish"(act I scene IV)


Shakespeare creates a witty fool with wordplay:"they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace" (act I scene IV)


In empasizing incredulousness at his daughters' lecherous behaviour:
"They durst not do't;
They could not, would not dot; 't is worse than murder" (Act II scene IV)


By use of word-play and series, Lear's  feelings are magnified and maddened. Truely creating a clear image of frustration and anger (even without seeing an actor perform it)
"You think I'll weep; No, I'll not weep:
I have full cause of weeping; but this heart
Shall brake into a hundred thousand flaws,
 Or ere I'll weep." (Act II scene IV)