Viewing and Critiquing King Lear Act III Scene II

Lesson 8 EBGU4
Support question # 10
Viewing and critiquing King Lear Act III scene ii
Theatre: Review
Benafsha Ahmadi
February 5, 2013
King Lear
Directed by Ouzounian
Written by William Shakespeare

To begin Viewing and critiquing King Lear Act III scene ii, Directed by Richard Ouzounian, written by William Shakespeare, I noticed that overall the production is good, but there are some weaknesses that could be better if a little afford applied and similarly, there are strength that gives the production good features. I watch the scene and I found out that the strengths and weakness of the production are equally analyzable. First I would like to critique the weaknesses in the production: in my point of view, the scene decoration, characters costumes and the severity of storm could be better if a little more afford applied—by blowing up some stuff like leaves, sticks or show the wind whaling wildly and dancing like tornedo and also dressing Lear in most King’s interesting costumes. Also the character that plays the role of King Lear could be older than the current character because he is not old enough to stir up audience emotional. In addition, if the character of fool bertried in thinner guy than current one, it would be more suitable because usually when you imaging a fool, you can see a very quick little guy.
Soundly, in the production there are strengths as well --such as intonation, pausing, emphasis, volume, facial expression, and body language. The character of King Lear by applying above techniques used to convey and show relationships between himself, fool, Kent, God; and his stage of madness. For example, when he says, “ Blow winds, and crack your cheeks” (III ii 5) he is look up ward to the sky and it conveys that he is talking to his Lord. Or in other point, he gives hugs and kisses fool “Come on, my boy. How dost, my boy? Art cold? Which show his new understanding of poor world and his relationship with them. His Voice volume emphasises that he is struggling to keep his sanity. He takes pausing by holding his knees, which shows how the real storm groaning insight him mind and he exposes himself to the weather which show that because of his insight pain he does not feel the outer pain. His restless movement is convincing the audience of his downfall realization.

Therefore, by taking inconsideration the above elements, I think this production is consisting of both—weakness and strength, which overall made convention.

Support question 11

characters | Scene iv | Edgar (poor Tom) | “I used to be an honorable devoted servant who curled his hair, wore his mistress’s glove in his hat as a token of her affection, and slept with his mistress whenever she wanted. I swore oaths with every other word out of my mouth, and broke the oaths shamelessly. I used to dream of having sex and wake up to do it. I loved wine and gambling, and had more women than a Turkish sultan keeps in his harem. I was disloyal and violent…..”
Summary: Edgars’ speeches show the nature of life in the current fallen state if Lear universe. | King Lear | “O Regan, Goneril, Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all—Oh, that way madness lies. / Let me shun that.”Summary: even dough Lear’s unexpected and sudden downfall brought him to the statue of insanity; he tries and straggles to stay saint. “What, has his daughters brought him to this pass?—Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give 'em all?”(60)Summary: Lear correctly realized his mistake that cause his downfall and he says this to Edgar in very unconscious situation, which shows that he still sees the world in a distorted lens.“is man no more than this?....Thou ow’st the worm no silk, the beast no/ hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume” (105-107)Summary: Lear is curiously asks the basic question about man’s true nature: as who are we really? He has a new vision of humanity. | fool | This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.(78-79)Summary: fool’s speech suggests that—life may never redeem; Lear may have to endure a fallen state permanently.“prithee, Nuncle, be contented, ‘tis a naughty/ night to swim in” (112-113)Summary: the fool advice Lear to stay warm, otherwise he may literally get cold and die in a story night. |

characters | Scene vi | Edgar (poor Tom) | “When we our betters see bearing our woes,/We scarcely think our miseries our foes./…. How light and portable my pain seems now/.. Which makes me bend makes the king bow. / When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, / In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee…..” (110-115)Summary: By watching the king’s downfall, Edgar got the courage and power to fight for his right and against those who victimize him.“Tom will throw his head at them.—Avaunt, you curs! /Tooth that poisons if it bite,/Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim,/Tom will chase them off.—Go away, you mongrels!/Whether you bite to kill,/Mastiff, greyhound, or ugly mutt,” (65) Summary: Edgar will survive by taking his and Lear’s revenge from their enemies and it doesn’t matter for Edgar that how much their enemies are powerful, and dangerous. | King Lear | “I’ll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence./(to EDGAR) Thou robèd man of justice, take thy place./(to FOOL) And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity,Bench by his side./(to KENT) You are o' th' commission./Sit you too”.(35-40)Summary: showing that a wise king should follow the trial, conference with his wise advisers—read carefully and then issue it. So that be able to judge fairly and stay stable and avoid downfall. Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart—see, they bark at me.Look at the three little dogs, Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart—all barking at me.60-65 | fool | “No, he’s a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son, for he’s a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him.” (10-15)Summary: fool is continuing to remind King Lear of his folly while sending the message to the audience—the Elizabethan was smart that she did not give her power to any gentleman before she is achieved her distinction. |