LEC052024. Jesly Sebastian. Significance and Critical Analysis of Lear's Madness in King Lear.

 What is the significance of the reference to Lear's madness in King Lear ?

1.Shakespeare has portrayed madness as a driving force that leads to the various situations in the play.

2.From the opening scene itself, Lear is in a state of mental disturbance which leads him to divide his kingdom, disown Cordelia and banish Kent.

3.Lear’s madness is further worsened by the ill-treatment he receives from his daughters Regan and Goneril.

4.Madness often becomes a solace for Lear in his helplessness. It saves him from deep agony at the worst of his times.

5.To the end the madness leads him to Cordelia and her care. But as he returns to his senses he has already lost so much that he held dear.


Critically discuss the significance of the reference to Lear's madness in King Lear.

Draft 1

Lear’s lack of judgement or his tragic flow made him mad.

His madness helped him to gain pity from other characters and audience.

The fool tries to advice the mad king by imitating his madness.

Madness made it easy for Lear to endure the sufferings he undergo.

The scene on the heath contrasts the different madnesses portrayed in the play.

Draft 2

The state of madness, the character of Lear goes through plays a major role in the development of dramatic actions in the play ‘King Lear’.

Madness is used by Shakespeare in order to make the dramatic performance a lot more interesting for the audience.

The madness of Lear is portrayed parallel to the madness of Tom or Edgar who chose to be a mad man to escape from getting killed or punished.

Shakespeare uses madness in order to evoke sympathy towards Lear in the audience.

Lear’s madness is portrayed as a serious character trait in contrast with the comic relief created by the madness of Tom and the fool.

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