King Lear can be read in a variety of ways.

When King Lear was originally written, most audiences would have interpreted it through an Elizabethan perspective. The Elizabethan society believed very strongly in social order and structure. Everything in life had its place under God in what was referred to as the ‘great-chain-of-being’, and essentially it was a theocentric (God centered) age. Elizabethans believed that if anyone, particularly someone high up in the social hierarchy, disturbed the g

Another social belief of this time that shaped the Elizabethan reading of the play was that natural order could only be maintained if reason ruled over passion within the mind of individuals. When Lear therefore decides to let his emotions rule his reasoning and rashly banishes Cordelia from the kingdom, it was not surprising that disaster resulted. Lear sinned against the natural order of society and this is ultimately what leads to disagreements and disorder across the whole Kingdom. ‘Take but degree away, untune that string, And hark, what dischord follows.’ (Act 1, Scene 3, line 109-110)

Eyre also uses the set designs in his film production to reveal his perspective of the play. Using a minimalist style for the set designs Eyre takes the emphasis of the play away from Lear’s kingly splendors and places it on the most basic social structure - the family. Eyre does not create scenes containing large crowds of people, because the play according to his perspective is essentially not about the state but about the family.. Eyre uses set designs and stage directions to emphasis what be believes to be the most important aspect of the play, the family.

Shakespeare uses a variety of literary techniques to reveal the Elizabethan perspective. Through his use of imagery Shakespeare very clearly reveals the disorder that is seen to be occurring within Lear’s Kingdom. Perhaps the clearest illustration is through the storm, which metaphorically symbolizes the turmoil and confusion that is occurring not only within the mind of Lear, but over the whole state. Animalistic imagery, used by Lear to describe Regan, reveals how characters that step outsid

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