How have different productions explored the theme of power in "King Lear? ... The struggle for power is the essential, basic theme in William Shakespeare's "King Lear". ... Through a multitude of critical analysis and interpretations, over the course of history, "King Lear" has been produced under difference social and cultural contexts. ... And this is certainly true in the play, highlighted by Lear's initial pride: "Come not between the dragon and his wrath," and his insight gained during the storm: 'The king falls from bias of nature'. ... But during the storm sce...

• Word Count: 441
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

King Lear is a text that has been continually recontexualised but its universal nature is reflected through its reception in a range of contexts. ... King Lear explores how responsibility and order are one and the same with power and authority. ... It is ironic when Lear wishes to "unburthen'd crawl towards death" as a King was expected to lead and protect his people until his death. ... Following both the major plot of King Lear's family, and the parallel plot of Gloucester's family, the parental flaws of the patriarch's King Lear and Gloucester become evident, b...

• Word Count: 1414
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Has your study of King Lear and its reception in a range of contexts lead you to believe the play supports or sabotages structures of power? ... Structures of power are intrinsic to the play King Lear and its function as a seventeenth century power play. ... Interpretations of this message have varied since the initial performance of King Lear in 1606 and are continually adapting to changes within society and human development in general. ... Imre Csiszar's 1981 interpretation of King Lear is one of several attempts to adapt the play to its specific audience and context, with his interpr...

• Word Count: 1753
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

King Lear, like all texts, has been interpreted in a number of ways. ... In a contemporary society however, King Lear has been received very differently. ... New social views have brought new readings of King Lear and one of these is that of Richard Eyre. ... As a result, Eyre's reading presents King Lear as a domestic rather than a social tragedy. ... King Lear has been and will always be read in a variety of ways. ...

• Word Count: 1119
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate