In Shakespeare’s play, ‘King Lear’, we are shown an array of characters that are multi-dimensional and extremely complex. Shakespeare has the ability to reveal a human character with an exceptional use of language. The three characters that I believe have large roles and functions within the play are, understandably, King Lear himself, The Fool, and Kent. The Fool acts as Lear's conscience and trusted guide, yet he is also a critic of Lear, a truth teller. In effect this makes a true friend, however some believe it was the Fool's constant remarks that drove Lear to madness.
Shakespeare uses disguise as a means for survival for some, whereas for others he uses it to trick the characters during the play and make them act foolishly. He entertains the audience by using a number of techniques, including ironic humour and dramatic irony to engage the audience, enabling them to explore the characters and relationships within the play. The audience can connect and feel empathy for the characters allowing them to understand the humour inside the play. The deceptions come in many different forms, including deliberate or accidental deception, self-deception and others creating humour for the audience. The most obvious examples of disguise and deception are Viola disguising herself as a boy, Cesario, Maria and Sir Toby playing their trick on Malvolio, and Orsino’s ‘love’ for Olivia, a beautiful countess who he does not meet until the final scene.
With this comparison comes the first accentuated fault. Although Lear and Gloucester are both deceived by lies, it is easier for the reader to comprehend why Gloucester is deceived. Lear's pompous attitude leaves him susceptible and perhaps deserving of such deception. He commands his daughters to profess their love for him. In the case of Regan and
William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night A study showing how Shakespeare's choice of form, structure and language shape meaning by Jenia Geraghty Wit, and't be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits that think they have thee do very oft prove fools; and I that am sure I lack thee may pass for a wise man. For what says Quinapalus? 'Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.'
More than these, I think Lear is motivated by his idea that he is a good man. One thing that supports is when Kent says “I’ll tell thee thou dost evil,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 175) and Shakespeare writes the king as reacting in a frenzy, going so far as to say “This moment is thy death,” (Act I, Scene I, Line 190). By portraying the king in this way, Shakespeare causes us to judge him as unstable and mental. While his actions thus far have been rash, him reacting in this way, and him banishing his daughter saying, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood,” (Act I, Scene I, Lines 117-118). From these thing, it is made clear that Lear is not only rash and insecure but also thoughtless and stupid.
It is usually done for the purpose of entertainment. Throughout the whole play, Shakespeare creates comic effects to amuse his audience. In this essay, I will discuss the use of pun, comic characters, sub-plot, misunderstood conversations and dramatic irony. Many characters in Twelfth Night love playing with words. Wordplay can create comic effect and give a sense of chaos.
Peter quince is one of the illustrious Mechanicals who puts on the play, Pyramus and Thisbe. In the mockery of a "play within the play,” Shakespeare punctuated Quince's Prologue, incorrectly in order to make it comical. Therefore the meaning of what Quince says is different from what he intends. "If we offend, it is with our good will. That..." The sentence here should read "if we offend, it is our good will that...” Therefore Shakespeare uses the mechanicals to create comedy.
When this is juxtaposed with Ophelia’s legitimate insanity, it becomes clear that Hamlet is still performing. Ophelia speaks cryptically in Act 4, using metaphors and imagery of nature. Her use of rhyme and poetry also adds to the audiences understanding of true madness. Hamlet’s performance turns to reality directly after he murders Polonius in cold-blood. If Hamlet were sane he would have shown an emotional reaction.
Iago, who is known as the Machiavellian villain perpetuates the tragedy by bringing forward a hamartia or a fatal flaw from Othello. As soon as the play begins, Shakespeare used dramatic irony to illustrate Othello’s view of Iago as an honest and trustworthy man through his repeated description of “honest Iago” and “a man of exceeding honesty” to the audience. Of course that is not the case, the audience views Iago to be “Janus-faced” and deceptive through his constant declaration of “I am not what I am” and how he “hates the moor”. This juxtaposition is created so that the audience can empathise with Othello. I know I can definitely empathise with him.
Madness in Hamlet and King Lear The subject of madness is a major theme in two of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, “Hamlet” and “King Lear”. In both of these plays, a character feigns insanity to carry out a motive - Hamlet and Edgar respectively. However, while it is made quite clear to the audience that Edgar is only pretending to be a mad beggar (“Whiles I may escape I will preserve myself, and am bethought to take the basest and most poorest shape that ever penury, in contempt of man brought near to beast”), it is somewhat less clear whether Hamlet has crossed the line and lost control of his “antic disposition”. Shakespeare gives evidence which suggests that Hamlet is sane by having three other men also witness the manifestation of the ghost of Hamlet’s father. If Hamlet were to have seen his father’s ghost by himself, there would be a greater argument for him being insane from the outset of the play.