Storm in King Lear

493 Words2 Pages
Storm In King Lear, Shakespeare utilizes many different tools of literature to create a very symbolic piece of writing. Act III shows us many different symbolic pieces, none of which are more important than the storm. The storm is first introduced at the end of act II as King Lear’s daughters (only Goneril and Regan) are kicking him out of Gloucester’s castle. The storm rages through act III during which King Lear is caught in the middle of it. The storm shows the symbolism of King Lear’s internal anger as well as the Great Chain of Being. In scene four of the third act, King Lear says “Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm / Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee. / But where the greater malady is fixed / The lesser is scarce felt.” (III.iv.6). Here he stating the storm may be an issue to Kent but since he, himself, has other, more important issues at hand, the storm doesn’t matter. The other issues King Lear is referring to is his daughters. His daughters have treated him like dirt and kicked him to the curbs. Since then, Lear has been lashing out, and has shown anger towards his daughters. The storm represents this anger. The storm has been described as a dangerous one, one with thunder and lightning. Often, the idea of anger and out lash gets associated with a storm. A storm doesn’t happen all at one instant, it builds up over time. It takes time for the clouds to form and become a deadly force. This is exactly the situation with Lear and his anger. At first, he felt betrayed by Goneril not allowing for his 100 men. But as time progressed, and his daughters allowed for Lear to have less and less men until they said Lear could not have any men, King Lear’s anger was beginning to form. Then, once banished outside, Lear, just like the storm, unleashed. The storm also eludes to the “Great Chain of Being.” According to rules the chain may only be
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