It is not only in the play Hamlet that Shakespeare presents us with anguish and troubles of madness, but it seems to be a recurring theme in many of his plays. Well, actually, every play of his that I know of somehow reflects madness. However, I do not believe that the characters in Shakespeare’s plays are going insane because of the problems they are facing. I think that his characters want attention and when they do not receive that attention, they begin to go mad.
There is madness in the air as soon as we begin to read the play. King Lear has staged a ceremony in which each daughter will announce her love for him. In order to divide his kingdom among his daughters, he wants to see which daughter will profess their love the greatest. His first daughter, Goneril, says she loves her father more than she can say. King Lear thanks her and gives her a small portion of the Kingdom. Regan, his other daughter, says that she loves her father so much that she doesn't like anything else. King Lear thanks her and also gives her a small portion of his Kingdom. Lear leaves the biggest piece of the kingdom open for his favorite daughter, Cordelia, assuming that she will profess her love in the most touching way. Cordelia then says that she loves her father exactly as a daughter should. “I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your majesty according to my bond, no more nor less” (Shakespeare 13). King Lear then goes ballistic and disinherits her.
If Lear had been in his right mind, he would have known that his daughters, Goneril and Regan, were far from worthy caretakers of his Kingdom. That is, unless we are to assume that they became corrupt after being granted a share of their Father's estate. I feel that Lear is not going crazy because of Cordelia’s lack of admiration, but rather because she is not giving him the attention that he wants.
I think madness is certainly a major theme in about every Shakespearean tragedy. The exception might be Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. Less so the former, but the latter, his death is the result of a conspiracy and Brutus commits ritualistic suicide, but otherwise Shakespeare’s plays (Macbeth, Hamlet, Lear, Othello, Titus) definitely have an air of madness about them.
ReplyDeleteThe cause of madness is certainly an interesting point you hit on. Especially in terms of Lear, I think attention might be a really important theme. I think Macbeth is certainly attention seeking and certainly Lady Macbeth, and absolutely King Lear. But why, especially Lear, is he so needy? He's the ruler of a huge kingdom; while I do not have an answer, I do feel there is answer in the play (possible the fool has something to say about it). Interesting concept.
I agree with you Antonella when you mention characters seek attention and when they do not receive the attention they want, they become mad. King Lear expects his daughters, servants and friends to obey his every word. He enjoys his power as King, but does not realize his materialistic views. When Lear asks his youngest daughter to profess her love for him and she does not, Lear disowns her as a daughter. Cordelia admits she loves and respects her father as a daughter should, but does not exaggerate it as her sisters do. Lear expected Cordelia's profession of love to be more exaggerated than her sisters, but because it was the opposite, Lear went mad. Lear received the attention he wanted from Regan and Goneril; therefore, he was pleased and they each received a portion of the land. When Cordelia did not give special attention to her father, his feelings and mentality for her changed. Also I believe, in the time of his madness, not only did Lear disown Cordelia, but he banished Kent because he did not give Lear the response or attention he wanted. He did the opposite. He disagreed with Lear and told him he was insane for disowning Cordelia. I believe since both Cordelia and Kent did not give Lear the attention he wanted, Lear became mad and banished them from his life.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you Antonella. King Lear's actions toward his daughters show a sense of madness and insecurity. Lear wants to hear the public expression of love from his daughters so he can feel that people are loyal and respectful to him. The way Lear needs to ask his daughters to express their love verbally, shows that he can be damaged emotionally and mentally. His madness could have derived from past experiences not written in the play.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that King Lear does not have a queen to assist in parenting his three daughters could have caused him to feel a sense of abandonment. The possibility of the queen leaving Lear or dying could have damaged him emotionally and mentally. Because King Lear has experienced abandonment in his life, he does not want to see his daughters abandon him as well. In an effort to reassure himself that his daughters will not abandon him, Lear forces them to profess their love publicly and verbally. Lear wants his daughters to fully commit to him to show that they will forever be with him. Lear's actions and desires show that he is damaged due to possible past experiences of abandonment, ultimately, causing his madness.