The Themes - Nature

12 important questions on The Themes - Nature

What can be said about the animal imagery in the play and Lear's final use of it?

It builds up throughout the play; however, Lear's final use of it tears it all down, "why should a dog, a rat...etc"

What can be said about Edgar and nature?

He becomes nothing, almost a natural being.

What is similar about how Edmund and Lear treat nature?

They call unto nature to inflict pain on others, “Hear, Nature, hear, dear goddess…Make this creature fruitful… Dry up in her the organs of increase…" (Lear) = Lear uses nature as one of his subjects to extend his authority
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What evidence shows that 'natural' is a slippery term?

Edmund is referred to as"natural child" describing illegitimacy  although Edmund is called "natural son" with his loyalty p. 222

How does Lear regard the Great Chain of Being?

At the beginning of the play, Lear believes in the Great Chain of Being e.g. "monster ingratitude" - children going against their father + Cordelia's offence to him is going against this, "nature is ashamed Almost t'acknowledge hers." p. 173
HOWEVER, Lear also goes against this natural order when he abdicates + when he calls to nature to punish his own daughters.

Is Cordelia in touch with nature?

Yes - "I love your majesty according to my bond" - she is aware of these family bonds.

What suggests that their is a restore of natural order?

The unnatural dealings of the evil are punished. 

How can nature be viewed as benevolent?

Lear in his madness has a crown of flowers - nature is potentially restoring him after punishing him.

How does Edmund view nature?

It is menevolent - predatory, animalistic, ruthless, survival of the fittest - some characters view this as unnatural; however, it is more true to real nature = challenging the Great Chain of Being.

If nature doesn't restore itself through the gods, what are we left with?

Humanity preying on itself - what a capitalist society would inevitably lead to.

How is Lear's shifting viewpoint regarding the Great Chain of Beings shown?

He believes in it at the start but then he is brutally stripped which completely destroys this belief - no significance to human death

How is the depiction of nature mostly portrayed? How does this mirror Shakespeare's society?

Menevolent - this is the change from a feudal society

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