Comment on the fool's speeches in 2:3

'ha ha...wooden nether-stocks.' - He is cruel. He makes reference to tying horses by the head dogs and bears by the neck, all difficult jobs. He makes reference to them to exaggerate how cruel. At this point he is in character, randomly making comments and giving opinion.

'Winter's not gone yet...canst tell in a year.' -He establishes that it is the natural order of things just like the birds who fly a certain direction in winter, that man does not receive genuine love. Within this speech he advises with words of wisdom in poetry which indicates even to the audience that the speech upcoming is of immense importance. It speaks of how a man is loved only for material things and those who have much fortune are never willing to help the poor. Then he refers it to the predicament of the King, how his daughetrs have begun to treat him.

'And thou hadst been set...deserv'd it.' - He says that the question asked by Kent has an obvious answer and the question should not even have bothered to have been asked. Because the answer was so obvious, that makes the question silly and therefore, like the fool, he should have been puchished.

'We'll set thee to school...the fool no knave perdy.' - He speaks almost sensibly here, with some exaggeration. Blunt; he uses ants as an example to start his point. This speech emphasizes the nature of mankind. When people see that someone is going downhill, they neglect them. There are other opportunites available which would land them in a better place, people forget about loyalty because self comes first. The fool, however is just not like that, and he intends to stick with the King, through his trials.

'Cry it to nuncle as the ...buttered his hay.' - He uses sarcasm encouraging the King to cry to his heart just as other foolish persons did after their silly actions. Here he emphasizes another element of mankind's mindset. People do foolish things for the wrong reasons simply because they do not understand the full extent of their actions. Only foolish results occur and the purpose is never reached.

The fool was the most foolish character in the play 'King Lear'

The statement has been made that the fool was the most foolish of characters in the Shakespearean play 'King Lear'. The topic has brought about some amount of controversy as to whether or not it was true. Having knowledge of the definition of 'foolish' according to the Oxford Pocket Dictionary; lacking good sense or judgement, unwise; and 'most'; as the largest amount, the stance of disapproval to the topic was assumed. Rephrased, the topic states: the fool was the character which had the largest of amount of lacking good sense, judgment or wisdom. The are many points which can challenge this claim.
Firstly to note was his constant speeches to the king where he highlighted the king's poor decisions. The fool was a consistent character who from his entrance to exit, was bold and daring in pointing out to the King what he did that was wrong. Professor Bradley says 'he acts as the soul of outer consciousness for the king.' Consciousness is defined as awareness and knowing, with this description of the fool, he cannot still be associated with the adjective 'foolish'. As the audience progresses with the play, they can decipher his parables to realize that his is the voice of reason. 'I have used it nuncle, e'er since thou mad'st the daughters...such a King should play bo-beep'(1:4) He speaks truth and honesty but they are based on his judgment of the predicament. With this being so, then it challenges the claim that the fool has a lack of judgment.
Secondly, in the speeches that he makes, he represents his points metaphorically, vibrantly and creatively. Making use of his position to the King was an admirable task. How he used his position of 'base' to his advantage to bring about a consciousness in the king is one which requires great tact. he demonstrates an impact upon the King which goes way beyond his status. He causes the King to think seriously into his words as they are so constant and blunt. He demonstrates a lot of wisdom in the the points that me makes as well as the way they are brought across. He, for example will tell the King of his foolishness, then make statements like 'but no one will listen to a fool' or speak on the fact that he would be whipped for 'honesty'. This actually manipulates the King into taking him seriously as well as the ability in all of his speeches to get away because of their thin veil of humour. For example; 'If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs myself, there's mine, beg another of thy daughters.'(1:4) 'Prithee tell him... he will not believe a fool.' (1:4) This challenges the claim that he was lacking sense.
Thirdly, the fool demonstrates great wisdom. This is proven in his ability to prophesy. In his entrance dialogue, the fool states 'why this fellow has banish'd...against his will' (1:4) Indicating that the king was not even conscious of what he had done and the chaos that would be brought about in the Kingdom, so much so that it would have been better to leave the kingdom as he caused Cordelia to. This claim became truth because a great chaos did indeed fall upon the land. Another prediction made by the fool was in scene5 of act 1: 'She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab.' Indicating to the King that the same predicament he suffered with Goneril would be repeated with Regan. The confidence with which he deliberates his opinions and the truth that is reflected in them are reflections of great wisdom, the fool can therefore not be unwise.
Lastly, the word 'most' suggests largest amount. Therefore, a comparison was made between the fool and the King. Interestingly enough, the first note made was the decision where King Lear went against the natural order of things, placing his kingdom in the hands of his two young daughters based solely upon the ability of flattery. He banished a daughter whom he love and cherished beyond all others because of his pride and unnecessary desire at flattery. He was irrational and quick tempered in dealing with his subjects, he banished his adviser, Kent, for pointing out the truth. On the contrary, the fool challenges the decisions of the king, reasons and makes his opinions and prophecies. On a figurative, scale it would appear the King is more foolish than the fool, if this is so, the claim that the fool is the most foolish can be refuted solely from the use of the word 'most', suggesting largest amount.
In concluding, a reiteration of the point of this essay would not have been justifiably done without an interesting quotation from a fellow character, Goneril, 'I would you would make use of your good wisdom.' (1:4) Here, Goneril unconsciously reveals that the fool says words of wisdom and because they jeopardize what she attempts to do and can manipulate the king's mindset out of her favour. Her statement there confirms that the fool has wisdom. Based on the evidence given above, the fool did not have a lack of good judgment and sense nor was he unwise. Therefore, according to the Oxford definition, he was not foolish. Outside of that, compared to other characters within the same play, King Lear, for one, was more foolish, therefore a claim to be the 'most foolish' is, in my mind, strongly refuted.

Act 2 Scene 1

1. Curan's reference to an impending war between The duke of Albany and the Duke of Cornwall was significant. The conflict caused, rumours assumed, them to be on their way to Edgar's location. This news became a help for Edmund because he then could twist it to appear that they were coming for Edgar. It hastened the process of having a reason to make Edgar flee entirely and instill fear in him so that he can progress with his plot of villainy.

2. Edmund uses a clever trick of action to prove the claims he made earlier. He uses the trick of setting up an image which would only prove believable to his father. He injures and puts blood on himself tells his brother to use his sword before he fled, all of which would only be viewed by his gullible father as 'hard' evidence, and reason to become more passionate about Edgar's supposed villainy. He then fabricates a conversation between himself and his brother with such skill. This villainy he excutes with such skill shows a nack for manipulating his father's character to suit him. He gains his father's love and respect then uses it to his advantage to plot and scheme all manners of evil.

3. Regan played an important part to this scene. From her opening lines she uses sarcasm to provoke Gloucester in thinking about his current misfortune. She refers to Edgar as the one her father named, her fathers godson. She also adds to the believablity of the scenario in the eyes of Gloucester because she relates his behaviour to that of the ones he spends his around. The knights are percieved as bad people who encourage evil, if these are the persons with whom he associates himself, then it is no wonder, she proclaims. Taking Gloucester deeper into his new found hatred of his ligitimate child.

4. Cornwall has become very authoritative in this scene. He believes he has a peak amount of power to execute various decisions as though the kingdom were his own. He acts the part of a king. He passes judgements like Edgar will never again commit evil works saying that his authority, mighty as it is, may be used however it pleaseth Gloucester so that they may apprehend the supposed villain. He hires Edmund into his service believing that Edmund is trustworthy and honest.

The fool

The fool is a very significant role in the Shakespearean play, King Lear. His role is somewhat of a conscience to the king. He carries himself in a way that a fool would but his words are far greater in wisdom. He speaks his words carefully yet recklessly with every bit of bluntness, which is why persons conjoining the way his message is delivered with the way he carries himself and his position to the king, do not take him very seriously. However, the king is seen taking some note of what the fool says. His call for the fool after having not seen or heard from him in such a while suggests that the King is very fond of his presence. Some of the fool's significant lines included how he has been full of song since the king sent away his daughter foolishly. He also says that the two daughters which are still in the Kingdom were the ones who were truly banished, whist the other was actually set free. He called the king a fool, and says he is old before his time. The video brings out the characteristics of the fool very greatly. His flow in speech, his tones, he dancing, his expressions all add significantly to how comically this man makes his points, and answers the question as to why the King does not take as much offence as he would with any other person telling him these things. He helps the king to see error in his ways and the things around him.

questions on scene 1 and 2

1 In the king's opening speeches, he makes mention of his intention to share his kingdom amongst his three daughters. He speaks of wanting to rest himself from the toils of running a kingdom because he is coming significantly closer to death and wishes to be unburdened. He then addresses the topic of love and places all his anticipation on finding out how much his daughters can use words to express and convey love as if it is the most valid quality to qualify a daughter worthy of receiving primary control of the kingdom. This communicates a large amount of insight into the King's character. It reveals that he is elderly, that he likes to be pampered and that he is naive; that is he should not look upon how extravagantly love can be expressed as the medium to decide who receives the most power in the kingdom by share of land.

2 Goneril and Regan both heed to their father's request of describing their love for him. Goneril, being the eldest, starts off. She says that words cannot describe her love for her father, then she attempts make emphasis of it's immense volume by comparison. She makes comparisons to dear things like riches, eyesight and even breath, saying her long is more that all these: unrealistic comparisons that disguise themselves as powerful expressions of a sincere love to King Lear. Regan strategically starts with a comparison to her sister, saying that they are the same, however she attempts to overthrow her sister's attempt of wooing King Lear in saying her words were not sufficient. She creates another peak in her description than Goneril; she classifies his love as the only joy to her life, her being, and all that matters.

3'Be Kent unmannerly when Lear is mad.' Kent was not entirely justified in saying that Lear was mad. It was very irrational, the way he dealt with the situation with his daughters in Kent's opinion. The reason behind the King's action reflects instability in his mental state and decision making skills. The king was aware that Cordelia was most eligible to receive the majority of the kingdom yet he banishes her for the simple reason of being blunt and reasonable. These actions caused Kent to jump to the instinct that the King had become mad, however the correct terminology was not used. Perhaps foolhardy would have been more accurate.

4 Shakespeare has used rhyming lines in Kent's final speeches. This is a technique used by Shakespeare which creates more impact and draws more attention to the significance of Kent's lines. It draws the reader into paying close attention to them and vaguely suggests that there is a greater meaning to the words spoken; one of the characteristics of poetry, which in Shakespear's eyes, would have made it more appropriate to use. It also creates somewhat of a haunt to the other characters on the scene.

5 The King of France has a significant role with regards to Cordelia. After her father banishes her and takes away all her rights to the kingdom and any of the money which were supposed to have accompanied her going into marriage, as well as her rejection from the King of Burgundy, the king of France was very tender and reasonable. He is an outsider to the situation stating the immense and unfair nature of the situation when it was a case that she was his favourite about the others. He expresses his disbelief of her having committed anything so harmful to the king. He demonstrates having a mind of his own and that he lacks greed. His words to Cordelia were tender and sincere, his expression of love for her as well as claiming her to be his wife show that his speech was calculated to heal the wounds already inflicted.

6 Morally, the state of affairs were on a down note. There was somewhat of a sort of unseen gloom that fell upon the Kingdom after the king's major decision. The two daughters who were not sincere in their love now had most of the control of the kingdom by default, and now Cordelia, the most deserving, was subject to their ridicule and judgment. The state of affairs suggests how life's course is never guaranteed and that life is also very unfair. Those who are least deserving tend to bear the victories meant for the deserving. Honesty does not always prove to be the best of policies.

7 Shakespeare allows for Edmund to have an excuse of illegitimacy. His illegitimacy enables him to be at peace with his role being the villain. In the Shakespearean society, bastards were looked down upon because fornication was a sin which was not taken very lightly. The product of such an action, therefore was generally considered as sinful. Edmund is heard accepting the society's judgment and therefore encourages himself in the course of villainy he is about to pursue.

8 Edmund strengthens his plot when he appears to defend his brother. He creates disharmony within his family deliberately by setting up a scene where he may turn his father against his brother for no reason that was true. In the meanwhile, he keeps a clean record in the dealings so that he eliminates any reason for persons to suspect his villainy when he defends and advises his brother for his safety. Defending his brother was a significant action to the plot because it therefore meant that he was better able to be viewed as a sincere individual, innocent to the villainy in process.

9 Gloucester's gullibility fueled the plot of villainy by Edmund. He was quite quick to believe the contents of the forged letter claimed to be from Edgar. He did not question as much as he should have, or even bothered to investigate the matter, rather, with some acting by Edmund, he believed and that was the final word. His gullibility provided Edmund with less trouble in getting the plot to progress smoothly. Edgar's nobility also came into play because Gloucester loves both his sons. I was reasonable to assume that Edgar would want to over throw his father and have all rights to his properties, since he would have been the heir.

Act1, Scene1 comparison

Within the book of Shakespeare's King Lear, he includes must more dialogues in the opening scene that is viewed in the video. Shakespeare permits there to be an opening dialogue that introduces the characters Edmund, Kent and Gloucester. The king then makes an entry and following him are his daughters, their husbands and attendants. The dialogues with which all these characters make their introduction to the story, enables the audience to have an opening insight into the events and personalities of the play. For example, the introduction of the scene reveals Edmund's illigitimacy, his relationship with his father, his father's relationship with the King, and the type of persons the King, Goneril, and Regan are.
The video scene does not allow the audience to have this much knowlege of the story at it's beginning; it focuses more on the action of the actors. It begins with King Lear Kissing his daughter, Regan whilst he has a manner of delight and excitement as he addresses Cordelia. Regan's greed is evident as she approaches her father in very close and pushy proximities before he deliberates what share of the kingdom she would recieve. There was contact made with her husband where they held hands in a consoling manner which communicates that they were disappointed.
Cordelia's speech about her love for her father was justifiably delivered, well in accordance with the play however, the change in King Lear when he became upsets at her answer was much more vivid in the video. He walks away from he as she speaks and even in his reference to nature, the superior degree to which it was held was seen in the video because of positioning of the hands and gazing up into heaven. the tones of the actors also contribute to the meanings of their words. The shock of the other characters at King Lear's explosion is not included in the book but it adds much dimension to the scene. King Lear was able to incorporate actions to the words he spoke such as pacing and climbing upon the table top to express his passion. Cordelia assumes a possition of fright behind Kent and the close relationship between the two was made evident in their hug before his departure from the scene. The king is heard making an exclamating noise, all of which was not scripted.
After the Kig of France spoke, Codelia ventured to speak but her father turns his back to her and blocks his ears. Cordelia's pain however, is sincere and comes through her voice. She and her father are seen sharing a long and intense bit of eye contact which helps the audience to see into the depth of the scene. the final speech by the king of France was accompanied by very soft musical effects meant to reflect Cordelia's feeling at what he said. He kissed her hand and stood beside her. He prooves himself to be confident about King Lear's injustice, and his love and compassion for Cordelia.
These are factors which may have been communicated or implied within the book of King Lear but the video presentation does offer some forms of enhancement.