King Lear: Melody & Spectacle

A. Discuss, as a class, what is meant by melody and spectacle as defined by Aristotle is Poetics. Brainstorm some instances where these elements are used to convey or support an idea in the script of King Lear.

B. Shakespeare uses melody and spectacle in a highly symbolic manner to communicate important ideas about the characters power in the play and their mental state.

Storm:
A. Both melody & spectacle, Nature gods will, mental state of Lear, chaos of country. The violence of the storm is shown by the onomatopoeia and imagery

B. The storm has elements of melody and spectacle and is very symbolic. The point at which the storm enters the play represents the unstableness madness that Lear’s character is beginning to show. As the storm enters, Lear is feeling rejected by his own daughters,

“I have full cause of weeping, but this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws or ere I’ll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!” – Lear

The storm also reflects to the audience of the state of the country at this time, the unfolding of chaos as a result of the great chain of being having been broken.
As Shakespeare plays cover 4 topics, King Lear being a dramatic play the storm represents the height of drama in this play and the negative connotations that people associate a storm with. People in Elizabethan time would believe that the storm is a representation of gods being angry. It helps the audience to understand the nature of the world and the chaos unfolding.

The fools songs:
A. Melody, Horn sounds, Voice of reason, Rhythm

B. The fool’s song is an example of melody, as the fool sings each verse in rhythm. The fool’s songs show the audience insight and truth into what is happening in the play.

“That such a king should play bo-peep and go the fools among” – Fool

About Lear being blind in seeing the truth of what his daughters are plotting and actions towards him. He cannot see that they are lying to him and do not show true love towards him. He doesn’t see that they just want his power and crown.
The fool is a character who is “silly” and there for the entertainment of the king. However it is ironic that the fool has the most wisdom and truth at this time as well as his words influencing the King Lear, again breaking the great chain of being order.
Later in the play Edgar (posed as poor Tom) becomes Lear’s new insight into the truth, he also sings melodies. Lear has taken advice from a person of lower stature which shows the world is continuing in chaos.

“He had no other deathsman. Let us see. Leave, gentle wax; and manners, blame us not:his To know our enemies’ minds, we rip their hearts; Their papers is more lawful”
– Edgar

This means that Lear shouldn’t have to show respect for his daughters as he is now seeing the truth about what his daughters are planning/plotting. Lear doesn’t understand why his daughters are doing this to him.

Clothing:
A. Spectacle, shows status, Lear taking off his clothing, flower crown

B. The clothing worn by the characters in the play King Lear is an example of spectacle. The clothes show an example of spectacle as each characters clothes show there status. These could also show their status in the great chain of being. The fool offers his coxcomb to Lear and this is where we first see the importance of clothing.

Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou’lt catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb!
– Fool

Lear is becoming more mad throughout the play. He changes his status or where he belongs in the great chain of being multiple times. From being a kings and high ruler, to a commoner and is finding himself now as just an animal, stripping himself of his own clothes.

“is man no more than this?… thou owest no worm no silk, no beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume…. unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal… off, off you lendings! Come, unbutton here.”
– Lear



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