Gloucester’s eyes were plucked out one at a time by Cornwall. By showing Cornwall plucking out Gloucester’s eyes, it shows the audience first hand how Cornwall is an evil and corrupt person. He shows no remorse for the man and does not really give him a chance to explain himself. When he asks him questions, he just assumes Gloucester is lying. Gloucester’s crime was not to the severity for Cornwall to take his eyes out.
This scene also shows how, for the most part, all of the others are cruel as well. Regan tells Cornwall to pluck out Gloucester’s remaining eye (after one was already taken out). This shows she has no remorse. Besides one servant, when all of the tying up Gloucester and plucking his eye out was going on, all the servants followed what Cornwall and Regan instructed them to do. When that one servant did stick up for Gloucester, the result was that he was stabbed in the back by Regan. This scene shows the violent manners in Gloucester and Regan.
Some movies use gruesome scenes to add to the movie. They want it to be more dramatic and cause a rise out of the audience. However, these movies typically warn the audience beforehand to make sure they know they might be seeing some gory scenes. I think it is ok for these types of movies to have violent scenes because that is what the audience wants to see. Also, I think it is ok for video games to have violence as long as there is a warning on the cover. People (adults) should know what their kids are playing. In addition, when adults buy the games for themselves, they are paying for the game and they want the brutal fighting.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
King Lear #4
Why would Edgar choose to take on the disguise of Tom O’Bedlam, a madman and beggar? His father, Gloucester, wrongfully renounced Edgar as his son and praised Edmund as his “loyal and natural boy” whom will become Gloucester’s heir. This was because Edmund tricked Gloucester into believing that Edgar wanted to murder him. Edgar’s disguise is appropriate because he is poor and without a kingdom as he has been stripped of his social status and inheritance. In addition to being poor, Edgar is an outlaw. Edgar chooses to look like a poor man and act crazy so that people searching for him would have no idea that he is of royal blood. By taking on this extreme disguise, Edgar can stay in the kingdom so he can be near his father to whom he is still loyal. It also enables him to be out in public where he can find out what is going on and who is plotting against each other. As Tom O’Bedlam, he would not be considered a person of note and they might be inclined to talk in front of him since he was too crazy to understand what they were saying. By acting like a madman, he could learn what Edmund and others are plotting against him and thus could prevent wrongful actions.
Although the disguise of a Bedlam beggar is extreme, it is symbolically fitting. Edgar, like King Lear, is reduced to a man with no possessions or aspirations. There is no future. A man in this state is helpless; he is little more than a beast and is at the mercy of his fellowmen. By taking on this disguise, Edgar is able to befriend King Lear. King Lear relates to this horrible condition as he himself experiences the misery of being turned out in the cold without belongings or shelter. By sharing his misery with Edgar, King Lear learns the importance of compassion and treating others humanely.
Although the disguise of a Bedlam beggar is extreme, it is symbolically fitting. Edgar, like King Lear, is reduced to a man with no possessions or aspirations. There is no future. A man in this state is helpless; he is little more than a beast and is at the mercy of his fellowmen. By taking on this disguise, Edgar is able to befriend King Lear. King Lear relates to this horrible condition as he himself experiences the misery of being turned out in the cold without belongings or shelter. By sharing his misery with Edgar, King Lear learns the importance of compassion and treating others humanely.
King Lear #3
Although King Lear is portrayed as a tragic figure for whom most readers have empathy by the end of the play, it is curious how he could have been the father to Goneril and Regan, two odious creatures. King Lear must not have been such an honorable and worthy ruler or father during his prime. He must not have set a good example or else these two materialistic daughters would not have turned so easily against him and kicked him out into the cold, leaving him without dignity or his train of servants. What would cause Goneril and Regan to act so vile and serpent-like?
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
King Lear Blog #3
Although King Lear is portrayed as a tragic figure for whom most readers have empathy by the end of the play, it is curious how he could have been the father to Goneril and Regan, two odious creatures. King Lear must not have been such an honorable and worthy ruler or father during his prime. He must not have set a good example or else these two materialistic daughters would not have turned so easily against him and kicked him out into the cold, leaving him without dignity or his train of servants. What would cause Goneril and Regan to act so vile and serpent-like?
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
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