Throughout William Shakespeare’s King Lear, speech serves as a primary means of communication between characters, allowing readers and audiences alike a palpable understanding of the concerns of the play. Through both soliloquy and verse, Shakespeare divulges the innermost feelings of characters, as well as details of the relationships between characters. These revelations and details, imparted through speech, shape the play as a whole.
For instance, language and writing style integrate to effectively convey King Lear’s emotions in 1.1. Lear’s infuriation towards Cordelia becomes evident through details of this speech, and his sheer rage is not felt by the audience until this point. Additionally, Edmund’s soliloquy provides insight into his …show more content…
One of the most apparent similarities is both men’s frustration with their families, and their use of harsh vocabulary in describing this resentment. Whilst Lear likens his daughter to a cannibal, Edmund summons the Gods in order to topple his brother. These intense declarations subsequently reveal both men’s deep feelings of doubt and betrayal. Although Lear is speaking directly to his daughter, both men utilize language in order to express their true feelings. The differences between verse and soliloquy are somewhat insignificant in the sense that Lear has no reservations in his speech to his daughter, akin to the free flowing thought in Edmund’s soliloquy. However, dramatically, the differences between conversation and monologue are noteworthy. Furthermore, both men’s use of language about the natural world can be likened to the nature of familial relations. Lear describes “the sacred radiance of the sun” and calls upon nature before making his speech (1.1.101). Similarly, Edmund refers to ‘Nature’ directly, capitalizing the word in order to convey a more profound sense of importance and
For instance, language and writing style integrate to effectively convey King Lear’s emotions in 1.1. Lear’s infuriation towards Cordelia becomes evident through details of this speech, and his sheer rage is not felt by the audience until this point. Additionally, Edmund’s soliloquy provides insight into his …show more content…
One of the most apparent similarities is both men’s frustration with their families, and their use of harsh vocabulary in describing this resentment. Whilst Lear likens his daughter to a cannibal, Edmund summons the Gods in order to topple his brother. These intense declarations subsequently reveal both men’s deep feelings of doubt and betrayal. Although Lear is speaking directly to his daughter, both men utilize language in order to express their true feelings. The differences between verse and soliloquy are somewhat insignificant in the sense that Lear has no reservations in his speech to his daughter, akin to the free flowing thought in Edmund’s soliloquy. However, dramatically, the differences between conversation and monologue are noteworthy. Furthermore, both men’s use of language about the natural world can be likened to the nature of familial relations. Lear describes “the sacred radiance of the sun” and calls upon nature before making his speech (1.1.101). Similarly, Edmund refers to ‘Nature’ directly, capitalizing the word in order to convey a more profound sense of importance and