Shakespeare’s King Lear is one of the most identifiable works of tragedy, since its storyline is one in which the audience can visualize how great Lear’s downfall truly is. On the subject of this, Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy is “the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself” directly relating to the plot of King Lear. Being as it may, play writers have attempted to create their own film adaptations based on King Lear. While the film adaptations of Shakespeare’s King Lear created by Olivier, J.E. Jones and Kurosawa reflect on the structure and elements of tragedy, each film portrays an element of tragedy the best. Olivier best expresses pathos through the downfall and disrespect that Lear
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In Olivier’s version of the play, Lear is described as a weak and fragile character, who is worn out by his old age. His feebleness makes him seek attention and crave the love of his daughters, which relates to the vanity that he holds; Lear: “Which of you shall we say doth love me most.” (I.i.51-52) With regards to this, his need for attention causes his character to face blindness, causing him to banish his youngest and most loving daughter Cordelia. Considering that he did not know it was Cordelia whom loved him the most, pity begins to arise because the audience realizes that there will be consequences for Lear due to his actions. Speaking of which, it is when Lear himself is banished that he begins to realize that he was blinded and manipulated, and leads him on his path to humility. Especially when Lear is reunited with Cordelia, and she speaks to him with the utmost love and integrity, pathos is aroused; Cordelia: “O, my dear father, restoration hang … Have in thy reverence made.” …show more content…
Although there is the slightest feeling of catharsis for Lear is Olivier’s film, it is not as evident as in J.E. Jones’ version. Similarly, catharsis also arises in Kurosawa’s “Ran”, because the bloodshed that occurs at the end of the story seems to be at the hands of Hidetora and Lear, subsequently it was in their decision to trust those who wished to hurt them, and banish who wished to respect them. Along with this, Hidetora was also a warrior, and he turns to violence when people disrespect him, as can be seen when he burns down the abandoned buildings of those that lacked provisions for him. That is, catharsis is the best described in J.E. Jones because it is related and foreseen from the mistakes Lear made in the beginning. It is because of the tragic flaw in his character and how it overrules him that there is much hatred and lack of pity for his
In Olivier’s version of the play, Lear is described as a weak and fragile character, who is worn out by his old age. His feebleness makes him seek attention and crave the love of his daughters, which relates to the vanity that he holds; Lear: “Which of you shall we say doth love me most.” (I.i.51-52) With regards to this, his need for attention causes his character to face blindness, causing him to banish his youngest and most loving daughter Cordelia. Considering that he did not know it was Cordelia whom loved him the most, pity begins to arise because the audience realizes that there will be consequences for Lear due to his actions. Speaking of which, it is when Lear himself is banished that he begins to realize that he was blinded and manipulated, and leads him on his path to humility. Especially when Lear is reunited with Cordelia, and she speaks to him with the utmost love and integrity, pathos is aroused; Cordelia: “O, my dear father, restoration hang … Have in thy reverence made.” …show more content…
Although there is the slightest feeling of catharsis for Lear is Olivier’s film, it is not as evident as in J.E. Jones’ version. Similarly, catharsis also arises in Kurosawa’s “Ran”, because the bloodshed that occurs at the end of the story seems to be at the hands of Hidetora and Lear, subsequently it was in their decision to trust those who wished to hurt them, and banish who wished to respect them. Along with this, Hidetora was also a warrior, and he turns to violence when people disrespect him, as can be seen when he burns down the abandoned buildings of those that lacked provisions for him. That is, catharsis is the best described in J.E. Jones because it is related and foreseen from the mistakes Lear made in the beginning. It is because of the tragic flaw in his character and how it overrules him that there is much hatred and lack of pity for his