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King Lear

King Lear. Lit Techniques and Motifs. Euphemism. a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive Ex: using “eliminate” as a euphemism for “kill”. Paradox.

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King Lear

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  1. King Lear Lit Techniques and Motifs

  2. Euphemism • a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive • Ex: using “eliminate” as a euphemism for “kill”

  3. Paradox • a statement or situation that appears to be false or self-contradictory, but that proves to be true upon reflection • Ex: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

  4. Aphorism • a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim • Ex: “Art is long, life is short.”

  5. Anecdote • ashort account of an interesting or humorous incident

  6. Tautology • needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy • Ex: Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow.

  7. Chiasmus • a reversal in the order of words in two parallel phrases • Ex: He went in, out went she. • Flowers are lovely, love is flowerlike” (Coleridge).

  8. Metonymy • afigure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated • Ex: the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power.

  9. Ellipsis • the omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding • Ex: “Begin when ready” for “Begin when you are ready”

  10. Apostrophe • the direct address of an absent or imaginary person or of a personified abstraction, especially as a digression in the course of a speech or composition • Ex: Carlyle's “O Liberty, what things are done in thy name!”

  11. Allegory • the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form • Ex: The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice

  12. Motifs in King Lear

  13. Cat Notes • On the RIGHT hand page, copy the notes to follow. • On the LEFT hand page, create an example of how the motif is present in the literature we have read so far.

  14. Nature and Weather • “These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us” • Acts as a reflection of a character’s mindset, mood, attitude, motivation, desire • Used to separate characters from the order of society and societal norms • Greater force(s)

  15. Self-reflection • “He hath slenderly know himself” • Initially, marked by an ignorance of self (unaware, arrogant, obtuse) • Normally humbled or tested by some greater uncontrollable force • Those who are more self-aware will be stronger (less likely to be deceived) than those who are less self-aware

  16. Blindness • “If thou would weep my fortunes, take my eyes” • Both literal and figurative • Externally, allows or makes a person vulnerable • Internally, makes a person look inwardly, allowing them to recognize substance over superficiality

  17. Kingship/ Natural Order • “Ingratitude…more hideous when thou show’st thee in a child than an sea monster” • Natural right of King or high power over subjects • Disrupting will result in consequences • Idea of one generation upsetting another • The up-setter of the natural order is not always initially punished

  18. Disguise • “Robes and furr’d gowns hide all” • Both a positive and a negative • Relationship between deceived and deceiver, appearance and reality • Hiding true self • Not recognizing other’s true intent • Can lead to truth

  19. Betrayal • “Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves” • Cause and consequence of breaking the natural order • Wickedness in family and politics • A testing or breaking of trust and loyalty

  20. Madness • “Tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind” • An additional consequence of upsetting the natural order • A form of wisdom in a world where natural order is upset • Allows access to the supernatural or sublime (think trance-like or subconscious state)

  21. Lying/ Truth • “Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortunes” • Truth and Lies can be: • Both, rejected and accepted • Told for both positive and negative reasons • Believed even when absurd • Character’s choices with telling and believing is a test of character

  22. Fools • “Here’s a night pities neither wise men not fools” • Those who act the wisest are often fooled or fools • Those who act as fools are often the bearer of wisdom • Sometimes nonsense in a topsy-turvy world is, in fact, sense

  23. Disenfranchised Man • People who find themselves unable to live in the society they currently inhabit • Can be either by choice, or by force (penance, or punishment) • Allowed to see true self in isolation

  24. Nothing • “Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.” • Represented both literally and figuratively • Lack of possessions, passion, perspective, power, persistence, etc. • Ex nihilo nihil fit (from nothing nothing comes) • Opposite the creation myths, from nothing something comes

  25. Motifs • Nature and Weather • Self-Reflection • Blindness • Kingship/Natural Order • Disguise • Betrayal • Madness • Lying/Truth • Fools • Disenfranchised Man

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