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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This is a 5 page paper that provides an overview of social commentary in King Lear. The poetic symbolism of Lear's "O, reason not the need!" passage is examined. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KW60_KFlit023.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
in such a way that the average contemporary student finds it difficult to interpret or understand with a superficial reading. Certainly many students have expressed the belief that the plays
should be represented in "plain English", that is to say, updated from their poetic origins to modern English prose. However, as any scholarly understanding of Shakespeare will reveal, such a
"translation" will entirely devalue much more the literary merit of the works. As such, students should recognize how it is that the poetic mode and careful word choice is essential
to the artistic integrity of Shakespeares works. This paper provides an example of how Shakespearean text relies upon its poetic mode to function. This paragraph helps the student introduce the
quote to be used for analysis. In order to understand this principle, one might select a short but significant passage from one of Shakespeares plays. One of the Bards greatest
tragedies, "King Lear", offers such an example: LEAR: "O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars Are in the poorest thing superfluous. Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Mans lifes as cheap as beasts!" These words appear in Act II, scene iv, lines 259 through 252 of "King Lear". In the passage, Lear is reacting to the
latest treacherous ploy by his daughters Goneril and Regan, who have suggested that he give up his retinue of one hundred knights, the only aspect of his court that he
retained for himself when he split up his kingdom between them. The argument of the daughters is that Lear, since he is "retired" from the official management of the kingdom,
has no need of his knights, but Lear asserts that "need" is not the issue. This passage might be rewritten thusly: LEAR: Daughters, need is not the issue. A
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