King Lear: Act III

I decided to do an Anti-Blog post for Act Three but instead of comparing a character to a celebrity, I chose a movie character. When I began to focus on the Fool’s character, there was a particular movie character that I was reminded of, and I feel that both the Fool and this character share similar qualities. In the movie, “Drop Dead Fred”, (which was a childhood favorite of mine), Fred shares many characteristics as the Fool in King Lear. Fred is an imaginary friend to a young girl Lizzie. Many of his actions and speech was erratic, his humor was quite dark and he often caused trouble but he still managed to provide somewhat sound advice for Lizzie, who was suffering from an overbearing, controlling mother. Besides the fact that Fred wore eccentric clothing that could even be compared to that of a fool or jester, it is particularly the dark humor that I found very similar. He would often speak satirically such as the fool, and sometimes downright insulting but deep down he cared about the well-being of Lizzie. This exact sort of sentiment is expressed in Act three between the Fool and King Lear. The Fool advises him to make amends with his daughters so that he is spared a night full of rain but King Lear refuses. Directly afterwards, the Fool insults the King by implying that it is he that is foolish, in lines 40-41, “Marry, here’s grace and a cod-piece; that’s a wise man and a fool”. I also think that this comparison between the Fool and Fred is ironic because similarly to Lizzie who wishes to escape the brutal emotional treatment from her mother, King Lear escaped from his abusive daughters. It is in both this situations in which the Fool and Fred gives advice, even if it is in a skewed manner.

Fred

Lizzie & Fred

King Lear: Act 1 & 2

1.1.35-53

In this speech, King Lear reveals his intentions on dividing his estate amongst his three daughters. In order to do so, he has required each daughter to express how much they love their father. Each daughter and her respective husband are to receive their portion of the kingdom depending on the eloquence of their answer.

1.1.109-41

In this speech, King Lear is dismayed and angered at his youngest daughter, Cordelia’s response, rather lack thereof. He swears by the gods that he disowns her in every aspect and that she is no longer his daughter. He goes on to debase her by comparing her to classical barbarians.

1.1.175-87

In this speech, infuriated by Kent’s defense of Cordelia, banishes him inside of the kingdom. He has six days to leave and if he still present during the 10^th day, he is to be executed. King Lear once again swears by celestial beings that this decree shall not be revoked.

In the second speech, King Lear appears to be shocked, then outraged at Cordelia’s response towards his request. He references the classical goddess, Hecate, as if to enhance the seriousness of his declaration. He states in lines 111-12, “By all the operation of the orbs from whom we do exist and cease to be,…”It is as if by swearing by entities of an higher being, it makes his words irrevocable. He goes on to disown Cordelia of all rights, listing them in an almost-brisk, business-like manner as if their relationship was a contractual agreement. Then, once again he mentions another classical figure, but this time to disgrace her. He says that this barbarous Scythian, one that devours his own parents, means as much to him as his former daughter. Using this particular analogy implies that Cordelia herself is destroying her father by avoiding his wishes. It expresses his deep hurt as well has bitterness towards her actions.

 

The soliloquy that Edmund begins with in Act 1, Scene 2 alerts the reader to several things. First we see a true frustration with him being identified as illegitimate or bastard. He feels that is wrong for him to be deprived of his father’s estate merely because his is younger than his brother, whose mother happened to be married to his father. He argues that he has just as many qualities as his brother, therefore he deserves just as much as him. We also see his plans for deception at the expense of his brother. He intends to steal his brother’s right to land and by doing so, the bastard will rise above what is considered as legitimate. This soliloquy is important because it reveals Edmund’s motive for his upcoming deception and it also warns the audience of the trouble he is about to cause. We now know that Edmund intends on deceiving both his father and brother to gain what he feel is rightfully his.

Merchant of Venice: Act V

I feel that the first third of 5.1 acts, specifically Jessica and Lorenzo both act as a foil to the relationships portrayed later in the act between Bassanio and Portia and Nerissa and Graziano. In the beginning of Act 5, the audience gets this sense of true, love and affection from Jessica and Lorenzo. They declare their undying love for one another, Jessica telling Lorenzo, “In such a night did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well, stealing her sould with many vows of faith and ne’er a true one.” He responds to her her saying, “In such a night did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love, and he forgave it her.” 5.1.2462-2471. There is this display of innocence and romanticism that is not so obvious with the other two couples. Instead with Bassanio, Portia, Nerissa and Graziano, we witness manipulation, deceit and a lack of trust. Bassanio and Graziano have both failed the ring test miserably, and when confronted about it, their wives insist that they will instead lay with the judge and his clerk. This is of course a comedy, so the audience knows that they are not serious but their tricky and deceptive way at affection and loyalty deeply contrasted against Jessica and Lorenzo. 

Merchant of Venice: Act III & IV

In Act Three what stood out to me the most was the development of Portia’s plan as far as deceiving Shylock as well as Antonio and Bassanio. She says to Nerissa in 3.4.60-71

“They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit that they shall think we are accomplished with what we lack. I’ll hold thee any wager, ……wear my dagger with the braver grace, and speak between the change of man and boy with a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps into a manly stride, and speak frays like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies how honourable ladies sought my love, which I denying, they fell sick and died.”

This passage to me really emphasized the conflict between male and female identity and assumed roles. Portia clearly has a desire to take matters into her own hands but her assertiveness is being portrayed as traditionally a male characteristic. This concept of “lacking” in females has been perpetuated all throughout history and Portia reminds the audience of this. Not only do women lack in physical male characteristics, but she also implies that they lack in other qualities she describe such as bravery and confidence. Its ironic that Portia reminds of the audience of these assumed gender roles, yet chooses to disguise herself as a man which in a sense further these stereotypes. This makes me think whether Beatrice from Much Ado would do something similar. She was assertive and outspoken, qualities generally associated with men but I feel that she would have not submitted to such antics like Portia .

In Act four, during the court scene involving Shylock, Antonio and Bassanio, Portia disguised as Balthasar tells Shylock in 4.1.179-84

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. “Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.”

I thought that it was convenient for Portia to use Christian doctrines to support her argument especially when religion is such a dominant issue in this play.  I think that the Christian characters seem to use their religious morals only when it is beneficial for them. When they treat Jews in contempt, spitting on them and calling them dogs, are they behaving in a merciful manner? This play and particular act really demonstrates the issues that arise from two conflicting religions. What may be considered merciful for one, may seem blasphemous to another. It seems easy for them to manipulate the meaning of mercy and justice as it pertains to this situation. Im not implying that Shylock is not a villain and he certainly has evil intentions but I do believe that the Christians are morally superior to Shylock and Jews in this story.