Suffering in King Lear

Topic: Suffering

Suffering in King Lear

Research Question: Suffering is an unavoidable and inevitable experience, yet are the consequences of human suffering always negative? To what extent can suffering shape one’s future in a positive way?

By: Shashwat Kala

Thesis: Suffering is an unfortunate, yet often unavoidable period in human development that can cause people to evolve, leading to their positive growth and eventual redemption.

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Edgar

Never—O fault!—revealed myself unto him until some half hour past, when I was armed. Not sure, though hoping of this good success, I asked his blessing, and from first to last told him our pilgrimage. But his flawed heart (Alack, too weak the conflict to support) ’twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, burst smilingly (5.3.228-235).

• This quote shows that Gloucester was able to redeem himself as a father. Gloucester died out of happiness after realizing that Edgar (in disguise) was actually his son. Thus, he accomplished his goal of restoring his relationship with his son.

Additional Quotes

Main Quotes

Lear

He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven and fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes. The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell, ere they shall make us weep. We’ll see ’em starved first (5.3.25-29)

• Lear is saying that he does not want to be separated from Cordelia – the daughter who loves him and who he now loves.

Lear

Come, let’s away to prison. We two alone will sing like birds i’ th’ cage.

When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down and ask of thee

forgiveness. So we’ll live, and pray, and sing, and tell old tales,

and laugh at gilded butterflies (5.3.9-14).

• Lear understands that Cordelia is the daughter that truly loves him most, and he therefore wants to spend time with her.

Lear

Howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones! Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so that heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone

forever (5.3.308-311).

• Marks a significant event in Lear’s path to redemption because he grieves for his dead daughter.

Lear

Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,

And thou no breath at all? Thou ’lt come no more,

Never, never, never, never, never.—

Pray you undo this button. Thank you, sir.

Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips,

Look there, look there! [He dies]. (5.3.370-375).

• Lear’s death scene marks the end of his moral redemption.

His death was a response to the death of his daughter. He was able to restore his relationship with his daughter, and he died understanding that Cordelia was the only daughter that truly loved him.

Lear

A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!

I might have saved her. Now she’s gone forever.— Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Ha! What is ’t thou sayst?—Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman (5.3.325-329).

• Lear, as any true father would, continues to grieve for his dead daughter and remembers some of her finest qualities.

Main Quote

Main Quotes

Edgar

Here, father, take the shadow of this tree

For your good host. Pray that the right may thrive.

If ever I return to you again,

I’ll bring you comfort (5.2.1-4).

• Edgar finally refers to Gloucester as “father”

(even though Gloucester does not know that

Edgar is his son because he is in disguise).

Thus, in one sense, their loving father-son

relationship is restored.

Gloucester

O you mighty gods! He kneels. This world I do renounce, and in your sights shake patiently my great affliction off.

If I could bear it longer, and not fall to quarrel with your great opposeless wills, my snuff and loathèd part of nature should burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!—

Now, fellow, fare thee well (4.6.44-51).

• Gloucester feels so badly about the mistakes and his mistreatment of his son that he wants to commit suicide by jumping off a hill.

Edgar

A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows,

Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,

Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand;

I’ll lead you to some biding (4.6.246-249).

• This shows that Edgar, for the most part, has forgiven his

father. Edgar understands that Gloucester feels sorry about

misjudging Edgar and he therefore decides to lead his

father to safety.

Additional Quotes

Lear

What, art mad? A man may see how this world

goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief (4.6.165-167).

• Lear says this line after Gloucester admitted that he stumbled when he saw. Lear is implying that Gloucester can still observe the world and can make amends even without his vision.

Gloucester

Edgar

Edgar steps between Gloucester and Oswald. (SD 4.6.259.1)

• Edgar steps in front of his father to save Gloucester’s life. This is validation that Edgar has forgiven his father and that Gloucester has redeemed himself in the eyes of his son.

Moral Growth/Redemption

Main Quotes

Gloucester

I have no way and therefore want no eyes.

I stumbled when I saw (4.1.19-20).

• Gloucester understands that he made a mistake when he could see. This sense of understanding is important in his eventual redemption.

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Main Quote

Gloucester

Let him fly far! Not in this land shall he remain uncaught, and found—dispatch. The noble duke my master, my worthy arch and patron, comes tonight.

By his authority I will proclaim it that he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, bringing the murderous coward to the stake; he that conceals him, death (2.1.66-73).

• Shows Gloucester’s morally reprehensible actions – he is willing to track down and kill his son without knowing the truth of the matter.

Gloucester

He that will think to live till he be old,

Give me some help! As Servants hold the chair, Cornwall forces out one of Gloucester’s eyes.

O cruel! O you gods! (3.7.83-85).

• Gloucester’s physical suffering continues as one of his eyes is gouged out.

Gloucester

O dear son Edgar,

The food of thy abusèd father’s wrath,

Might I but live to see thee in my touch,

I’d say I had eyes again (4.1.22-25).

• Gloucester, who does not know that his Edgar is listening nearby, is seeking forgiveness and is

showing the love he truly has for Edgar.

Gloucester

O villain, villain! His very opinion in the

letter. Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! Worse than brutish!—Go, sirrah, seek him. I’ll apprehend him.—Abominable villain!— Where is he? (1.2.79-83).

• Gloucester is quick to wildly insult his son without any further evidence.

This shows that his fatal flaw is blindness because he is blind and ignorant of the truth.

Gloucester

Sir, this young fellow’s mother could,

whereupon she grew round-wombed and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? (1.1.13-16)

• Gloucester is embarrassed about having an illegitimate child and often pokes fun at his son’s expense in order to deal with the social awkwardness of admitting that Edmund is a result of an affair.

Additional Quotes

Gloucester

I like not this

unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I

might pity him, they took from me the use of mine

own house, charged me on pain of perpetual

displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for

him, or any way sustain him (3.3.1-6).

• This quote shows that not all of Gloucester’s actions

are reprehensible. In this case, Gloucester understands

that Goneril and Regan are treating Lear poorly, and he wants to aid Lear.

Additional Quotes

Gloucester

Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms. I have o’erheard a plot of death upon him.There is a litter ready; lay him in ’t,And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt

meet (3.6.93-97).

• This quote is further evidence that not all of Gloucester’s actions are

bad because in this scene, he is saving Lear’s life by telling Kent to lead Lear to safety.

Gloucester

Pursue him, ho! Go after. Servants exit. By no

means what? (2.1.51-52).

• This quote shows that Gloucester wants to track down his son, Edgar, even though he only has

Edmund’s word on the situation. Thus, it shows Gloucester’s lack of faith in Edgar and Edgar’s motives.

Additional Quotes

Gloucester

Hum? Conspiracy? “Sleep till I wake him, you should enjoy half his revenue.” My son Edgar! Had

he a hand to write this? A heart and brain to breed it

in?—When came you to this? Who brought it? (1.2.58-60).

• Gloucester immediately believes Edmund’s trickery that Edgar has

plotted against Gloucester. He has no faith in his legitimate son.

Gloucester

O my follies! Then Edgar was abused.

Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him (3.7.107-108).

• Immediately after his suffering, upon learning that Edmund turned him in,

Gloucester understand that he has made a mistake in doubting Edgar. This sets the stage for Gloucester’s path to redemption because he now knows his mistake.

Gloucester

Though this knave came something

saucily to the world before he was sent for, yet was

his mother fair, there was good sport at his making,

and the whoreson must be acknowledged.—Do you

know this noble gentleman, Edmund? (1.1.21-25).

• Gloucester continues to poke fun at the fact that he had an affair.

Gloucester

Pursue him, ho! Go after. Servants exit. By no means what? (2.1.51-52).

• This quote shows that Gloucester wants to track down his son, Edgar, even though he only has Edmund’s word on the situation.

Thus, it shows Gloucester’s lack of faith in Edgar and Edgar’s motives.

Gloucester

To his father, that so tenderly and entirely

loves him! Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him

out; wind me into him, I pray you. Frame the

business after your own wisdom. I would unstate

myself to be in a due resolution (1.2.101-105).

• Gloucester is reverting to ulterior motives to find

out the “truth” about Edgar’s motives

Additional Quotes:

Cornwall

To this chair bind him. Servants bind Gloucester.

Villain, thou shalt find— Regan plucks Gloucester’s beard. (3.7.41- SD 3.7.42.1).

• This marks the beginning of Gloucester’s physical suffering because he is bound to a chair and his beard is pulled out.

Gloucester

Because I would not see thy cruel nails

Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister

In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs (3.7.69-71).

• Even when Gloucester is suffering (bound to a chair)

he stands up for what he knows is right. In this case he

knows that Regan and Goneril are mistreating Lear.

Additional Quotes

Cornwall

Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! Forcing out Gloucester’s other eye. Where is thy luster now? (3.7.101-102).

• Gloucester’s physical suffering worsens as his other eye is gouged out as well. He is now completely blind.

Gloucester

Where’s my son Edmund?— Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature To quit this horrid act (3.7.103-106).

• This shows Gloucester’s ignorance because while he is in pain, he is pleading for Edmund, the very son who is partly responsible for Gloucester’s suffering, to come and save him.

Main Quote

King Lear

Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

Propinquity, and property of blood,

And as a stranger to my heart and me

Hold thee from this forever (1.1. 125-128).

• Shows his morally reprehensible behavior and sets the stage for Lear’s suffering and his eventual redemption.

Additional Quotes

King Lear:

Which of you shall we say doth love us most,

That we our largest bounty may extend

Where nature doth with merit challenge (1.1.56-58).

• Shows Lear’s morally reprehensible behavior before the suffering

– shows he cares more about false, public displays of love than actual love.

King Lear

I loved her most and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery. Hence and avoid my sight!— (1.1.139-140).

• Lear kicks Cordelia out of the house – shows his lack of integrity

and his fatal flaw of blindness and acting spontaneously.

Main Quote

Lear

You do me wrong to take me out o’ th’ grave.

Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound

Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears

Do scald like molten lead (4.7.51-54).

• Lear admits to Cordelia that he made a mistake and deserves punishment.

This is a major turning point because this is the first time Lear has admitted his mistakes to Cordelia.

Additional Quotes

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Cordelia [kissing Lear]

O, my dear father, restoration hang

Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss

Repair those violent harms that my two sisters

Have in thy reverence made (4.7.31-34).

• Shows that Cordelia still loves her father.

This quote helps set the stage for Lear’s redemption because by the end of the play, their love is mutual.

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Cornwall

Shut up your doors, my lord. ’Tis a wild night.

My Regan counsels well. Come out o’ th’ storm (2.4.352-353).

• Cornwall, Goneril, and Regan tell Gloucester to lock the doors, thus marking the start of Lear’s suffering in the storm.

Lear

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know you do not love me, for your sisters

Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.

You have some cause; they have not (4.7.82-85).

• This quote shows that Lear understands Cordelia has the right to be mad at him (even though she is not). It also shows that Lear understands that Cordelia, the daughter who refused to declare her love for Lear, is actually the daughter that loves him most.

Additional Quotes

Goneril

Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires, men so disordered, so debauched and bold, that this our court, infected with their manners, shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust makes it more like a tavern or a brothel than a graced palace (1.4.248-251).

• Lear’s actions are becoming increasingly disgraceful and shameful because he continues to travel with a group of one hundred rowdy knights.

Lear

My curses on her [Goneril] (2.4.163.).

Lear

Ask her forgiveness?

Do you but mark how this becomes the house (2.4.171-172).

• These quotes show Lear’s increasingly bad behavior –

he curses his daughter and refuses to ask for forgiveness for his actions.

Main Quote

Lear

No, you unnatural hags,

I will have such revenges on you both

That all the world shall—I will do such things—

What they are yet I know not, but they shall be

The terrors of the earth! You think I’ll weep.

No, I’ll not weep (2.4.319-324).

• Lear’s crudest and basest comments come just moments before his suffering. This provides a nice contrast between

Lear’s pre and post-suffering states.

Main Quote

Lear

Through tattered clothes small vices do appear.

Robes and furred gowns hide all (4.6.180-181).

• Lear finally understands that is suffering has

allowed him to see his flaws.

Lear

Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters (3.2.17.).

• Lear continues on with his current mindset

that his daughters are evil and immoral.

Additional Quotes

Lear

Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world goes 4.6.161-163).

• This is the first time in the play that Lear realizes that suffering may be redemptive.

Lear

Come, an you get it, you

shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

The King exits running pursued by Attendants. (4.6.222-223)

• Though Lear now understands (to some extent) the redemptive power of suffering, he is still too ashamed to face Cordelia.

This is validation that Lear knows he has made a mistake, which is the first step of improving.

Main Quote

King Lear

Lear

Has his daughters brought him to this pass?—

Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give ’em

all? (3.4.68-70).

• Lear is talking to Edgar (in disguise here) - Lear asks if Edgar’s daughters caused him to be in such an unfortunate state ; Lear starts to believe that all daughters are bad.

Main Quote

Lear

Arraign her first; ’tis Goneril. I here take my oath before this honorable assembly, kicked the poor king her father (3.6.50-52).

• Shows that suffering eventually leads to redemption; Lear has been suffering and his evolution into a man of integrity has yet to begin.

Main Quote

Kent

A sovereign shame so elbows him—his own

unkindness, That stripped her from his benediction, turned her to foreign casualties, gave her dear rights to his dog-hearted daughters—these things sting his mind so venomously that burning shame

Detains him from Cordelia. (4.3.51-57).

• Lear feels bad about disowning/exiling Cordelia is too ashamed to meet her. The first mention that Lear knows he made a mistake. (This marks the beginning of Lear's evolution into a better man.)

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Works Cited

More Quotes and Analysis

Quotes and Analysis

Cross Reference

Adah

The Reverend seemed unconcerned about this. . . . If we plagued him with our worries

about Mother, he merely snapped that she would heed God’s call soon enough, and get herself up and around 246).

• This portrays Nathan’s complete disrespect for his wife because he does not care that Orleanna is bedridden.

Orleanna

Until that moment I’d thought I could have it both ways: to be one of them, an also my husband’s wife. What conceit! I was his instrument, his animal (101).

• Orleanna recognizes the subservient role she plays in the relationship.

Leah

“Yet , for all her slaving over a hot stove, Father hardly noticed how she’d won over the crowd” (57).

• Orleanna is suffering on a psychological level, because Nathan Price is a thankless husband who does not appreciate Orleanna’s efforts.

Kingsolver, Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible. London. Faber and Faber Limited, 1998. Print.

Orleanna Price from The Poisonwood Bible

Leah

‘Orleanna, shut up!’ he yelled, grabbing her arm hard and jerking the plate out of her hand.

He raised it up over her head and slammed it down hard on the table, cracking it right in two (152).

• This is another example of physical abuse in Nathan and Orleanna’s relationship.

Leah

Mother kept her promise. She’d gotten up changed from her month in bed. For one thing, she was now inclined to

say whatever was on her mind right in front of God and everybody. Even Father (273).

• Shows that Orleanna’s initial suffering (isolating herself on her bed for days on end) has proved helpful because she now stands up for what she believes in – even in front of Nathan.

Orleanna

“Why, Nathan, here they have to use their bodies like we use things at home – like your clothes or your garden tools or something. Where you’d be wearing out the knees of your trousers, sir, they just have to go ahead and wear out their knees.”

Nathan

Father looked at Mama hard for talking back to him . . .

He said, “Orleanna . . . I’d expect you to comprehend the difference.’ Then he looked at her with his one eye turned mean and said, ‘You of all people’ (62).

• Another example of how mean and crude Nathan is towards Orleanna.

Rachel

Mother tries to explain to him day in and day out about how he is putting his own children in jeopardy of

their lives, but he won’t even listen to his own wife (201).

• Orleanna is completely neglected by Nathan because he will not listen to her concerns.

Orleanna

A mother’s body remembers her babies – the folds of soft flesh, the softly furred scalp against her nose. Each child

has its own entreaties to your body and soul. It’s the last one, though, that overtakes you (433).

• This shows Orleanna’s true suffering – remembering and dealing with the death of her youngest daughter.

Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1608. Print.

Leah

I remember running to throw my arms around Mother’s knees when he regaled her with words and worse,

for curtains unclosed or slips showing – the sins of womanhood (78).

• This shows that Nathan is not only psychologically and emotionally abusing Orleanna, but also physically hurting her.

Orleanna

Oh, a wife may revile such a man with every silent curse she knows. But she can’t throw stones. . . It’s no use.

There are no weapons for this fight. There are countless laws of man and of nature, and none of these is on your side (217).

• This shows that Orleanna believes that the role of the wife in general is a passive role because she believes that she cannot fight against her husband.

Orleanna

Motion became my whole purpose. When there was nothing left to move but myself, I walked to the end of our

village and kept going, with a whole raft of children strung out behind me (435).

• Shows how Orleanna’s suffering (encountering the death of Ruth May) eventually allowed Orleanna to transform her life because after Ruth May’s death, Orleanna left the Belgian Congo with her daughters, thereby leaving her troubled life with Nathan.