Human Decomposition:
Thou changèd and self-covered thing, for shame!
Bemonster not thy feature. Were 't my fitness
To let these hands obey my blood,
They are apt enough to dislocate and tear
Thy flesh and bones. Howe'er thou art a fiend,
A woman's shape doth shield thee.
(Act 4, Scene II, Page 102)
This quote is taken from Albany, who is appalled by Goneril’s treatment of her aging father. He recognizes that her facial features are developing into a physical manifestation of her personality. Her decomposition is corporeal as well as moral, for as she continues to do terrible deeds, her morals decay and so does her aesthetic.
Alack, I have no eyes.
Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage
And frustrate his proud will.
(Act 4, Scene 6, Page 112)
At this point, Gloucester believes he as fallen from what he presumes to be a large cliff. Though Edgar, disguised as a common man, expressed his “astonishment” at the fall Gloucester had taken and had attempted to convince Gloucester that his miraculous survival was fated Gloucester still longs for death. This marks Gloucester’s emotional decomposition. Gloucester, having been recently blinded and having gained the information that he has penalized his only loyal son, is in emotional turmoil. This is a radical character change from the bold and self-assured man in Act 3 Scene III, who stated that “We must incline to the king. I will look him and privily relieve/him. Go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my/charity be not of him perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill and/gone to bed. Though I die for it—as no less is threatened/me—the king my old master must be relieved.” Gloucester is willing to boldly risk his life in this scene, but after his blinding he wishes to flee from life in cowardice.
Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press-
money. That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper.
Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace,
peace, this piece of toasted cheese will do 't. There's my
gauntlet. I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills.
O, well flown, bird. I' th' clout, i' th' clout. Hewgh! Give
the word.
(Act 4, Scene VI, Page 113)
It is in this scene where Gloucester and Edgar come across a maddened Lear. Lear is still moderately sentient. The first line in his speech is a direct response to A comment muttered under Edgar’s breath, “O thou side-piercing sight!”. Which essentially translates to an exclamation of “How heartbreaking to see such a thing!” Act 4, Scene VI is a reflection of he mental decomposition, as Lear is unable to string together a comprehensible, relevant statement. This breakdown is , of course, a byproduct of the emotional trauma of being neglected by his daughters.
Heartbreak:
But who comes here?
My father, poorly led? World, world, O world!
But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age.
(Act 4, Scene I, Page 95)
Here Edgar sees his blinded father for the first time since he was banished. When he exclaims “ World, world, O world!” Edgar is lamenting the cruel fate the world has placed upon his father. He feels that if the world and it’s tragedies corrodes man, breaking his heart and aging him to his death.
Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of “father”
Pantingly forth as if it pressed her heart,
Cried, “Sisters, sisters! Shame of ladies, sisters!
Kent, father, sisters! What, i' th' storm, i' th' night?
Let pity not be believed.” There she shook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
And clamor moistened. Then away she started
To deal with grief alone.
(Act 4, Scene III, Page 105)
This is an except from Act 4, Scene III in which A gentleman who delivered letters to Cordelia pertaining to her father’s condition, is describing her reaction to Kent. Cordelia is shocked at the vile treatment of her father, whom she still loves despite being shunned by him. She cried as she read the letter and eventually left to grieve alone, utterly distraught.
And my poor fool is hanged.—No, no, no life?
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all? Oh, 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. O, O, O, O.
(Act 5, Scene III, Page 145)
This is perhaps the most obvious example of heartbreak in “King Lear”. Lear and Cordelia have finally been reunited and have reconciled. Unfortunately, Edmund had ordered Cordelia killed. Lear managed, even in his old age, to kill the man hanging her, but could not save Cordelia. The reader is left with the tragic image of an old, senile man mourning over the body of his daughter, thinking that perhaps she still breathes, then dying of shock.
Grief Without Relief
O you mighty gods, (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.
(Act 4, Scene VI, Page 111)
In this scene, Gloucester grieves for himself. He is about to attempt his own suicide and his reason for doing so is the fact that he has recently been blinded. Gloucester grieves for his vision. He knows that there is no cure for his blindness, therefore if he chooses to live, he will face much adversity.
EDGAR
This would have seemed a period
To such as love not sorrow, but another
To amplify too much would make much more
And top extremity.
Whilst I was big in clamor came there in a man
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunned my abhorred society, but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms
He fastened on my neck, and bellowed out
As he'd burst heaven, threw him on my father,
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear received—which in recounting
His grief grew puissant and the strings of life
Began to crack. Twice then the trumpets sounded,
And there I left him tranced
ALBANY
But who was this?
EDGAR
Kent, sir, the banished Kent, who in disguise
Followed his enemy king and did him service
Improper for a slave.
(Act 5, Scene III,Page 140)
In this exchange, Gloucester’s death is revealed. Edgar tells Albany of Kent’s reaction to the grievous circumstances. Kent had apparently seen Edgar sobbing, realized that the man he’d thought was a beggar was actually Edgar, and thrown himself on Gloucester in grief. Kent’s character throughout the play has been a tragic one. He was a former Noble, banished by Lear. Kent was still loyal after his banishment and disguised himself as a servant, doing him “service improper for a slave” in order to keep in Lear’s company. He is driven to near madness by his grief, even grabbing Edgar’s throat.
Howl, howl, howl, howl! Oh, 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.
(Act 5, Scene III, Page 142)
Cordelia has recently been killed and Lear is mourning her loss. He had only been reunited with her for a short while. He spoke of how they would live happily together, but his chimerical dream has been shattered by her death. He has been shunned and neglected by his two oldest daughters and has grieved over his unjust treatment for most of the play. Now that he’s realized that it was only Cordelia’s love that was true, she has been lost as well.
-Murry-uh
