Essay About Criticism Of Shakespeares Plays :: essays research papers

Essay About Criticism of Shakespe ares PlaysWhen attempting to read criticism of Shakespeare plays one caprice isclear if the review was written more than five or ten years ago the essay islikely to be exclusive when it comes to the women in Shakespeare. Littleattention had been given to the women of Shakespeare antecedent to the seventiesfeminist movement. The women in faggot Lear deserve attention just as women inevery Shakespearean play do. A common idea among critics is that the womenperpetuated evil and were not worthy of acknowledgment for anything else.Goneril and Regan are believed to be vicious, evil women and Cordelia the small,sweet daughter and while this interpretation may be true at that place are other aspectsto consider which are not typically presented when reviewing these femalecharacters. Each of these women is worthy of acclaim for her strengths ofcharacter as well as in opposition to the male characters and various subplotswithin Lear.A common interpretatio n of Lear is one of the juxtaposition of good andevil within the play. Many traditional critics become made this idea theirprimary focus in interpretations which often ignores the feminist and classconscious theme that are also present in King Lear. Most recent criticalessays of King Lear do make note of the class struggle within the play however,critics tend to ignore the gender struggles which upon complete reading areclearly as obvious as the class issues. I have chosen an interpretation of KingLear from 1960, by Irving Ribner and set it in contrast with a 1991 review byAnn Thompson. There are some interesting points made in both essays and somestark differences in what and who are the important themes and characters inLear.In Irving Ribners essay, The Pattern of Regeneration in King Lear,Ribner focuses on Lears regeneration as a result of the suffering he essentialundergo(Ribner 116). In the opening section of his essay, Ribner makes clearthat he will approach his interpretat ion of King Lear from the perspective ofLears spiritual rebirth. Ribner focuses attention on the suffering of Lear andof the butt of rebirth through suffering that Lear is able to do. Lear isindeed the tragic hero but must go through great pains to achieve such notoriety.As Lears madness progresses he is able to come closer to his epiphany. Learbecomes humble and succumbs to the fact that perhaps he is imperfect as fatherand king(Ribner 127-129). Humility is obligatory for Lears regeneration and itis through his process of pain that he is able to achieve rebirth(Ribner 128).