Essay About Criticism Of Shakespeare

’s Plays Essay, Research Paper

Essay About Criticism of Shakespeare’s Plays

When attempting to read criticism of Shakespeare plays one idea is

clear: if the review was written more than five or ten years ago the essay is

likely to be exclusive when it comes to the women in Shakespeare. Little

attention had been given to the women of Shakespeare prior to the seventies

feminist movement. The women in King Lear deserve attention just as women in

every Shakespearean play do. A common idea among critics is that the women

perpetuated 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 there are other aspects

to consider which are not typically presented when reviewing these female

characters. Each of these women is worthy of acclaim for her strengths of

character as well as in opposition to the male characters and various subplots

within Lear.

A common interpretation of Lear is one of the juxtaposition of good and

evil within the play. Many traditional critics have made this idea their

primary focus in interpretations which often ignores the feminist and class

conscious theme that are also present in King Lear. Most recent critical

essays of King Lear do make note of the class struggle within the play; however,

critics tend to ignore the gender struggles which upon thorough reading are

clearly as obvious as the class issues. I have chosen an interpretation of King

Lear from 1960, by Irving Ribner and set it in contrast with a 1991 review by

Ann Thompson. There are some interesting points made in both essays and some

stark differences in .what and who’ are the important themes and characters in

Lear.

In Irving Ribner’s essay, .The Pattern of Regeneration in King Lear,.

Ribner focuses on Lear’s regeneration as a result of the .suffering. he must

undergo(Ribner 116). In the opening section of his essay, Ribner makes clear

that he will approach his interpretation of King Lear from the perspective of

Lear’s spiritual rebirth. Ribner focuses attention on the suffering of Lear and

of the process of rebirth through suffering that Lear is able to do. Lear is

indeed the tragic hero but must go through great pains to achieve such notoriety.

As Lear’s madness progresses he is able to come closer to his epiphany. Lear

becomes humble and succumbs to the fact that perhaps he is imperfect as father

and king(Ribner 127-129). Humility is necessary for Lear’s regeneration and it

is through his process of pain that he is able to achieve rebirth(Ribner 128).

In Ribner’s introduction to his study of Shakespeare, he states, .

Tragedy is an exploration of man’s relation to the forces of evil in the world.

It seeks for answers to cosmic problems, much as religion seeks them, for it is

a product of man’s desire to believe in a purposive ordered universe.(Ribner 1).

From this introduction it seems clear that Ribner will be examining the forces

of good and evil within Shakespeare. Later Ribner states in his Lear essay that,

.if Shakespeare is to assert the power of man to overcome evil, the forces of

evil must be shown in their most uncompromising terms.(Ribner 116). Ribner

proceeds to present the forces of evil in terms of the behavior of Edmund,

Cornwall, Goneril and Regan. Ribner goes on to state that the primary focus of

the play is on Lear himself with the other characters serving .secondary

supporting functions, each symbolic of some force of good and evil.(Ribner 117).

Ribner views the behavior of Cordelia, Edgar, Kent and the Fool as the

antithesis to the evil doings of the other characters. In Ribner’s study of

King Lear the forces representing evil are most clearly examined through the

behavior of Goneril and Regan with occasional references to Edmund and Cornwall.

While Ribner does use Edmund as a representative of evil, he also excuses Edmund

based on his background of illegitimacy. Ann Thompson later criticizes the

critics who let Edmund .off the hook’ based on his background.

Ribner places his critique in historical context of the Jacobean

response to the play. He is careful to note what .would be’ reactions in

specific instances may have been vastly different than contemporary reactions.

Ribner makes it clear that in Jacobean England the political reactions to Lear’s

resignation of the throne would have resulted in turmoil for the audience and

that they would have been far less influenced by his banishment of his daughter,

Cordelia(Ribner 118-119). A political interpretation of Shakespeare is what

Ribner seems to be driving towards. He makes clear what the historical and

political interpretations would have been when King Lear was first staged.

Ribner pays little attention to the women of King Lear other than to

accuse G

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