King Lear: historical context

Elizabethan Society

During the time King Lear was written, England was a hierarchical society with a strong belief in the divine right of kings and social order.
This social structure is reflected in the play, particularly in the characters’ reference to natural order and their distress when it is disrupted.

King Lear’s abdication of his throne would have been seen as shockingly unnatural and sacrilegious to Shakespeare’s contemporary audience.
The concept of the divine right of kings held that a monarch’s authority was granted directly by God, and to defy that was to defy God himself.
Lear’s self-imposition of suffering upon himself by abdicating breaks the natural order, leading to chaos and tragedy, aligned with contemporary beliefs.

The Elizabethan era was known for its belief in the supernatural, including the influence of witches and spirits.
The character of The Fool often predicts future events, possibly reflecting these superstitious beliefs.

King James I of England, reigning during the creation of the play, was attempting to unite Scotland and England under his rule, reflecting the clash between the older and younger generations in the play.
The “Union of Crowns” could have inspired Shakespeare to explore the theme of a divided kingdom in the story of Lear.

The role of Cordelia may have been influenced by the Elizabethan ideal of the “silent woman”, women seen as virtuous when they were quiet and obedient.
Provoking the audience’s sympathy, Cordelia’s tragic fate can be understood as critique on the constraints imposed on women in Elizabethan society.

During the Elizabethan period, the world was undergoing great geographical and scientific discovery. Shakespeare’s use of storm imagery and exploration of the natural world may reflect this contemporary fascination.

King Lear—a clear critique of the ideals of monarchy and power—may have been risky given the era’s strict censorship laws. However, Shakespeare’s portrayal of the human condition was universally relatable, ensuring its relevance and resonance.