King Lear: language

Characteristics of Language

Commanding and authoritative language: At the early part of the play, King Lear’s language is distinctly controlling, echoing his status as a monarch.
Animals and Nature Imagery: Many occurrences of animal and nature symbols deeply intertwined in the language used, such as the “pelican daughters,” inferring to the parasitic relationships.
Metaphorical language: Predominant throughout the play, serving to reflect the extreme mental and emotional states of characters.
Contrasts in Diction: Comparison between the noble use of verse by characters like Lear at the start and their degeneration into prose by the end is profound.

Lear’s language: From bold and firm at the start, King Lear’s speech disintegrates into chaotic ramblings and madness, reflecting his mental deterioration.
Edgar’s language: Contrary to Lear’s, Edgar’s language evolves from regular prose to verse, indicating his growth and maturity.
Fool’s language: His witty puns and wordplay serve as humorous but also heartbreaking commentary on the surrounding tragedy.

Language of Injustice and Suffering: This is employed to underscore the brutality of the world and the misery of the characters.
Language of Madness and Folly: Madness is frequently portrayed through erratic and disjointed speeches, particularly of Lear, signifying his losing grip on reality.

Authoritative versus Submissive language: King Lear’s initial commanding speech opposed to his later powerless and frantic talk mirrors the shifting power dynamics in the play.
Language and Deception: Characters like Goneril, Regan, and Edmund use manipulative language as an instrument of deceit to gain power, exemplified in their eloquent speeches full of flattery and cunning lies.

Irony: Frequently used, particularly in the Fool’s speeches, to expose the folly and discrepancy in the behaviour and decisions of others, especially Lear.
Rhyme and Meter: The regular use of iambic pentameter in the verse dialogues reflect formality and status, where words and sentiments are thoughtfully pronounced.
Soliloquies and asides: Used to reveal the innermost thoughts and plans of characters, particularly with Edmund and his plotting.