King Lear: Prop design

Use of Prop Design in King Lear

Symbolism: Props are used to signify deeper meanings, such as King Lear’s crown, symbolizing his authority and power. Its division signifies the fragmentation of his kingdom and his diminishing control.

Historical Context: Props were often inspired by the Elizabethan era, despite the play’s ancient setting. This conveyed contemporary relevance to the audience.
Scarcity of Props: Given the sparse nature of Elizabethan stages, props used had to be multi-functional and critical to the plot. The letters in King Lear serve this dual purpose of driving the plot, and signifying deceit and betrayal.

Character’s mental state: Props such as King Lear’s flowers in his mad scene portray his deteriorated mental state.
Bearing on the plot: Props like the letter used by Edmund to betray his brother Edgar, significantly affect the story’s progression.
Foreshadow Events: Using symbolic props like Gloucester’s eyes, Shakespeare foreshadows tragic events.

Visual Impact: Props, though minimal, were visually impactful. For instance, the use of blood in Gloucester’s blinding scene would have caused shock in the audience.
Conveying Status and Hierarchy: Props like clothes and crowns depicted a character’s social standing and power.

Map Scene: The map used by Lear to divide his kingdom is a crucial prop, setting the tone of the story. It visualises the literal division of power.
Storm Scene: Props used to depict the storm – sound effects, lighting, costumes – portray the chaos in Lear’s mind and his kingdom.
Blinding Scene: The brutal removal of Gloucester’s eyes using an unshown sharp object depicts violence, contributing to the tragic weight of the play.