King Lear: Writer's Techniques

King Lear: Writer’s Techniques

• Structure of the Play: King Lear is divided into five acts and follows a three-part structure: the exposition/introduction, the development/complication, and the resolution/denouement.
• Atmosphere of the Play: King Lear creates an atmosphere of tension and impending tragedy through its exploration of familial discord and the consequences of Lear’s rash decisions.
• Shakespeare’s use of Wordplay: Shakespeare’s frequent use of puns, metaphors, and irony enriches the dialogue and underscores key themes, revealing characters’ motives and emotional states.
• Shakespeare’s use of Poetry & Prose: Shakespeare deviates between poetic verses, often used by noble characters, and prosaic dialogue, typically attributed to lower-class characters, to emphasise social statuses and the differing realities lived by the characters.
• Shakespeare’s use of Stagecraft: Through minimal props, grand declamatory styles, soliloquies and asides, Shakespeare creates a vivid world on the stage that reflects the tumultuous state of King Lear’s mind and kingdom.
• Shakespeare’s use of Symbolism: Shakespeare uses symbols like the storm, blindfold and crown to represent themes such as madness, lack of insight and the loss of power respectively, enhancing the depth and complexity of the play’s message.