Comparing the Dominant and Feminist Readings of Shakespeares King Lear

Comparing the possessive and Feminist Readings of King Lear Shakespeares King Lear has been the source of much contention as to the way in which the text rear be read. The play to begin with was written for the Jacobean audience of Shakespeares time, but since then has taken on m any other readings. These new readings are produced to comment on issues in the society in which it is explored. Readings encompass a wide range of ideas - from the paramount reading, the manner in which Shakespeares audience would tolerate perceived the text, to feminist ideals. The conglomerate readings are influenced by the context in which they are discussed. In bad-tempered the dominant and feminist readings of King Lear both perceive the text in different contexts the dominant following the traditional Jacobean interpretation as it was originally written, and the feminist reading pursuing a need for the pretermit of a patriarchal society in the twentieth century. King Lear corpora tion be read in a variety of ways, achieving a sight perspective that suits the reader. The Jacobean reading of King Lear focuses the blame for chaos and the accompanying tragedies on Lears foolish decision to divide his kingdom between his common chord daughters. Though the play is set in pre-Christian times, Shakespeares audience was greatly influenced by Elizabethan structure and hierarchy. According to the Great Chain of Being, God was the inquiry of the universe, and the King was established as Gods connection to people. Lears choice of abdication would have been viewed as blasphemy towards God. The audience would now perceive Lears tragedy as inevitable due to his decisions. The play King Lear can be viewed as an expression of the Jacobean period concept of so... ... focuses on Lears downfall and the sympathize with we feel for Lear. The feminist reading of King Lear focuses on how the portrayal of women in the play is of a negative aspect and displays wome n as unfit for any role of leadership, else chaos ensues. The film A Thousand Miles shows how King Lear can be interpreted as a feminist reading in a contemporary setting, revealing the text King Lear in an on the whole new light - women portrayed as the victims of men. King Lear can hence be read in a variety of ways. Works Cited Frey, C. Experiencing Shakespeare. capital of South Carolina University of Missouri Press, 1988. Granville-Barker, H. Prefaces to Shakespeare. London B.T. Batsford INC, 1984. Halio, J. The Tragedy of King Lear. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1992. Thompson, A. King Lear Criticism. NJ humanities Press International, 1988.