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Hyperbaton King Lear

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In this excerpt of Act 2, Scene 4, from William Shakespeare’s tragic play King Lear, Lear is angry that Cornwall and Regan refuse to see him after putting Caius in the stocks. His daughter and his son-in-law are supposedly too fatigued and ill from travel to see their father. Lear speaks with Gloucester and orders Regan and Cornwall to appear. At first, his anger is evident as he does not understand why his family will not come to see and talk to him. However, in the middle of his speech, Lear hesitates because Regan and Cornwall may actually be unwell. He knows that those who are ill usually behave irrationally, such as refusing to see him. But, when he sees his loyal servant in the stocks again, his anger returns. Lear’s mood changes abruptly …show more content…

He uses the term King, because he still believes that his title holds power. Lear refers to himself in the third person to emphasise that the King is the ultimate authority, and that people should obey him as the ruler. Then, he says “Would with his daughter speak” (2.4.114). Hyperbaton is used, by placing the verb at the end of the phrase. The verb “speak” is emphasised because Lear wants to discuss with Regan about why Caius is in the stocks. After, Lear refers to his daughter as “my breath and blood” as he tries to understand why she would not see him. Lear created Regan, and daughters are supposed to listen to their fathers. They are flesh and blood. This metaphor shows that Lear is frustrated because his own daughter is disobeying him. His anger appears because he does not have the same respect and obedience as before. Quickly, his attention shifts to the “fiery” Duke. Cornwall is supposedly stubborn and quick-tempered, which explains why he refuses to see Lear. This only intensifies his anger because he believes that Cornwall should treat the King as his utmost priority. The audience develops sympathy for the old King because his power seems to be diminishing. He is no longer the priority in the kingdom, which is shown through how his own family behaves around

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To be more specific his stature is from a royal bloodline, a king and his social standing stands above the rest of the characters. In the beginning he is an authoritative and powerful figure at the peak of his reign. He is presented to the audience as a magnificent ruler, being brought onto the stage with majestic fervor and zeal through ceremonial introductions and trumpet calls. Immediately, the audience is made aware that during his rule, Lear, proved himself to be beyond a competent ruler, adding prosperity and wellness throughout his regions of rule. This all proves that Lear retains his prospective position as a tragic hero by being a figure of high nobility whom is highly respected.

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