King Lear by William Shakespeare

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Shakespeare uses a variety of lexical sets in combination with each other to increase the dramatic and engaging qualities of the opening of King Lear. Shakespeare uses both the lexical set of depression and money to create a rich atmosphere in which the audience are left gripped due to their profound engagement with the text as brought on by the abundance of lexis’ throughout the scene. Shakespeare uses lexis of depression in Lear’s dialogue to display how this powerful character is taking to old age. From the love-quest it is clear that Lear has accepted his age and the difficulties it brings with it. Through Shakespeare exposing his audience to this lexis and the grim image of his ‘unburdened crawl toward death’ within it the audience learn of Lear’s emotion towards his decision. Juxtaposed to the lexis of money the ominous lexis of depression becomes sadder for the audience to accept. Shakespeare allows his audience to become empathetic to Lear through his lexis of money as it is clear his two daughters, from the opening, are only concerned about money; to be ‘valued’, to be ‘rich’ instead of ‘poor’ rather than his health in his old age as Cordelia is. Shakespeare uses the lexis to further the audiences mistrust and dislike for Goneril and Regan as their elegant, flowing phrases to their father are fictitious and selfish. Shakespeare’s lexical sets work together to create a dramatic atmosphere as the audience are left appalled at the behaviour of Goneril and Regan to their decrepit father.

To conclude it is clear that Shakespeare uses a variety of methods and devices to create an engaging and dramatic opening which leaves the audience wanting more. It thus raises the question of why Shakespeare has made the opening so dramatic and engaging. It may be to suit the conventions of a tragedy- although this argument is tangible due to the fact although King Lear is defined as a tragedy Shakespeare uses the conventions loosely only suiting to them when it suits him. Alternatively Act 1 Scene 1 may be so dramatic and engaging as a method by which to keep the audience gripped and excited for the rest of the play which is to come.