In Shakespeare's King Lear, how is Lear presented in the following passage? Act 1. Scene 1 (123-128)

Lear is presented as an unfit tyrannical ruler in the passage. The metaphor of himself as a dragon, "come not between the dragon and his wroth," illustrates a belief in himself as powerful and terrifying. Furthermore, the connotations of dragons as lazy and gluttonous could suggest these too are traits Lear holds. The dragon is also, through the mythology of St. George and The Dragon, the conventional enemy of England thus suggesting Lear's image of himself and gluttony cause a negative effect on his kingdom. However, unlike this metaphor, he wishes to "rest (his) head on (Cordelia's) kind nursery" suggesting a fragility to his needs. Furthermore, there is an infantile quality to the noun "nursery," both reinforcing this fragility and referenceing "the seventh age of man" in Jaques famous "All the world's a stage" soliqouy form "As You Like It," suggesting Lear has returned to childhood and would thus be unfit to rule. Therefore, in this small passage, Lear is presented as a vain and tyrannical king who is unfit, through age, to lead his Kingdom.

Answered by Calum M. English tutor

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