'Reason in madness' - Explore the varieties and significance of madness in King Lear.

Lear experiences lucidity, 'reason', and exhibits his most profound moments when he is mad. This is the central irony in Lear and reflects both the contradiction, which is a convention of Classical tragedy and the essential uncertainty of the human condition, which the play ultimately expresses. 

-  'Reason' in madness - as the idea that the suffering of both Lear and his foil Gloucester is not futilie - relate to the tragic vision. 

- Either: suffering as productive: Lear as affirmative of the Christianity 

- Or: there is essentially no 'reason' in the suffering - overwhelming impression of waste. 

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

Can an author use a particular contemporary issue or a precise historical context as a means to convey a more timeless and universal matter?


How does Hardy make the opening chapters of “Tess of the D'Urbervilles” such a dramatic and engaging start to the novel?


How do I select and memorise quotes for closed book exam papers?


‘A noble Venetian lady is to be murdered by our poet in sober sadness, purely for being a fool!’ In light of this view, discuss Shakespeare’s representation of Desdemona in 'Othello' and whether it challenges the morals of his time.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences