Show Notes
Our 23rd podcast is the final one of 6 on King Lear. This looks at the end of the play, considering how the famously bleak ending is constructed by Shakespeare. Lear so nearly becomes a play with a comic ending (like its sources and Nahum Tate's rewritten 1681 version). Instead, there is no mitigation: all is dark horror. To read Tate's version, click here (go to page 66 for the ending).
More from Julian Girdham
The start of the major turning point of the play, Act 3 scene 3. By the end of this, there is still no real sign of what will catastrophically happen in the next episode.
The second half of Act 2 scene 3, as Iago gets things into line before the central scene of the play, Act 3 scene 3. Brief comments also on 3.1 and 3.2.
Act 2 scene 3 is a busy one, with a lot of action moving quickly, in advance of the central scene of the play, Act 3 scene 3, which is only a few minutes' acting away. This episode is on the first part of 2.3.
Completing Act 2 scene 1, and a brief mention of Act 2 scene 2.
Act 2 scene 1. The play moves to Cyprus, far away from so-called 'civilised' Venice, a move marked by a significant sea-storm. More on www.juliangirdham.com