Show Notes
Our 19th podcast is the second in a series of revision talks on King Lear, prior to the Leaving Certificate in early June. The first one examined Act I scene i. This second podcast looks at the extreme bleakness of Shakespeare's vision in the play, especially through its treatment of religion and the gods. The gods are often invoked in King Lear, and on the surface in it ancient Britain seems to be a highly religious society. But in fact there is no stage at which heaven seems to be active or effective. The play disabuses its audience of the notion that there is any benevolent power above which will protect us from ourselves.
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