King Lear by William Shakespeare

This video is about the film of King Lear(2008), and it appealed to me because it  intercepted some of the classic fragments of this story even if only one minute. For example, King Lear talked with three daughters, King Lear was angry because of the actions of his eldest daughter, and later King Lear was completely insane, and so on. So the audience can understand that this is a tragic and tortuous story, and also it may arouse more people to watch this movie or to read the book through this video.

There is a scene impressed me in which King Lear looks at his daughter, his eyes are full of kindness, and his daughter’s eyes are tears (0:44-0:52), and it related to the book which is Lear partially recognizes Cordelia(act 4 scene7).

CORDELIA

Sir, do you know me?

LEAR

You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?

CORDELIA

(aside to DOCTOR) Still, still far wide!

DOCTOR

He’s scarce awake. Let him alone awhile.

LEAR

Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?

I am mightily abused. I should ev’n die with pity

To see another thus. I know not what to say.

I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see.

I feel this pinprick. Would I were assured of my condition

CORDELIA

(kneels)

O, look upon me, sir,

And hold your hands in benediction o’er me.

No, sir, you must not kneel.

LEAR

Pray, do not mock me.

I am a very foolish fond old man,

Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less.

And to deal plainly

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

Methinks I should know you, and know this man.Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant. What place this is, and all the skill I have

Remembers not these garments. Nor I know not

Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,

For as I am a man, I think this lady

To be my child Cordelia.

CORDELIA

And so I am, I am.

LEAR

Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not.

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know you do not love me, for your sisters

Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.

You have some cause; they have not.

CORDELIA

No cause, no cause.

(ACT 4 Scene 7)

Many famous actors have played King Lear, but it is generally believed that only an old actor can truly reflect this role. In this film, Ian McKellen is the actor of King Lear, I think he played very well. This scene reminded me of my grandma. She is a very kind and childlike old man. I don’t know whether Western culture is like this, but in Chinese culture, we are more family-oriented, so the elderly want their children and grandchildren to live with them. People may think that King Lear’s tragedy was caused by he made a wrong decision as King Lear said himself ”I am a very foolish fond old man.“ But I think he is just like my grandmother, just an old man who wants his children and grandchildren to live with him, and this intention is not stupid or wrong.