Imagery, Symbolism, and the Power of Words

Imagery and symbolism is an important aspect in King Lear. This greatly enhances the characters. Shakespeare uses this imagery to portray the very natures of the characters. One of the most prominent instances of this is the imagery presented in the storm that begins at the end of Act II. This storm is very representative of Lear’s inner turmoil. He is starting to go mad. His daughters, who had professed their love to him, now kick him out of the very kingdom that he had given them. The thunder and lightening represent the anger that he is feeling. The intense winds, blowing every which way, are like the condition of his mind. His emotions are so intense that they bring him toward madness. Shakespeare also uses the nature of the beast to represent his characters. Shakespeare was very concerned with the nature of man. In comparing his characters to animals, he reduces people to their very basic self, instinct. There were several animal comparisons in King Lear. The fox was used to describe Goneril. The fox is very sly. This is exactly what Goneril is. She used her craftiness to trick her father into giving her half of the kingdom. Goneril and Regan are also compared to tigers. The Duke of Albany says, “Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd?” (IV.II.45). He is saying that they are acting more like predators than daughters. The sisters are also compared to a serpent. A serpent is representative of the devil, evil, and deception. There are several references to the serpent. King Lear says that Regan, “Struck me with her tongue, /Most serpent-like, upon the very heart:” (II.IV.162-163). There is also a reference to a vulture. Once again, the sisters are compared to a evil scavenger that feeds off those who are weaker. Lear says, “Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied/Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here:” (II.IV.136-137). This use of imagery and language is a great enhancer. This is the power of words. With it, comparisons can be made to help describe things that are hard to put into words, so it is much easier to try to imagine them through the symbol. The power of words is a thing that cannot be stressed enough. Without this use of words, the ability to describe characters and their very nature would be greatly influenced. Shakespeare is brilliant at these plays on words to describe the very nature of a thing. Maybe more writers nowadays should be a little more like William Shakespeare. Current works would definitely have more substance and actually be considered something worth calling a classic. That is one thing I wonder about. What is going to be the “classics” of our generation? Are we even going to have any? There is nothing really that greatly sticks out to me now. But maybe one day, the writings of someone from our generation will make him or her the next William Shakespeare.