“Thematic Elements”

Upon watching the video clip of “King Lear” with the storm scene, one can decipher many different factors used in the making of this film. For instance, the camera work in this one scene is unstable and slightly shaky. The camera moves slowly but also tries to capture the entire set being filmed. The viewer’s focus is skewed because the camera does not zoom in on the actors’ faces for a good portion of the beginning of the scene. This causes curiosity and intrigue in the viewer and also evokes a distant, far-off perspective. The viewer cannot see clearly the expressions on King Lear’s face, much less that of the fool. Therefore, the viewer is left with uncertainty and confusion as to what all is taking place in this scene.
Another observation to take into account is the landscape. The director decided to film this scene on a desert-like, wide-open and dry space. The ground is completely bare and supports little plant life. The surface, upon which the King and the fool are running aimlessly about on, is cracked and rigid. Even when the characters find a cave to take shelter in, the surroundings are dull, dark, damp, and dreary. The high cliffs in the background are jagged and intimidating, setting the perfect mood for what is taking place in the storyline.
Yet another facet of this scene is the storm. The response needed from the viewer and the emotion projected by the actors would not have been half as dramatic if the scene had been set in a field of flowers blooming with the sun shining down upon them. However, take a raging thunderstorm about to break forth, and one has captured the mood precisely. The scene begins with an unearthly howling wind, both seen and heard. The actors’ clothes are being blown about in this strange wind and both the King and the fool struggle in walking through such strong currents of air. The sky is being swallowed up by ominous black clouds and a depth of grayness has hovered over the characters. Now the rain comes down in torrents and both men are soaked and wandering rapidly about this barren landscape.
Finally, the viewer is allowed the close-up of King Lear’s face and can finally take a deep breath and feel settled as to knowing what his internal turmoil entails. The whole time, the storm, the setting, the filming, and the landscape has been telling the story regardless of dialogue or facial expressions. The storm indicates the climax of the plot as well as King Lear’s major conflicts and problems. His emotions are portrayed perfectly in the natural elements and his situation is only emphasized and characterized by nature’s role in this scene.