Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Shakespeare’s *King Lear*, a tragedy of immense scope and emotional depth, grapples with fundamental questions about human nature, justice, and the cosmos. Central to the play’s thematic concerns is the opposition between the ‘natural’ and the ‘unnatural’. In the Jacobean period, ‘nature’ wasn’t simply the physical environment but encompassed a divinely ordained hierarchical order, both in the cosmos and in society. To act ‘unnaturally’ meant to violate this order, to transgress against God’s law and the established social structure. *King Lear* powerfully portrays the catastrophic consequences that arise when this natural order is disrupted through ambition, deceit, and filial ingratitude, ultimately questioning the very foundations of a seemingly stable world.
Defining ‘Nature’ and ‘Unnatural’ in *King Lear*
Shakespeare’s use of ‘nature’ is multifaceted. It refers to the physical world – storms, landscapes, animals – but also to inherent human qualities like compassion, loyalty, and reason. The ‘unnatural’, conversely, represents a deviation from this established order. This includes acts of cruelty, betrayal, and the deliberate rejection of familial bonds. The play frequently equates unnatural behavior with bestial qualities, suggesting a regression to a primitive, lawless state.
The Natural World as a Mirror to Human Disorder
The tempestuous storm in Act III, Scene II, is perhaps the most potent example of the natural world reflecting the chaos within Lear’s kingdom and his own mind. The storm isn’t merely a meteorological event; it’s a symbolic representation of the political and moral upheaval. Lear’s descent into madness coincides with the storm’s fury, suggesting a connection between the internal and external worlds. He famously asks, “Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!” (III.ii.2), identifying with the storm’s destructive power. This identification highlights the breakdown of the natural hierarchy – the king, traditionally a symbol of order, aligns himself with chaos.
Unnatural Filial Piety and its Consequences
The play’s opening scene immediately establishes the theme of the unnatural through the love test. Lear demands professions of love from his daughters, prioritizing flattery over genuine affection. Goneril and Regan’s hyperbolic declarations are demonstrably ‘unnatural’ – insincere and manipulative. Cordelia’s honest refusal to participate in this charade is presented as a natural response, yet it leads to her banishment. This act of disinheritance sets in motion a chain of events that unravels the kingdom. The contrast between Cordelia’s natural integrity and her sisters’ calculated deceit is central to the play’s moral framework.
The Bestialization of Humanity
Shakespeare frequently employs animal imagery to depict characters who have succumbed to their baser instincts. Goneril and Regan are repeatedly associated with predatory animals – vultures, tigers – emphasizing their ruthless ambition and lack of compassion. Edmund, the illegitimate son, explicitly embraces a ‘natural’ philosophy rooted in self-interest, declaring, “Now, gods, stand up for bastards!” (I.ii.22). However, his ‘natural’ inclination towards self-preservation quickly devolves into monstrous cruelty, demonstrating that unrestrained natural impulses, devoid of moral constraints, are inherently destructive. The Duke of Gloucester’s blinding, orchestrated by Edmund, is a particularly brutal example of this descent into savagery.
Edgar’s Transformation and the Reclamation of Nature
Edgar’s disguise as Poor Tom, a ‘bedlam’ beggar, allows him to experience the harsh realities of the natural world and to understand the plight of the marginalized. His journey represents a stripping away of societal artifice, a return to a more primal state. However, unlike Edmund, Edgar uses this experience to cultivate compassion and empathy. His eventual defeat of Edmund and restoration of order can be interpreted as a reaffirmation of the natural hierarchy, albeit one tempered by a greater understanding of human suffering. The final scene, with its emphasis on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, suggests a tentative restoration of natural harmony.
The Fool as a Voice of Natural Wisdom
The Fool, through his seemingly nonsensical pronouncements, often provides insightful commentary on the play’s central themes. He represents a form of natural wisdom, uncorrupted by ambition or social convention. His criticisms of Lear’s folly and his warnings about the dangers of unchecked power serve as a constant reminder of the natural order that has been disrupted. The Fool’s disappearance towards the end of the play symbolizes the loss of this natural perspective amidst the overwhelming tragedy.
| Character | Representation of ‘Natural’ | Representation of ‘Unnatural’ |
|---|---|---|
| Cordelia | Honesty, genuine affection, loyalty | None |
| Goneril & Regan | None | Deceit, cruelty, ambition |
| Edmund | Initial embrace of self-preservation | Ruthless ambition, betrayal, monstrous cruelty |
| Lear | Initial authority (though flawed) | Madness, descent into primal rage |
Conclusion
*King Lear* doesn’t offer a simplistic resolution to the tension between nature and the unnatural. While the play concludes with a sense of devastation, it also hints at the possibility of renewal. Shakespeare demonstrates that the disruption of the natural order – whether through political ambition, familial betrayal, or the unrestrained pursuit of self-interest – inevitably leads to chaos and suffering. The play’s enduring power lies in its profound exploration of these fundamental human flaws and its unsettling questioning of the very foundations of justice and morality. The restoration of order is incomplete, leaving the audience to contemplate the fragility of the natural world and the enduring threat of its corruption.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.