May 9, 2007

Backwards Religion = Insanity?

Perhaps the Elizabethan audience would have constructed Lear's insanity as a religious regression.

Joy Kennedy "Shakespeare's King Lear"

Religion has always been a sensitive subject - to put it mildly. Religious persecution, or, for that matter, almost all persecution, comes from a lack of understanding about the traditional mannerisms of behavior.

Unrecognizable behavior to an unprepared mind does strike a note of insanity.

Just think about it. That person spinning on the elevator for their class project attracts attention. That is the entire point of the experiment! When something doesn't fit, it stands out.

So yes, by putting on the vestments of a pagan religion - the insanity of King Lear seems more complete. I just don't see it as religious regression.

Posted by Diana Geleskie at May 9, 2007 7:47 PM
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