Summary:
Discusses the William Shakespeare play, 'King Lear.' Explores how the universal nature of Lear's themes allow it to be appreciated in new contexts. Argues that since the themes are universal, the contexts of each production of the play change the interpretation and representation of the play's themes.
Themes provide a basis by which a play is composed, and it is the absolute universality of the themes of King Lear, that enables audiences since its first production up until to day, to truly value its meaning. The universal theme of love has conquered in the majority of productions, be it not only the ability to love, the human need to love (Nahum Tate), but also as Peter Brooks (1962) has shown, the lack of love in humanity, and the presence of conditional love. From this theme of love, expand ideas and conflicts on the nature of love, conditional or unconditional and the constant presence of chaos and destruction of order. The interpretations of these themes, to their relative contexts, are what allows these themes and the play itself, to be valued by such a.....
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