DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENT

COVER SHEET

SEMESTER- II

NAME OF THE STUDENT : GITANJALI

SEMESTER : 2nd SECTION : II

CLASS ROLL NO. : ENGMA-23/134 EXAM ROLL NO. : 23203708064

COURSE : Department of English, University of Delhi

PAPER CODE : 120351201

PAPER NAME : 16TH AND 17TH CENTURY DRAMA

TITLE OF THE PAPER : Storm scene in King Lear

DATE OF SUBMISSION : April 20th, 2024

DECLARATION : I certify that this is my own unaided work, and does not contain
unreferenced material copied from other sources. I understand that plagiarism is a serious
offence and may result in a drastic reduction of marks awarded for the term paper. This
assignment has not been submitted, or any part of it, in connection with any other assessment.

FULL NAME : GITANJALI

SIGNATURE :
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Gitanjali

ENG: 16th and 17th Century Drama

ENGMA- 134

April 20th, 2024

Storm scene in King Lear.

William Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece, “King Lear,” is a profound exploration of

human nature, power dynamics, and the complexities of familial relationships. Set in a world

of political intrigue and personal turmoil, the play follows the downfall of its titular character,

King Lear, as he navigates a treacherous landscape of betrayal, madness, and redemption.

Shakespeare’s deft use of natural elements, particularly storms, is a recurring motif across his

works, including “Macbeth” and “The Tempest.” This highlights the pivotal role that Nature,

especially storms, plays in Shakespearean dramas.1

Among the most memorable and thematically rich moments in the play is the storm scene in

Act 3, Scene 2. In this pivotal scene, Lear finds himself cast into the midst of a raging tempest

on a desolate heath, accompanied only by his loyal Fool. The storm scene serves as a powerful

metaphor for Lear’s inner turmoil and descent into madness, while also highlighting broader

themes of power, authority, and the human condition.

Lear, in a moment of disillusionment and anger, leaves Regan's palace without any opposition

from Regan or Goneril, which further fuels his frustration. He voices his feelings of betrayal

by stating, "I am a man who has been wronged more than I have wronged." As the natural

environment shifts from joy to sorrow, Lear perceives the violent storm as less savage than the

1
https://24study.blogspot.com/2016/07/significance-of-storm-scene-in-king-lear.html
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betrayal he has endured. He articulates his disgust and disillusionment, suggesting that when

faced with a greater affliction, the impact of lesser troubles is hardly noticed.

In Act 3, Scene 2 of "King Lear," the storm unleashes Lear's inner turmoil, stripping away his

facade of kingship and exposing his vulnerability. The storm serves as a metaphor for Lear's

mental state, mirroring the chaos and confusion in his mind. As Lear rages against the elements,

his descent into madness becomes palpable, reflecting the consequences of his earlier actions

and the fragility of his sanity.

Shakespeare's use of vivid imagery and powerful language in the storm scene underscores the

intensity of Lear's emotional turmoil. For instance, Lear's poignant cry, "Blow, winds, and crack

your cheeks! Rage! Blow!"2 encapsulates the raw intensity of the storm and Lear's inner

turmoil. These impassioned pleas reveal Lear’s defiance in the face of his own suffering, as he

confronts the elements with a mixture of anger, despair and resignation. The storm scene serves

as a powerful symbol of Lear's emotional and mental breakdown, revealing the depths of his

despair and the dire repercussions of his impulsive and ill- considered choices.

The interactions between Lear and the Fool during the storm scene offer profound insights into

Lear’s character and the themes of power and authority, revealing the complexities of his

relationships and the consequences of his actions. Despite his diminished status, Lear's

interactions with the Fool highlight the shifting dynamics of loyalty and betrayal. The Fool's

cryptic remarks and observations serve as a stark contrast to Lear's once absolute authority,

emphasizing the fragility of power and the inevitability of downfall. Their dialogue highlights

the fragility of power and the folly of human ambition, adding depth and complexity to the

scene’s thematic exploration.

2
Shakespeare, William. King Lear. Edited by R.A Foakes, Penguin, Classics, 2014.
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The Fool's role in the storm scene is multifaceted, serving as a confidant, a source of comfort,

and a reminder of the consequences of Lear's actions. The Fool's cryptic remarks and playful

banter provide a stark contrast to the chaos and turmoil of the storm, underscoring the absurdity

of Lear's situation. The Fool's presence in the storm scene serves as a poignant reminder of the

fleeting nature of power and the importance of loyalty and trust in the face of adversity.

As the storm reaches its climax, Lear's inner turmoil reaches a crescendo. He grapples with

feelings of guilt, regret, and betrayal, confronting the consequences of his own actions and the

unravelling of his identity as a king and patriarch. The storm becomes a crucible in which Lear's

sanity is tested, forcing him to confront his own mortality and the harsh realities of the world

around him.

By the end of the scene, Lear is left battered and broken, yet strangely liberated. The storm has

stripped away the illusions of power and authority that once defined him, leaving behind a man

humbled by his own mortality and the fragility of human existence. In this moment of

vulnerability, Lear begins to glimpse the possibility of redemption, setting the stage for the

transformative journey that lies ahead.

The storm in "King Lear" serves as more than just a natural phenomenon; it acts as a powerful

symbol that embodies and reflects the play’s themes and character development. The storm

represents the chaos and turmoil that result from the characters' actions and the consequences

of unchecked power. The storm's intensity mirrors the emotional and psychological turmoil

experienced by the characters, particularly Lear, as they grapple with the consequences of their

decisions.

The storm scene also serves as a metaphor for the political and social upheaval that occurs in

the play. The storm’s violent and unpredictable nature mirrors the political and social chaos
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that engulfs the kingdom of Britain. Just as the storm disrupts the natural order of the world,

the actions of Lear and his daughters disrupt the political and social order, leading to instability

and turmoil. The storm's destructive force parallels the political and social chaos that engulfs

the kingdom, highlighting the fragility of the social order and the consequences of disregarding

the bonds of loyalty and trust.

The storm scene in "King Lear” serves as a pivotal moment that encapsulates the play’s central

themes and character dynamics. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and symbolic

resonance, Shakespeare masterfully conveys Lear's inner turmoil, the fragility of power and

authority, and the consequences of betrayal and unchecked ambition. The storm serves as a

metaphor for the characters' emotional and psychological turmoil, highlighting the universal

themes of madness, redemption, and the human condition. As Lear confronts the chaos of the

tempest, he undergoes a profound transformation, ultimately leading to a journey of self-

discovery and redemption. Thus, the storm scene stands as a timeless symbol of the human

experience, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and reaffirming its enduring relevance

within the tapestry of "King Lear."

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. Edited by R.A Foakes, Penguin, Classics, 2014.

2. Braden, Gordon. “The Fool’s Madness: Shakespeare’s King Lear and the Limits of

Reason.” The Journal of English and Germanic Philology, 1993.

3. https://24study.blogspot.com/2016/07/significance-of-storm-scene-in-king-lear.html