King Lear In what ways is Act 3 Scene 7 pivotal
Act 3 Scene 7 is pivotal in many ways. The scene changes the plot, themes and develops characters. The scene begins with a conversation between Cornwall, his wife Regan and her sister Gonerill. They plan to punish Gloucester for helping Lear escape. ... The plucking of Gloucester’s eyes later on in the scene will bring the image and theme of blindness to the foreground. ... 24) That is to say, we can not hang him without a proper trial therefore bringing the theme of justice into the scene. So far there has been no justice in the play; Lear banishing his daughter Cordelia, and then Gonerill and Regan treating their father appallingly after he has given them the land, the banishment of Kent for speaking the truth and Edmond deceiving his father and brother. After this scene things change, the guilty parties will be reprimanded for their involvement in any foul play. ... 60) Gloucester compares the storm to hell and that the rain will put any cosmological ‘fires’ (Lear’s decisions to split up his kingdom) which go against the natural order of things therefore after the storm the kingdom should start being restored. ... Cornwall then proceeds to pluck out one of Gloucester’s eyes so that he can not see Lear’s enemies receive their just rewards. ... There is very little stage direction in Shakespeare’s plays, but this scene was meant to be seen by the people watching and make them uncomfortable. ... This is pivotal because it shows the social reversal and chaos after Lear has given away his kingdom. ... Shakespeare uses Lear’s bad judgement to show not just how it affects his family but also the kingdom as a whole. ... In this scene there is much disorder. ... It has gotten so bad that from this scene onwards it can’t get any worse so things can only get better from here on in.