Ran + King Lear
...n to chaos in terms of sound is also evident in the play. Lear begins the play in a very stable position, and has a definite authority over his kingdom. As the play progresses, and Lear descends into madness, battle lines are drawn and all of England is brought to war. Since the theme of chaos is only evident in Lear’s character, the lead character in Ran should also portray an image of mental disorder in order to get the message across. Tatsuya Nakadai, who plays Lord Hidetora, demonstrates the degeneration into insanity (stemming from and accompanied by chaotic experiences) with total precision. The beginning of the films sees Hidetora as a very proud and confident man, who stands with a rigid and regal stature. The same can be seen in King Lear, as Lear’s authority and confidence are evident in the opening of the play. The King tells Kent, “Come not between a dragon and his wrath” (Act 1 sc 1 L124), thus proclaiming his control and authority over his court. However, the lives of both Hidetora and Lear are thrown into chaos when their children turn against them. Hidetora suffers his breaking point when his two eldest sons attempt to usurp all power from their father in battle. Hidetora realizes his children have turned on him, and disorder takes over. Hidetora begins to wander the countryside with a look of sheer astonishment on his face every step of the way. Also, Hidetora’s posture becomes more and more hunched as the film progresses. Nakadai portrays a man whose life is spiraling out of control, and things like one’s own physical appearance no longer hold any meaning. Hidetora’s speech also becomes more and more incoherent as the disarray in his life takes over. Lear’s behaviour also becomes more erratic as the play progresses. After being thrust out of Regan’s care, he begins to aimlessly wander the countryside as the storm begins to rage. Finally, Kurosawa uses light to magnify the element of chaos in the film. Since the vast majority of the film takes place outdoors, sunlight is the only real source of light. Kurosawa uses shade to show the fact that there is disorder onscreen in several instances. The battle that Taro and Jiro wage against their father takes place on a cloudy day, as does the final advance by Ayabe on Jiro and Kaede’s castle. Also, when Jiro’s army and Saburo’s forces first confront one another, a foreboding shadow casts itself over the battlefield. Finally, when Kyoami loses track of Hidetora thanks to the appearance of Suč, the old King races across a plain that blankets with shade as the madman crosses it. Kurosawa uses shade to show that the authority and order of the natural world is giving way to a period of disorder an...