Essay about King Lear and Madness in the Renaissance

King Lear and Madness in the Renaissance It has been demonstrated that Shakespeares portrayal of madness parallels Brights A Treatise of Melancholie (Wilson 309-20), yet, the medical model alone is insufficient to describe the madness of Shakespeare’ s King Lear. Shakespeare was not limited to a single book in his understanding of madness; he had at his disposal the sum total of his societys understanding of the issue. Since Lears madness is derived from a mixture of sources, it can only be effectively described in this larger context. Because much of Renaissance medical theory was based on premises from the Middle Ages, a starting point for our understanding of Lears madness can be found in the 1535†¦show more content†¦(1.2.294-298) In Bartholomeus model madness caused by an excess of choler is called the frenesie. Its signs are woodnes and contynual wakynge, mevynge and castynge aboute the eyen, ragynge... (3). It is caused by the red choler made lyght with heate of it self... ravysshyd upwarde by veynes, synewes, wosen and pypes (2). The cure involves bleeding the patient, shaving his head and applying vinegar and ointment to the head. However it also recommends creating a calm environment for the patient, feeding him a sparse simple diet, and above all things... men shall labour to bringe hym a slepe (3-4). Kent seems to be aware of this most important part of the cure, and through him we realize that Lears madness may have been shortlived had he been able to rest before fleeing to Dover: Oppressed nature sleeps. This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews, Which, if convenience will not allow, Stand in hard cure. (3.6.94-98) However, not all contemporary models of madness relied solely on humours. Timothy Brights model simplifies Bartholomeus categorization of madness by calling all madness melancholy, but diversifies it by distinguishing two separate types ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Lears Character in William Shakespeares Play1216 Words   |  5 Pages The view of Lear being bent on his own destruction from the beginning of the play is an acceptable claim. The way he begins in the play, dividing up his country for his daughters, in essence, this spelt disaster. Unlike other renaissance dramatists, who used ‘mad scenes’ for comic use, Shakespeare seems intent on displaying madness in a more sinister portrayal. In favour of the claim, much can be said.Read MoreThe Mind of the Mad: Analysis of Hamlet1552 Words   |  7 Pagesit to be mad? Is it related to something of biological background? Or is it to do with the complex breakdown of one’s emotions? Or is it both? 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