《李尔王》英文读书报告Reflections on King Lear.docx

李尔王英文读书报告Reflections on King LearReflections on King Lear After reading this bookKing Lear, it seems that I have seen an impressing movie in which I hold my breath lest I miss one scene. No fierce fight, but the plot has haunted in my mind so far. With two main stories involvedone about King Lear and his daughters, the other concerning Earl of Gloucester and his two sons, this great tragedy not only exerts a strong effect on me, but also motivates the readers to conceive its underlying connotation. Id like to explain my thoughts in the following two parts. I will give priority to language. The play, King Lear, definitely proves the saying that language has its own power. What the characters say reflects their inner world, together with their standpoint, and thus present a vivid scene in my mind. From what the characters say, I am able to be furious as King Lear to be when he is abandoned by his two daughters. I can even experience the huge regret and anxiety when Gloucester knows that he is beguiled by his bastard son Edmund to kill his biological son Edgar. Moreover, different language, more accurately, different words represent distinct characters. Therefore, the various portrayals are authorized to have their own lives. They are tridimensional rather than rigid. So, I almost integrate myself into the play, I cry when they weep, I am gloomy when they are filled with sorrow. When Goneril asked King Lear to reduce his knights and banished him who gives her one third of his kingdom where she possessed, King Lear said desperately: “Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend To make this creature fruitful! 1 Into her womb convey sterility! Dry up in her the organs of increase, And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honour her! If she must teem, Create her child of spleen, that it may live And be a thwart disnatur d torment to her!” Such words are full of antipathy, such a malicious curse that no loving father shall say to his daughter. From his words the readers are informed that the Kings heart breaks into pieces. Apart from those elaborate sentences to show the characters complex psychological activities, those sentences described the surroundings also become the highlight of the tragedy. No matter using those sentences to create a depressing atmosphere, or to liken the natural storm to the characters inner world, especially King Lears psychological fluctuation, those sentences have the magic to magnetize the readers. For instance, a short part to describe the atrocious weather is also a mirror reflecting King Lears miserable inner world: “Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, Or swell the curled water bove the main, That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, Catch in their fury, and make nothing of ” Next, Id like to analyze some characters according to my understanding. There is no doubt that King Lear was a tragic figure. He convinced those wicked hearts 2 under the cloak of sweet words. Therefore, he expelled his beloved daughterCordelia and his loyal earlKent. Maybe that was the beginning of the tragedy: evils laughed because they got what they dreamt of, however, the kinds were being calumniated. If he had realized what blunder he had made, such a tragedy would be avoided. But, until his two daughters refused to take care of him did he know that he is cheated. He was addicted in the exalting words instead of judging by fact and his own wisdom. Reflecting on King Lear, I remember a philosophical truth, that is: The essence is always hiding behind the phenomenon. Through King Lears tragedy, the significant perception I get is: Do not bewitched by those attractive phenomena, judge everything by your own awareness, fairness and righteousness. Those who love you and support you never change their minds as time goes by. So, what you cannot judge or resolve immediately, just leave it to the time. Touched by Kent and Edgar, I can understand humanism which Shakespeare extolled in the period of the English Renaissance. It was evident that Kent and Edgar were innocent, they were misunderstood and calumniated. Although they were in such agonizing situation, their loyalty and love never changed. Kent disguised as a servant to accompany King Lear without complain and dissatisfaction. Edgar pretended to be insane in order to survive. When he came across his father Gloucester whose eyes were put out, he didnt lose temper to blame him, instead, he comforted his father, supported him and helped him to survive. What he did ascribe to his enduring love to his father. On the one hand, Shakespeare criticizes foolishness and ignorance. On the other hand, he reveals the kind and benevolent side of human beings. To some extent, Kent, Edgar and Cordelia stand for moral achievement which Shakespeare calls on in that society. Cordelia said: 3 “O dear father! It is thy business that I go about No blown ambition doth our arms incite, But love, dear love, and our ag d fathers right.” What she says is the value of humanism: respecting people and pursuing happiness. As Kent says, “To be acknowledg d , is o erpaid.” To Kent, if his loyalty could be understood, thats his comfort and happiness. Similarly, Cordelias happiness lies in loving her father forever. Usually, people learn more from failure than success. Though the background of the play doesnt apply to the modern world, the play is a sort of treasure waiting for people to read and take it into deep consideration. Like Francis Bacon says, “History makes men wise.” Besides experiencing by yourself, reading , reflecting ,together with summarizing provide you with unique and undistorted thoughts towards the world and people. 4