Throughout this shortened week we got back from break and settled back into our Shakespearen drama inquiry groups. We also looked at two different poems regarding the idea of spring; one idea supporting spring, the other turning the idea of spring upside down. What helped me grow intellectually the most this week was sitting down and having a conversation with Doctor McDermott. I am in a group of three with Melissa and Marybeth and our crictical theory lens is Marxism. Prior to break, my group and I were a bit worried about our critisim because we are strictley studying the politics of King Lear. Dr. McDermott reasured us by giving us examples of specific scenes like King Lear in the storm and sugguested outside sources.
My group actually never thought of the scene of Lear in the storm because when we watched the play there was a lot of chaos occuring. However, we realized that scene is arguadbly the most pivotal moment for the marxist criticism. Lear realizes what he has done. He realizes that the system of monarcy that has always pampered him, is broken. He should have never split up his kingdom and orchestrated his "I love you game" because it ultimately created a huge power vacuum. Yet, his realization is too late. Characters like Edmund are already laying all their cards on the table and risking everything to gain the most power. So, I am really happy that we had the pleasure of having Dr. McDermott here in our class because it accelerated my learning and understanding of Shakespearn plays.
My group actually never thought of the scene of Lear in the storm because when we watched the play there was a lot of chaos occuring. However, we realized that scene is arguadbly the most pivotal moment for the marxist criticism. Lear realizes what he has done. He realizes that the system of monarcy that has always pampered him, is broken. He should have never split up his kingdom and orchestrated his "I love you game" because it ultimately created a huge power vacuum. Yet, his realization is too late. Characters like Edmund are already laying all their cards on the table and risking everything to gain the most power. So, I am really happy that we had the pleasure of having Dr. McDermott here in our class because it accelerated my learning and understanding of Shakespearn plays.