Lear's Self-Discovery

Lear's Self-Discovery explores the profound theme of self-awareness in Shakespeare’s King Lear, emphasizing its intellectual and dramatic significance. The book investigates how Shakespeare crafted one of literature's greatest dramas of self-discovery, where Lear's journey of self-awareness is both a personal and universal exploration of identity. The author challenges prevailing critical stereotypes about Lear’s self-knowledge, proposing that his transformation involves more than merely acknowledging his mistakes. By examining the Renaissance concept of nosce teipsum (know thyself) alongside the play's intricate narrative, the study illuminates how Shakespeare transcended his era's understanding of identity and introspection to create a timeless portrayal of human vulnerability and growth. Grounded in detailed textual analysis and historical context, the book considers diverse critical perspectives, from Aristotelian tragedy to Christian allegory, to uncover the layers of Lear’s self-recognition. It highlights the dynamic interplay of Lear's inner journey and the dramatic structure, particularly through pivotal scenes of anagnorisis and peripeteia. Ultimately, the study argues that King Lear compels audiences to confront fundamental questions of identity, error, and redemption, making it not only a masterpiece of tragedy but also a profound meditation on the human condition. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1967.