King LearKing Lear.doc

King Lear 1. To understand the changes made in theater companies by James I (May17, 1603) a. Earl of Worcesters Men -- Queen Annes Men b. Lord Admirals Men -- Prince Henrys Men c. Lord Chamberlains Men -- Kings Men 2. To understand the textual and performance history of Lr. a. Probably was written after the 3/16/1603 registration of Samuel Harsnett’s Declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures, used by WS for Tom O’Bedlam’s mad language, esp. his naming of the demons. b. Probably written before 5/13/1606 when Sharpham’s play The Fleer was registered. This play imitates a scene in Lr. c. However, Gloucester refers to “These late eclipses of the sun and moon” (1.2.106). England saw an eclipse of the moon in Sept. 1605 of the sun in Oct. 1605. Is this language added during production? d. Q1 -- March, 1608 (with a note in the Stationers Register, 11/26/07, that it had been performed at court 12/26/1606) 1) called the Pied Bull Quarto because the title page refers to it being sold at Butters shop at the signe of the Pide Bull. 2) a poor text with many passages of verse set as prose and prose set as verse, little punctuation, missing stage directions, and other errors. e. Q2 -- printed in 1619 (although dated 1608) copies Q1 f. F1 -- a better text poetically, cuts about 288 lines but adds about 133, including Lears last two, 5.3.309-310. This is usually the basic copy text for modern editions. 3. To understand the sources of Lr. and how the plot differs (over 40 versions, none portray the King going mad). WS appears to have relied to varying degrees on 3 sources--as follows, a., b., c. a. The Tragecall historie of King Leir , a play written c.1590 ? 1) Textual history a) P. Henslowe noted performances of “King Leare” 4/6 4/8, 1594 b) Registered as “leir” 5/14/1594 c) Published in May 1605, “as . . . lately acted . . .” by the King’s Men 2) Plot of Leir a) King seeks sons-in-law. b) Cordella demurs and is disowned. c) King abdicates and is mistreat