Individuality in King Lear and Rear Window
Both comparative texts 'King Lear' by Shakespeare and 'Rear Window' by Hitchcock deal with the idea of individualism. Similarly, they provide us with characters who refuse to conform to society's wishes, displaying individuality. 'King Lear''s Cordelia and Lear characters both display a stubbornness and refusal to conform. Lisa from 'Rear Window' displays similar traits. Individuality is also emphasised in both pieces through disability, mental illness in 'King Lear' and physical disability in 'Rear Window'. And finally, the two pieces 'King Lear' and 'Rear Window' utilise asides to create psychologically real characters, rather than stock characters. This creates individual characters with defining personalities.
In 'King Lear', we clearly see individuality through characters who refuse to conform to society's wishes. Cordelia is the most apparent examples for this text, in the opening scene, Cordelia refuses to describe how much she loves her father, when he asks ''Which of you shall we say doth love us most?'' Cordelia's opinion contrasts with Lear's, believing the commodification of love to be shallow and insincere. This refusal to conform proves Cordelia to be an individual, but leads to her banishment. The fact that this clear portrayal of individuality occurs in the opening scene emphasises this theme's impertinence. Another King Lear character who displays individuality would be Lear himself. Lear's individuality is more stubborn and self-centred, while Cordelia's is more moral and sincere. Lear reacts very negatively to any disagreement to his personal views, notably his views on love in the opening scene. However, making a king out to be stubborn is unexpected and very notable, again, emphasising the importance of this theme in the play. We also see this to display individuality in 'Rear Window.'
Similarly, 'Rear Window' displays individuality through the character of Lisa. Lisa refuses to conform entirely to Jeff's views of how a woman should be, however, Lisa contrasts with the aforementioned characters as she avoids major conflict while displaying her individuality. Lisa does choose less glamorous clothing to appease Jeff, but maintains her interest in fashion through her reading of a fashion magazine while Jeff sleeps in the closing scene. Dis-similarly, Lisa clearly holds the view of ''ignorance is bliss'' and doesn't make her individuality as blatant as the characters in King Lear. However, the texts are identical in that they both use characters to display individuality through refusal to conform.
'King Lear' uses the form of disability of mental illness to emphasise individuality in the play. Lear displays a degenerative form of insanity throughout the play, gradually becoming more and more mentally unstable. We first see this in his rash response to Cordelia's individuality in the opening scene. This insanity is strongest in during the scene which takes place during a storm, symbolising the chaos in Lear's mind. There are also repeated uses of "mad" and "madness" throughout the play. As a disability, mental illness differentiates Lear from other characters and proves him to be an individual. This is mirrored in the text 'Rear Window'.
We also see disability to emphasise individuality in the text 'Rear Window.'' The film's primary character is Jeff, a man confined to a wheelchair due to a broken leg. This temporary disability limits his behaviour compared to those around him, differentiating him from the other more able-bodies characters, making him an individual. The character of Mrs. Thorwald is another physically confined character in the piece, the nuisance she apparently creates due to her illness costs her her life. However, the form of disability contrasts with that of 'King Lear', as 'Rear Window' emphasises physical disability to display individuality, rather than mental illness.
There is a heavy use of asides in 'King Lear.' Asides create a more psychologically real and genuine character as we get to understand their true feelings and thoughts, differentiating them from others and emphasising individuality. A notable aside very early on in the play is one said by Cordelia in Act 1: Scene 1. In this aside, Cordelia states "I am sure my love's moe ponderous than my tongue." We understand Cordelia's reasoning for defying her father, making her a more layered and individual character. Edgar is another character who frequently engages in asides. While Edgar's asides clarify why he is in disguise, they also add a depth to his character, making him more of an individual. This technique is also used to emphasis individuality in 'Rear Window.'
Asides can also be seen in 'Rear Window.' Jeff frequently comments on the behaviour of Mr. Thorwald, voicing his concerns, while also making him more psychologically real, and, therefore, more of an individual. However, 'Rear Window' contrasts with 'King Lear' in that their asides are much less lengthy and frequent, but are, nevertheless, present in this text.
In conclusion, individuality is a very key theme to both 'King Lear' and 'Rear Window.' Both of these texts utilise similar means to display individualism. The two pieces present us with character who refuses to conform, namely Cordelia and Lear in 'King Lear' and Lisa in 'Rear Window," however, Lisa's avoidance of conflict in exercising individuality contrasts with Lear and Cordelia. Both texts also use disability to emphasise the idea of individuality, 'King Lear' using mental illness and 'Rear Window' physical. Lastly, asides are readily used by 'King Lear' and 'Rear Window' to create more psychologically real and, therefore, more individual characters.
In 'King Lear', we clearly see individuality through characters who refuse to conform to society's wishes. Cordelia is the most apparent examples for this text, in the opening scene, Cordelia refuses to describe how much she loves her father, when he asks ''Which of you shall we say doth love us most?'' Cordelia's opinion contrasts with Lear's, believing the commodification of love to be shallow and insincere. This refusal to conform proves Cordelia to be an individual, but leads to her banishment. The fact that this clear portrayal of individuality occurs in the opening scene emphasises this theme's impertinence. Another King Lear character who displays individuality would be Lear himself. Lear's individuality is more stubborn and self-centred, while Cordelia's is more moral and sincere. Lear reacts very negatively to any disagreement to his personal views, notably his views on love in the opening scene. However, making a king out to be stubborn is unexpected and very notable, again, emphasising the importance of this theme in the play. We also see this to display individuality in 'Rear Window.'
Similarly, 'Rear Window' displays individuality through the character of Lisa. Lisa refuses to conform entirely to Jeff's views of how a woman should be, however, Lisa contrasts with the aforementioned characters as she avoids major conflict while displaying her individuality. Lisa does choose less glamorous clothing to appease Jeff, but maintains her interest in fashion through her reading of a fashion magazine while Jeff sleeps in the closing scene. Dis-similarly, Lisa clearly holds the view of ''ignorance is bliss'' and doesn't make her individuality as blatant as the characters in King Lear. However, the texts are identical in that they both use characters to display individuality through refusal to conform.
'King Lear' uses the form of disability of mental illness to emphasise individuality in the play. Lear displays a degenerative form of insanity throughout the play, gradually becoming more and more mentally unstable. We first see this in his rash response to Cordelia's individuality in the opening scene. This insanity is strongest in during the scene which takes place during a storm, symbolising the chaos in Lear's mind. There are also repeated uses of "mad" and "madness" throughout the play. As a disability, mental illness differentiates Lear from other characters and proves him to be an individual. This is mirrored in the text 'Rear Window'.
We also see disability to emphasise individuality in the text 'Rear Window.'' The film's primary character is Jeff, a man confined to a wheelchair due to a broken leg. This temporary disability limits his behaviour compared to those around him, differentiating him from the other more able-bodies characters, making him an individual. The character of Mrs. Thorwald is another physically confined character in the piece, the nuisance she apparently creates due to her illness costs her her life. However, the form of disability contrasts with that of 'King Lear', as 'Rear Window' emphasises physical disability to display individuality, rather than mental illness.
There is a heavy use of asides in 'King Lear.' Asides create a more psychologically real and genuine character as we get to understand their true feelings and thoughts, differentiating them from others and emphasising individuality. A notable aside very early on in the play is one said by Cordelia in Act 1: Scene 1. In this aside, Cordelia states "I am sure my love's moe ponderous than my tongue." We understand Cordelia's reasoning for defying her father, making her a more layered and individual character. Edgar is another character who frequently engages in asides. While Edgar's asides clarify why he is in disguise, they also add a depth to his character, making him more of an individual. This technique is also used to emphasis individuality in 'Rear Window.'
Asides can also be seen in 'Rear Window.' Jeff frequently comments on the behaviour of Mr. Thorwald, voicing his concerns, while also making him more psychologically real, and, therefore, more of an individual. However, 'Rear Window' contrasts with 'King Lear' in that their asides are much less lengthy and frequent, but are, nevertheless, present in this text.
In conclusion, individuality is a very key theme to both 'King Lear' and 'Rear Window.' Both of these texts utilise similar means to display individualism. The two pieces present us with character who refuses to conform, namely Cordelia and Lear in 'King Lear' and Lisa in 'Rear Window," however, Lisa's avoidance of conflict in exercising individuality contrasts with Lear and Cordelia. Both texts also use disability to emphasise the idea of individuality, 'King Lear' using mental illness and 'Rear Window' physical. Lastly, asides are readily used by 'King Lear' and 'Rear Window' to create more psychologically real and, therefore, more individual characters.
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