Characters in Death of a Salesman

In the American play, the characters are very vivid and enact American life (at the time) very well. The ''American Dream'' as it was then is still the same now.

The main character Willy is a perfect example of someone who is strivng for the American Dream. He is a man with conflicting values and a false sense of how to attain the American Dream. Willy, short for William is ignorant, contradictive and impatient to say the least. He is rough and unreasonable, only sees his view on things, which in most cases are negative.

His wife, Linda on the other hand is the complete opposite. The positive charge of energy. She is mild and humbly agrees to everything her husband sats, even when he contradicts himself. She is the calm soothing balm on his scathing wounds when he cannot achieve whatever he wishes or when things do not go as he planned. A proper and supportive wife, but a bit too docile.

Biff, one of Willy's sons is Willy's " champion" whilst Willy is his "idol". Biff is extremely active in sports (especially American Football) and is enthusiastic in pleasing his father and getting his father's praise.

The other son, Happy' is rather the extreme opposite. He too seems to want praise from his father, but apparently does not get much, as all his father's attention is on Biff. Happy seems to contradict his name and ensue a melancholy spirit. He is starving for Willy's attention and no one seems to notice.

The flaws of Lear, detrimental or no?

In the play King Lear, we identify some major flaws in the characters especially the king himself.
King Lear's tragic flaws include his inability to perceive true love from flattery, and letting his passion override his sense of reasoning. In the first Act, where he is dividing his kingdom between his three daughters, he asks each to tell him how much she loves him. He used this method to decide which daughter got what amount of the kingdom. This was foolish because it gave way to lies being told.

The major flaw of Lear, which is enjoying flattery lead to the banishment of two people who loved him dearly: his youngest daughter, Cordelia(who could not express her love in words so remained silent) and his trusted advisor, Kent(who was defending Coredelia). This left Lear (and the kingdom) vulnerably open to any attack, not outwardly, but inwardly-by his two older daughters, Goneril and Regan who were trying to destroy him. They went as far as kicking him out of their homes in the middle of a raging storm.

Cordelia showed her love rather than stating it; and Kent's action spoke louder than words. Lear's realization hit when he saw the wickedness of one daughter(Goneril) being supported by another (Regan), but he still refused to acknowledge Cordelia's unspoken love, until she came to his rescue. This shows that Lear, eventually learned his mistake when it was almost too late for the kingdom, but entirely too late for Cordelia, for he only came to his senses when agonizing over her dead body.

Such flaws in someone so old illustrates the fact that he is unstable and unwise; in no position to run a country. Leaving both the country and the individual himself in a dangerously vulnerable situation.

Similarities and Differences of characters in "King Lear"

In the Shakespearean play of "King Lear" there are many characters which work together and against each other. There are both "flat" and "round" characters. The flat characters are Cordelia, Goneril, Regan, Edmund, Cornwall, Albany. Kent and the fool. The round characters include: Lear, Gloucester, and Edgar, who all change because of the actions of other characters toward them.

The characters King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester have very similar traits. They both are fooled by their offspring due to blindness to deception and their own pride and rage. However, only one is harmed in the play.

Edgar and Cordelia are the loving and beloved children who both get into the "wrong books" of their fathers. However, the way each came about this is different. Cordelia is banished from the kingdom whilst Edgar is deceived by his brother and is pursued by his father.

The sisters Goneril and Regan are both evil, manipulative, power- hungry, self destructive people, who both meet their end as a result of their own folly and greed. Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester also has these same destructive traits. These three characters were all encouraged by the same thing: power and money.

View on clip (Act3:Scene6)

This clip captures the scene vividly and accurately. As usual it clarifies the script and bring life to it, but here it gives the scene a sense of urgency and suspence. The viewer sees a broken spirited Lear, a loyal disguised Kent, an honest and faithful fool of a friend and a refugee-Edgar. This emphasizes the fact that in times of loss and despair and fear, the unequals band together for comfort, support and even protection. In this band is a falling king, a forsaken heir, a disquised banished man and a court jester. Think about it, under different circumstances would these people be found together, under one roof, wanting each other's company?

Indeed a "fool" or "wise man"?

The fool in the Shakespearean play, "King Lear" portrays the fool as a foolish man who speaks wise words/lyrics. Due to the fact that everyone thinks him to be a fool and dull in mind everyone takes advantage of the fact that he has eyes and ears. I say that to say this: no one would ever suspect a fool, or have any regard to his presence because he poses no threat.

He has the opportunity to do as he likes, and speak to the king as he wants without getting a death sentence. He is perhaps the only person who can do so; for as we earlier saw in the opening scenes when Kent tried to reason with the enraged king his reward was banishment from the kingdom.

This fool has a quick and witty mind as seen in the Act:1, Scene:4; where he uses symbols and metaphors to illustrate his meaning. For example, the part where he mentions the king giving away his crown to his two ddaughters and is now left with nothing, he uses an egg to allude to it. He speaks in rhyme and sings tunes with hidden meanings. When reading what he says, the reader has to read between the lines and decipher the true meaning of his words, which usually foreshadows or alludes to something in the plot. He, in a way, is the narrator of the play.

Duke "A" rebukes Duke"C"

There is an impending war between the Duke of Albany and the Duke of Cornwall, which foreshadows a war between the wives of the two men, King Lear's older daughters, which will take place later on in the play. One can conclude this from the choice of words Curan uses, and the manner in which he leaves it to hang in the air before Edmund; hinting that sooner rather than later Edmund will hear of it.

The villain Edmund formulates yet another bit of trickery upon receiving such news that the Duke of Cornwall was to arrive soon at the castle. This meant a higher power would be on his side if he could get through with his plans. He does it to deceive and convince his father and the others that Edgar has truly become "a villain". He deceives his brother forthwith then injuring himself lies and states that Edgar had done it when he could not get his way. Regan adds even more poison to the already toxic matter. By asking if he stays in the company of her father's "riotous knights" implies she believes the hoax and thinks that Edgar was influenced by the knights in her father's company.

Cornwall shows determination to see that justice is brought to where it is required. He obviously the highest ranking of them all, portrays an air of self confidence and prestige, saying little and only when it is necessary.

A fool's wisdom and jest

Upon reading the play, one can conclude that the fool is indeed a wise man impersonating an idiot, or an idiot who is also wise. The fool called upon by King Lear, for probably some cheering up, bashes the king for his own folly and ignorance but in such a way as to make fun and keep the king from understanding what he means. He recites a poem, which is really straight forward, but which the king found was nonsense.

The lyrics of his singing were also confusing to the king. Here he speaks/sings of how the older daughters and their father have seemed to have switched places and they are the parents and him the child. As the fool said: "ever sincethou madest thy daughtersthy mothers: " This can also allude to foreshadowing, symbolism and allusion.
Foreshadowing that something to this measure will occur. Symbolism, indicating the senile age which the king is falling into, and which would lead to his being taken care of by his daughters. Allusion, in that it goes back to when the king's own children were young and needed to be taken care, however it is going to occur in the reverse for the foreshadowing.

The fool seems to take delight in insulting people but coating it to look as though he is only jesting. However,he does make a habit of telling the truth, via the means of frivolity and mockery.

In the movie clip, however, the fool is such a jovial character, yet is an annoyance to everyone. He livens up the drab, disheartening scene with his significant puns and jokes. His sincerity as he drops hints to Lear here and there adds a dramatic effect, making it look as though he himself is trying to tell the king two things under the cover of one. The King even seems to have a certain bit of respect. This fool really plays the part of three people in an English/European court: confidante, advisor and his true role of a fool. He is the character that seems to highlight the whole scene, and maybe in a greater outlook the whole play.

Questions on play, "King Lear"

ACt 1:SCene 1

In the opening speeches of the character King Lear one can infer that he is a pompous man who rather enjoys flattery, one of his many flaws. He can be said to be unstable since he first seems to like the Duke of Albany more than the Duke of Cornwall, and then prefers the latter over the former of the two son-in-laws. Also, he takes important affairs seriously.

2) The king demanded to hear the extent of their love for him, Goneril and Regan did as he requested and overexaggerated their responses by using metaphors and comparisons. This lead to their securing a good portion and a royal position for themselves, and their oily, lying tongue.

3) Yes. Most absolutely. It is obvious King Lear is acting crazy, which occurs because of his rage and blind fury. He will be strolling down the path to complete insanity, if he keeps allowing his rationale to be clouded by every little problem or misunderstanding he comes across. Kent is rightfully justified in saying that the king is mad.This madness is especially driven by passion and a lot of hot air. As seen when King Lear told Kent (at an earlier point) "come not between the dragon and his wrath"; indicating the force of his anger and how mad(crazy) he was becoming. Also, the King speaks as a fool. He knows that his youngest loves him most and he her, yet he lets her lack of speech throw him off- plain out folly; as Kent said, "when majesty stoops to folly". Kent also pointed this mutual love out to the King in a subtle way, but the King being foolish and mad was blind to it.

4) In Kent's last speech Shakespeare used rhyming lines to add expression, and allow them to be remembered easily. It gives a sense that he(KEnt) is leaving, but not really leaving or is leaving to come back. Also it ends the scene effectively and gives a climax for what else the book has in store for the reader. It also symbolizes and even foreshadows what is to come in upcoming scenes.

5) The King of France's little speech of calculated words were meant to work a bit like salve over Cordelia's fresh bitter wounds. He shows a bit of remorse for her having fallen suddenly from the graces of the father who had loved her so affectionately and dearly, and him having to suffer a little for she has no longer a dowry. Although her father now has lost his love for her and deems her unworthy and poor, France deems her worthy, beautiful and rich, making her feel wanted and even secure. "Fairest Cordelia, that thou art most rich, being poor;
Most choice, forsaken; and mostloved, despised!
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon"
The smart(and smooth) but truthful words of the King of France to his soon wife-to-be.

6) The state of affairs at the close of the scene givesthe tone and setting a sense of continuance and foreboding, awaiting the next scene. Questions of "what?" "when?" "how?" "where?" enter the mind of the reader.

(ACt1:Scene2)

7) The sort of excuse that Shakespeare makes Edmund use for the sort of villainyhe is going to pursue is his rightful place as heir since he is the firstborn, so if he is not to get it by birthright, he will receive it by wit. It doesn't matter that he is an illegitimate child, he is human like every legitimate child is and has the same body functions, etc.

8) Edmund strengthen the plot, by appearing to defend his half brother, it makes Edmund look as though he really believes Edgar's honesty and integrity. This causes him to be the last person on the list that anyone would suspect and investigate. He comes out looking innocent, and hurt to have been "deceived" by his brother who he was "protecting".

9) Gloucester, loving both sons is very likely to trust both quite easily, for he has never been wronged by either. Edgar, being so noble is also naïve. He believes that all is right and kind and pure and true in the world and seems blind (or ignorant)to all the evil and wrong. Edmund uses these qualities of both father and half brother to play as dice in his hands. By creating a letter which bears Edgar's signature/name, he, Edmund under all pretense defends the "honourable name" of his brother against his father, then plays the disheartened loyal brother and warns Edgar of his father's possible rage.

Comparison between the movie clip and bookof "King Lear"

The movie clip produces a clearer understanding of what takes place in the plot, by utilizing most of the senses. It illustrates the purpose and/or reasons for characters'actions. In Act1:Scene 1, the proclamation of the love for the father and the distribution of the kingdom is occuring, in the plot. The book, however, appeals to just the sense of sight, (and hearing if read aloud).

In the movie, this act and scene emphasizes how King Lear reacted to each daughter and most notably and importantly, Cordelia. His horror, disbelief and bitter rage are all expressed on his wrinkled face. When compared to the written play the movie ends up being better, more appropriate, in some cases more accurate as it displays the urgency in the character's actions. It also displays the setting and even tone of the play. The script, on the othere hand is vague and does notgive a clear view of the events that taake place; the actions ad expressions of characters are lost on the reading audience.

However, there is a possible disadvantage of the movie clip to the written play. It overlooked a few parts in the script. This occured because the omitted part was insigniificant, or repetitive, or maybe even confusing. It is quite possible that throughout the visual play there will be more omittances, also because to integrate every line may make the movie even longer.

Personal Interpretation on majorcharacters of "King Lear"

The older daughters of King Lear, Goneril and Regan are "suck-ups", to say the least. The eldest Goneril flatters her father with the physical aspects of his appearance and of his "wonderful" personality:
"Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what could be values, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
As much as child e'er loved, or father found...".
Whilst Regan states that although Goneril had already said all she was going to say (since she is the "same self-metal" as her sister) she could still add more, and so she says:
"Only she comes too short: that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys,
Which the most precious square of sense possesses;
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love."
She says this with extreme exaggeration as though she is competing with her older sister. On the other hand, Cordelia, who appears to be truthful, and soft-hearted, is the youngest and admits her love for her father by stating it as though she was obliged to do so. Also, she states that her elder sisters already said all that could be said. However, she had believed that her love for him alone would speak for itself andshe would not have to say anything:
"...I am sure, my love's
More richer than my tongue."
King Lear is at first surprised and so becomes lenient or her to elaborate and embellish her answer, she, however does not do so in the way he expected. The king then becomes furious because Cordelia is his favourite daughter and she has disappointed him. He basically expected more or better.

Clear Light Of Day

Clear Light of Day, was written by Indian novelist Anita Desai. Desai was born in Mussoorie, India in 1937. She is formerly known as Anita Mazumdar. Daughter of a Bengali businessman and German mother she started to write in English at age seven and had her first story published at age nine. She was educated in Delhi at Queen Mary's Higher Secondary School and Miranda House, Delhi University. Here she received a B. A. in English Literature in 1957. In the year following she was married to Ashvin Desai and had four children.

Desai made her debut as novelist with The Peacock in 1963. It was published in Britain.
In a recent interview, Desai gives out advice to young writers: "...warn them that it is not easy and one has to face great difficulties, and be very persistent and be very stubborn about it if you really want to do it. I would advise a young writer to write short pieces, try your hand at it. And if you are confident that you do have a knack for writing and it gives you great joy and delight then think about writing longer pieces".

In India where Desai calls home, there are the presence of many partitions. The two major ones (the sovereign states) being India and Pakistan, divided basically by their religions, Hindu and Muslim, respectively. This partition was created in1947, by British India. In its aftermath, various conflicts arised which led to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. These two self-governing countries received independence from Britain "at the stroke of midnight" of 15 August, 1947. British Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten of Burma attended Pakistan's ceremony at Karachi and then India's in Delhi. So Pakistan celebrates independence on the 14th, whilst India celebrates on the 15th of the month.

Muslims are believers of the Islam religion. Whilst Hindus beleive in the religious, cultural and philosophical systems that is indigenous to the Indian community.

The women in Indian society had traditional roles which included the menial tasks of cleanng temples and their private households, working in the field with the men and helping them, raising the children, and serving and supporting their husbands. In the novel, Clear Light of Day, in the 7th page, one of the male characters, Bakul (husband to Tara), waits to be served by one of the women, rather than pour out his tea for himself. Also, later on in the chapter, Tara is found laying out his clothes for him to wear and becoming submissive to his wishes whether she liked them or not. Aside from the men having the final say in these communities, the women were the ones who "wore the pants".

Mahatma Gandhi, also known as "Father of the Nation" was born in India on October 2, 1869. He died on January 30, 1948. The cause of his deah was assassination. He was assassinated at Birla House, in the evening, when he went to conduct a meeting. It is said he was killed by radical Hindus who believed that he was the cause for the "unnecessary" Partition in their country. A young Hindu Godse did the dirty deed.