The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 20.0334  Wednesday, 24 June 2009

From:       Alex Went <
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Date:       Monday, 22 Jun 2009 20:22:35 +0200
Subject: 20.0327 King Lear Journal Advice?
Comment:    Re: SHK 20.0327 King Lear Journal Advice?

The 'dear cause' is Kent's service to the King and the role he knows he 
is destined to play in the reconciliation of Lear and Cordelia in 4.7, 
which he cannot announce yet for dramatic reasons as well as those of 
his own safety. The use of 'dear' (puns on costly/kindly) picks up 
Lear's line upon banishing his daughter "When she was dear to us, we did 
hold her so | But now her price is fallen" (1.1), and which is repeated 
at the magical moment of that reconciliation by Kent 'Kind and dear 
princess'. The pun on 'carus' is familiar in Christian literature, where 
Christ's death is an act of charity (caritas)  and redemption -- buying 
back our souls. The 'resurrection' scene which takes place at 4.7 places 
Kent in the all-important role of witness to a scene of equivalent power.

Alex Went

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