Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ Remains Relevant No Matter What the Age

Patrick Regan

Despite current political and social turbulence, it is important to remember that many writers who equally understood the uncertainty of their own time produced great works of dramatic literature. The A Noise Within Theater Company in Pasadena is performing a short run of William Shakespeare’s relevant tragedy, “King Lear.” The story of Lear, the fictional king of England, seeks to retire from ruling. Rather than pass his entire land on to his heir, he parcels it out amongst his daughters Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The size of each daughter’s parcel is left to be determined by the amount of affection each can publicly lavish upon him.

Lear’s youngest daughter, Cordelia, believes that this as an unhealthy way to handle running a country. Unlike her sisters, Cordelia loves her father too much to be willing to take part in such games and is cast out for her troubles. As the country falls into chaos and war, Lear falls deeper into madness. “King Lear” is as much of a family drama as it is a political tragedy, raising understandable questions regarding power, war, sibling rivalry, the nature of dementia and various family obligations.

Obviously in Shakespeare’s time, medicine and mental health was poorly understood. Most mental issues were thought to stem from an inbalance in what was referred to as bodily humors. In King Lear, Shakespeare approaches the subject that was once considered by many at the time to be choleric humor. While modern medical science has long since disproved the once popular notion, many still view Lear as a potential study in elderly dementia and its destructive effect on the lives of others.

Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and costume designer Angela Balogh Calin have modernized this new production of Lear by setting the play during the dangerous period between World War I and World War II. For their interpretation, the wild-haired and bearded Lear trades in his robes for a military uniform, proving that while things appear fine on the outside, the kingdom is slowly rotting from within.

“King Lear” will be performed at A Noise Within Theater Company Feb. 12 – May 6.