Edward Bond's Lear: A Political Parable on the Three Types of Modern Totalitarian Regimes and the Possibility of a New Revolution

Abstract

This paper aims to prove that Edward Bond's Lear is a political parable on the three types of modem totalitarian regimes and the possibility of a new revolution which sublates them. The criticism on the play has been concentrated mainly either on the comparative study of Shakespeare's original and Bond's adaptation or on the complicated process of Lear's self-knowledge. For the overall discussion of the play, not only the major characters representing the three types of modem totalitarian regimes but the minor characters contributing to the maintenance of the regimes win be included. Lear's regime is the dramatic metaphor of Nazism. His coercion of the labor of his people is shown by the fact that Lear compels his people to work to build the wall. And his prejudiced ethnic nationalism is revealed by Lear's remark on the deep hatred against two leaders of his enemy states and his determined opposition to his daughters' marriage to them. By the way, Bodice's regime is the dramatic metaphor of a broad sense of Fascism. Her terror-based dictatorship is shown when she torments Warrington and plans to murder her husband. Bodice's regime is formed in a corrupt capitalist society because Bodice does not force her people to work on the wall any more and bribes a major and a judge to achieve her morbid goal. On the other hand, Cordelia's regime is the dramatic metaphor of Stalinism. Bond remarks that Cordelia, a priest's daughter, corresponds to Stalin, a seminarist. Her atrocious dictatorship is demonstrated by continually shooting the political prisoners. Her coercion of the labor of her people to rebuild the wall is another characteristic of Stalinism. The new revolution started by Lear is preceded by his physical suffering and taking the responsibility for his mistakes and misjudgments. His self-knowledge enables him to act for the demolition of the wall. And Lear's disciples, Thomas and Susan, show their capability as revolutionary leaders. Though the play is open-ended, the new revolution is likely to be completed by their excellent leadership and the wholehearted support of the people. In conclusion, Edward Bond's Lear can be viewed in terms of a political parable by revealing the possibility of a new revolution which sublates the three totalitarian regimes. However, one limit of the play is that Bond's opinion on the desirable form of modem society is rather idealistic as indicated in Author's Preface. Another limit is that the audiences find it difficult to understand the clear meaning of the play as parables within a parable and, thereby, to practice for the solution of the political problems metaphorically posed in the play.