Modern interpretation of King Lear: Family drama

The fact that many of Shakespeare’s scripts lacked formal character direction or advice on dressing allows for different interpretations to be performed without the violation of the original dialogue. This has made it possible to create a contemporary production of King Lear which a modern audience of all ages can relate to.
During the Elizabethan age and until recently, the family hierarchy composed of the male authority figure or head of the family, the housewife and the children, who were expected to be chaste, silent, and obedient. Today however, we see the breakdown of the traditional family, and the changing roles which family members play to compensate for this. Shakespeare addresses these issues throughout the play, and this is the reason that this production will portray King Lear as a family drama, not simply a royal tragedy.

The characters of Gonerill and Regan reflect the rights which children have (by law) in today’s western world, and the increasing freedom they ...