Bring out the significance of the storm scene in King Lear.

Answer

 Bring out the significance of the storm scene in King Lear.

or Describe the storm scene in King Lear.

The storm scene in Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) play “King Lear,” written between 1605-06,  is the most dramatic and climactic scene. It takes place in Act III, Scene 2. It is set on a heath during a thunderstorm.

King Lear is banished by his evil daughters, Goneril and Regan, and reduced from King to a wandering man without shelter on a stormy night. The king is on the brink of losing his sanity. The storm echoes Lear’s inner turmoil and mounting madness.

Symbol of Lear’s Inner Turmoil: The storm scene is highly symbolic. It represents the inner turmoil and chaos of King Lear. In this scene, King Lear understands his wrong decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters. The storm, with its thunder and lightning, refers to the emotional tempest that Lear is going through. Lear says,

“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes.”

Source of Lear’s Character Development: The storm scene is the key incident in King Lear’s character development. He has lost his power and status. Again, he is forced to confront his own mortality and the consequences of his actions. He realizes that he has been foolish. His daughters have betrayed him. He begins to experience a sense of humility and empathy towards the suffering of others. 

Human Frailty: At the same time, the storm embodies the awesome power of nature, which forces the powerless king to recognize his own mortality and human frailty. Lear is out of power and authority in the storm scene. He is now introduced as a weak old man at the mercy of the natural elements.

Lear’s Madness: Lear begins to lose his grip on reality as the storm rages on. He started to feel lonely in this world. This situation makes him more sympathetic to the audience, who can see him as a tragic figure rather than a tyrant.

The storm scene in King Lear reflects the turmoil in Lear’s mind. It is a powerful and dramatic scene that transforms King Lear into a man from an arrogant king.