李尔王:智慧与权力的悲剧性分裂

King Lear:The Tragic Disjunction of Wisdom and Power

《李尔王》是莎士比亚最伟大的戏剧之一,同时也是最具悲剧性的戏剧。李尔的成长过程具有复杂性,尤其在该剧第二场,当他得知最初的国王身份蒙蔽了自己,此后的反应便酿成了《李尔王》的悲剧性。李尔在智慧上的收获以他丧失最初的显赫地位和之后的丧失统治能力为代价,他新获得的智慧和自我意识是用昔日王者的尊贵换来的。智慧与权力在他身上呈现出悲剧性的分裂,这既是李尔成为悲剧人物的根源,也是《李尔王》被视为最深刻悲剧的原因。

King Lear is one of the greatestplays by Shakespeare and also one of the most tragic plays.King Lear is tragic precisely because of the complexity of the process in the Lear’s development,especially in the second half of King Lear,when he learns the truths to which his position as king initially blinded him.Lear’s gains in wisdom come at the expense of his initial grandeur and hence his ability to rule.His newfound wisdom and self-awareness are purchased at the price of his original grandeur.Wisdom and power present a tragic disjunction in him,which is not only the root of Lear’s becoming a tragic figure,but also the reason why King Lear is regarded as the most profound tragedy.