annot avoid feeling the full affects of the former. The definite shift in syntax underscores the truism that the harshness of the environmentcorrelates to the ingratitude Lear’s daughters have shown towards him. The short,choppy nature of Lear’s language also indicates his inability to think complete, coherentthoughts while his mind is essentially battered by an internal tempest. The harsh “s” soundfiltered throughout Lear’s speech further verifies his inner turmoil over the fact that hisdaughters show a diminutive amount of gratitude towards him despite his providingendlessly for them. The “s” sound in this case serves as a cacophony. It is especiallyeffective as the reader can almost hear the crashing of waves and the howling of windwithin Lear’s mind. Thou think’st much that this contentious storm Invades us to the skin. So ‘tis to thee...(lines 6-7)Lear’s speech in Act 3, scene 4 also has a distinctive metaphorical air to it and isaccompanied by definite examples of Shakespeare’s lucid imagery. “Thou’dst shun a bear, But if thy flight lay toward the roaring sea Thou’dst meet the bear in the mouth” (lines 8-10).The preceding citation is clearly characteristic of the principal theme encompassed inLear’s speech--that the environmental storm is less daunting than the disturbance withinLear’s own mind. If one is being tracked down by a bear, they will naturally run. But, ifthey are running towards a roaring sea, they have little choice but to face the bear sincethey will have no chance to survive the sea. The bear here is being compared to the harshstorm that Lear rarely feels and the roaring sea is being compared to his internal tempest. Not only does this set of lines capture a vivid image in the reader’s mind, but it also servesas a metaphorical comparison between Lear’s mind (the subject of more concern) ...
