John Florio's English translation of Michel de Montaigne's Essays was published in 1603. William Shakespeare's King Lear was written between 1604 and 1605, after he wrote Othello and before he wrote Macbeth. The extremely close temporal relationship between the Essays and King Lear has led many to believe that Montaigne had a great influence on the play. Critics have noted that King Lear contains more than a hundred words that Shakespeare had never used before, words found in the Essays. Additionally, many of the themes addressed by Montaigne in the Essays play an essential role in King Lear. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get an original essay A common theme in both works is the conflict between nature and culture, between the natural state of humanity and the state that culture has imposed. he. Montaigne emphasizes from the start his preference for naturalness. In “To the Reader” he writes: If my aim had been to seek the favor of the world, I should have put on finer clothes and presented myself in a studied attitude. But I want to appear in my simple, natural and everyday outfit, without constraint or artifice; because it is myself that I represent. (p. 23)Montaigne sets up clothing as a metaphor for culture, a metaphor he uses often throughout the work. Just as clothes hide the body, culture hides the true self. Montaigne's "essays", which literally mean "attempts", are his attempts to find the truth. Nature is closer to truth than the artifices of culture. Culture can also distort our vision of reality, as Montaigne notes in “Of the Cannibals”: Now, to return to my argument, I do not believe, from what I have been told about these people, that There is nothing barbaric or savage about him, except that we all call barbaric everything that is contrary to our own habits. In fact, it seems that we have no other standard of truth and reason than the type and kind of opinions and customs in force in the country where we live. (pp. 108-109) It is important that Montaigne constantly uses “we” instead of a more universal word like “people.” “We” refers to those in his society whose views have been tainted by culture, to those who have bastardized natural virtues “and adapted them only to satisfy our corrupt tastes.” (109) Unlike harsh words like “bastardized,” Montaigne uses laudatory words to describe cannibals; their values are “the true, the most useful and the most natural”. (109) Montaigne goes on to describe an almost utopian society that others might describe as barbaric. In “On Experience,” Montaigne almost completely rejects culture, asserting that man should concentrate on himself and not on other matters. King Lear also extensively addresses the notion that culture is useless and troublesome. In Act II, scene 4, King Lear says: O reason, it is not necessary! Our vilest beggars are in the poorest superfluity. Do not allow nature more than it needs, man's life is as cheap as that of beasts. (264-67) Lear says this to his daughters Regan and Goneril, because culture has made them lose sight of the truth and what is most important; they are fiercely motivated by their greed. For example, Regan uses the word "need" when she says, "What do I need?" in line 263, but Lear emphasizes that the followers she speaks of are by no means a necessity. “Base” is also an important word; it is used to refer to the uncivilized in a negative tone. Edmund, for example, deplores the fact that he is called a bastard and uses.

Essay / John Florio's English translation of Michel de Montaigne's Essays was published in 1603. William Shakespeare's King Lear was written between 1604 and 1605, after he wrote Othello and before he wrote Macbeth. The extremely close temporal relationship between the Essays and King Lear has led many to believe that Montaigne had a great influence on the play. Critics have noted that King Lear contains more than a hundred words that Shakespeare had never used before, words found in the Essays. Additionally, many of the themes addressed by Montaigne in the Essays play an essential role in King Lear. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get an original essay A common theme in both works is the conflict between nature and culture, between the natural state of humanity and the state that culture has imposed. he. Montaigne emphasizes from the start his preference for naturalness. In “To the Reader” he writes: If my aim had been to seek the favor of the world, I should have put on finer clothes and presented myself in a studied attitude. But I want to appear in my simple, natural and everyday outfit, without constraint or artifice; because it is myself that I represent. (p. 23)Montaigne sets up clothing as a metaphor for culture, a metaphor he uses often throughout the work. Just as clothes hide the body, culture hides the true self. Montaigne's "essays", which literally mean "attempts", are his attempts to find the truth. Nature is closer to truth than the artifices of culture. Culture can also distort our vision of reality, as Montaigne notes in “Of the Cannibals”: Now, to return to my argument, I do not believe, from what I have been told about these people, that There is nothing barbaric or savage about him, except that we all call barbaric everything that is contrary to our own habits. In fact, it seems that we have no other standard of truth and reason than the type and kind of opinions and customs in force in the country where we live. (pp. 108-109) It is important that Montaigne constantly uses “we” instead of a more universal word like “people.” “We” refers to those in his society whose views have been tainted by culture, to those who have bastardized natural virtues “and adapted them only to satisfy our corrupt tastes.” (109) Unlike harsh words like “bastardized,” Montaigne uses laudatory words to describe cannibals; their values are “the true, the most useful and the most natural”. (109) Montaigne goes on to describe an almost utopian society that others might describe as barbaric. In “On Experience,” Montaigne almost completely rejects culture, asserting that man should concentrate on himself and not on other matters. King Lear also extensively addresses the notion that culture is useless and troublesome. In Act II, scene 4, King Lear says: O reason, it is not necessary! Our vilest beggars are in the poorest superfluity. Do not allow nature more than it needs, man's life is as cheap as that of beasts. (264-67) Lear says this to his daughters Regan and Goneril, because culture has made them lose sight of the truth and what is most important; they are fiercely motivated by their greed. For example, Regan uses the word "need" when she says, "What do I need?" in line 263, but Lear emphasizes that the followers she speaks of are by no means a necessity. “Base” is also an important word; it is used to refer to the uncivilized in a negative tone. Edmund, for example, deplores the fact that he is called a bastard and uses.

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