KING LEAR Film - Act 2, Scene 4

 Stream on Amazon Prime - Episode 6

When Lear arrives at Gloucester’s, the political tensions that have been building towards upheaval breach the surface, while the impending storm looms inevitably closer. This scene is structured around a slow build towards a breaking point, yet at its heart is only deterioration. The stability of the kingdom, alliances, familial bonds, and Lear’s health and sanity all begin to fall apart.

The Fool, ever shrewd to the point of seeming prescience, warns Kent of what is about to happen.  He is alarmed by the changes he sees in Lear and, knowing Goneril and Regan’s true nature anticipates that he is about to be pushed into further devolution. He urgently cautions Kent that Lear’s decline will be swift and brutal, that it has already begun, and that it will not end well for those who follow. This moment is particularly poignant, as the Fool speaks to Kent not as Caius, but as himself. In that sense, it echoes the moment of recognition during 1.4, but goes beyond that brief silent exchange. This is not a moment of commiseration; rather the Fool is compelled by his very nature to warn Kent of the danger of following a doomed man. Yet he also knows that neither Kent nor himself will head that warning. They are both steadfast in their devotion to Lear and, however foolishly, will remain at his side in spite of what is to come, and indeed because of it. 

OTHELLO: Master Class 4

Reaching the end of my European tour of Othello I found I was not ready to let go of the play. So when I returned to New York, I created a series of master classes for professional actors. These are the audio versions.

KING LEAR Film - Act 2 Scene 2, Scene 3

KING LEAR Film - Act 2 Scene 2 Scene 3

Stream on Amazon Prime - Episode 5

There is tension and anticipation throughout the country as the makings of civil war continue to fester underneath the surface of civility. In this scene, there is much fighting, physically and verbally, as the younger generation postures for control of the kingdom. The boundaries of the social structure are tested in anticipation of their outright deterioration following Lear’s arrival.

Cornwall’s callous treatment of Kent is his first act of defiance against Lear, and the old order. Cornwall finds pleasure in being aggressive, commanding, and cruel to the King’s servant. He acts not out of mere distaste for Kent’s behavior as Caius, but because he finds pleasure in disregarding the social hierarchy and claiming a more powerful role for himself. As always Regan continues to try to trump Cornwall in severity, demanding further cruelty when Cornwall orders Kent put in the stocks. The competitiveness within their marriage exacerbates the underlying tension in the constant struggle for control that pervades this scene.

OTHELLO: Master Class # 3

Reaching the end of my European tour of Othello I found I was not ready to let go of the play. So when I returned to New York, I created a series of master classes for professional actors. These are the audio versions.

 

Dover King Lear Act 4 Scene 6

 

Othello: Master Class 2

Reaching the end of my European tour of Othello I found I was not ready to let go of the play. So when I returned to New York, I created a series of master classes for professional actors. These are the audio versions.

Audio Podcast Series - The 2nd class continues the in-depth discussion of the opening scenes. https://www.alexanderbarnett.com/notesoth.html

Rodrigo, Othello, Desdemona, Brabantio

Othello: Master Class1

Reaching the end of my European tour of Othello I found I was not ready to let go of the play.  So when I returned to New York, I created a series of master classes.  These are the audio versions.

Audio Podcast Series  - The 1st class is an in-depth discussion of the given circumstances of the opening scene and the characters of Iago, Rodrigo and Desdemona.

Rodrigo and Iago