Critical Discourse Analysis of Shakespeare’s “King Lear”

Abstract

William Shakespeare is regarded as one of the greatest playwrights, poets, and actors in English history. In light of Shakespeare’s "King Lear," which depicts the greed for power and wealth, the aim of this research paper is to analyze various forms of language expressions used in this play. One of the most crucial aspects of any civilization is language; it is how individuals interact, form relationships, and foster a sense of community. For this research, the play's content is scrutinized using a research method called critical discourse analysis. The use of discursive linguistic features is unveiled through the 3D model of Fairclough. Additionally, the text is examined at each of the three levels of this model—descriptive, discursive, and social practices—individually. The results indicate that the play encompasses the discourse of wealth and revenge, classifying it as a tragedy.