Clothes and Shakespeare; The Conspiracy

Shakespeare; The Conspiracy.         Nakedness and dress in Shakespeare's King Lear, represented the status of a character. Many scenes use clothing to show one characters dominance over another. The more opulent the clothing, the higher the status, or the lack of clothing, the lower the status. A few characters go through many wardrobes. Lear and Edgar, both start the beginning of the play wearing expensive, luxurious clothing, but each at different times wear less glorious clothing …

…of a character. Numerous scenes use the apparel of the characters to claim dominance over another. The more luxurious the clothing, the higher one is in the social status. Two characters change both clothing and status simultaneously. Lear and Edgar, both start the beginning of the play wearing very elegant clothing, but each at different times wear disgracing clothing or even no clothing at all. King Lear demonstrates the theme, 'clothes make the man.'