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Applying Psychoanalytical Theory to Shakespeare's play, 'King Lear'

Aroob khan

Aroob “Ruby” Khan began this project as a requirement for their English 430 Shakespeare class. When first assigned the project, they weren’t entirely sure which Shakespearean play to focus on or what direction their writing would take. After reviewing their notes, they decided to apply psychoanalytical theory to Shakespeare’s King Lear. They found this play especially interesting, both in terms of its plot and its complex characters. Their goal was to shed light on Shakespeare in a way that made his work more engaging and enjoyable for others. They understand that reading Shakespeare can sometimes feel dull or overwhelming, but believe that applying literary theories or exploring common themes can make it much more accessible and fun. Through this project, they hoped to offer their own interpretation of King Lear while creating an open platform for others to share their thoughts and perspectives as well. This opportunity has given them more confidence and experience in presenting their interpretations of literary works and has helped them find a more comfortable way to introduce material that encourages open discussion and invites others to contribute their ideas.

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