Examples where Melody and Spectacle are used in King Lear include the storm. The storm is a sound in the play that is used to foreshadow unearthly events to come. We first hear of the storm as King Lear is exiting his castle after he feel betrayed by his daughters. This is used to literally portray the weather but there are also other implications such as Lear’s mental state and to signify danger to come. Every time we enter a scene with Lear the play reminds us that the storm is continuing to rage, just like how Lear’s mental is continuing to deteriorate.

The fool uses song / melody throughout the play as a tool to convey his message. It almost acts as a disguise to the heavy truth that he bares. The fool’s role in the play is to be telling Lear the hidden truth occurring in his actions and how others may be deceiving him. Because fools are supposed to be comedians for the king to laugh at, no one takes his message at face value. When he sings certain lines it is very easy to dismiss it but it’s only when we see the events unfold we understand the wisdom that he is sharing.

Another example of sound used in King Lear is when trumpets or horns. These are a symbol of power. Examples of when these sounds occur are when the king enters a room or one of the princesses. This shows off their status and that their entrance is notable.

Spectacle is most commonly used as costume as characters are constantly creating disguises to be in the same room as another character without that character knowing. This changes the play as it allows for many plot points to occur. For example, almost all of the cast believes that Kent has been exiled and that they’ll never see him again, however he is present in many of the scenes. This allows him to still know what is going on and characters reveal plot points to him because they think it’s a totally different person. It shows off Lear’s mental demise as Edgar disguises himself as ‘Poor Tom’ who is a homeless naked person.
Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom the foul
fiend hath led through fire and through flame, and
through ford and whirlipool e’er bog and quagmire; Poor Tom entering Lear’s hovel shows how far he has fallen. It shows how he now perceives himself to that of equal or lesser worth as this worthless peasant.