Edgar's disguise as Poor Tom relates to the Christmas spirits in the novel, A Christmas Carol. During his first appearance, to King Lear, Poor Tom catches Lear's attention because they share the feeling of misery. However, Poor Tom gives Lear a new perspective on his situation and calms some of his rage as he tells Lear that he had no daughters to drive him mad and that his insanity was caused by his own actions. Poor Tom sheds light on Lear's situation as Lear recognizes that others have it worse than him.
Lear echoes Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Christmas Yet to Come confront Scrooge concerning his way of life. These ghosts present varying perspectives on Scrooge's life and force him to realize his ways and change them for the better.
Hopefully Poor Tom's warnings will reshape Lear's thinking and force him to re-evaluate the immature treatment of his daughters as he refuses to talk to them like Scrooge changed his way of life.
Lauren, I just wanted to say that this connection is really interesting. If I'm correct, Poor Tom meats Lear in the storm scene, when Lear is temporarily banished by his daughters. Lear and company stumble upon Edgar, who really just tries to take advantage of the situation, but also provides a new perspective for Lear and what really is causing his distress and pain. In A Christmas Carol, the ghosts come to Scrooge and show him the real meaning of Christmas and just how much one can "get" from giving. Both men have light shed on their situations and then change to better themselves. I really liked this post, partly because of the approaching holiday, but also because it really got me to think about giving.
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