The film RAN and the play The Tragedy of King Lear can be related to each other in many ways. Kurosawa was able to produce a film that was a valid, effective and relevant portrayal of Shakespeare's play. The first way is in how they relate to each other on a plot based theme. The second way is how they can both be analyzed to themes such as; family, betrayal, loyalty, and selfishness. The third way that they relate to each other is how RAN uses Japanese drama to portray a Shakespearean tragedy. Kurosawa, the director of RAN made a very effective and valid film on interpreting the key points of The Tragedy of King Lear. The two works give lessons to the audience, and these lessons are learned once finishing studies on RAN and The Tragedy of King Lear.
The characters for the play and the film are very similar, first you have King Lear who is represented by The Great Lord Hidetora in the film, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia are represented by Taro, Jiro, and Saburo respectively.
Cover of Tate's The History of King Lear
English: Title page of Shakespeare's King Lear (16...
18th-century depiction of King Lear mourning over ...Kent, the King's loyal advisor is represented by Tango, and Cornwall and Albany are represented by Lady Kaede, and Lady Sue respectively.
The first comparison of RAN and The Tragedy of King Lear is how plot is similar. The plot is very similar in both works as RAN is based on The Tragedy of King Lear so of course there will be similarities. The plot is how a family can be torn apart by the powers of; greed, stubbornness, and betrayal. In both works the family of King Lear, Regan, Goneril and Cordelia are torn apart, eventually all members of the family die. The message these works are trying to get across is how important family is; whether it...