"In a mad world only the mad are sane."

 

Ran, directed by the Japanese film maker, Kurasawa, takes for its plot the tragedy, King Lear, by Shakespeare.

 

"As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods:

They kill us for their sport." ( King Lear IV.i.36-37)

 

Characters:

Hidetora, king of the house of Ichimonji

Taro -- first son, he and his army are in yellow

Jiro -- second son, red

Saburo -- youngest son, blue

Tonga -- minister to Hidetora, who is banished along with Saburo, but who disguises himself so that he can be near his master, Hidetora.

Fujimaki -- visiting king who makes Saburo his son-in-law after his banishment. His army is in white

Lady Kaede -- wife of Taro who hates Hidetora for killing her family

Lady Sue -- wife of Jiro who is a devout Buddhist. Her family has also

been destroyed by Hidetora.

Sue's brother ? -- blinded as a child by Hidetora

The fool -- Hidetora's personal clown

 

The Clown -- "Are there no gods. No Buddha? The gods are mischievous and cruel."

Tonga -- "The gods weep. They see us killing each other over and over since time began. . . . Men prefer sorrow over joy." (Ran)