Death's Immanence In Life in Shakespeare's King Lear

In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, the idea of self-awareness is portrayed through death. More specifically, Lear illustrates self-awareness by refusing the inevitability of old age.

With death comes self- awareness. Lear has a clear perception of reality as a king and loving father; however it's evident that Lear's daughters give him a completely different identity than the one he gives himself. It suggests his old age and faults. During Lear's first identity crisis, he rhetorically asks “Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear (I. iv. 10)” as if he doesn't quite know how to define himself other than a “king”. A godly manifestation much? What Lear asks is to be labeled with power, but his daughters concur the frailty of his life is more fit for a definition rather than being “king”. Either he can't seem to grasp who he is, or he isn't self assured what others think of him. His question redeems the truth of reality. “Who is it that can tell me who I am? (I. iv. 10)”, Lear re-evaluates his intellect, however, he asks the rhetorical questions in a manor that doesn't quite suggest his own faults; instead, he gives the impression that the answers are self-evident. He expects a response in favor to his own, but discovers that no one can tell him what he wants to hear. What he means when he asks, “Who is it that can tell me who I am? (I. iv. 10)” suggests clarity in his realization of old age. The fact that no one can tell him allows his self-awareness to grow. I see that Lear's rhetorical questions transpose into existential ones once he realizes he isn't fit for the type of ruler he once was.

Contrary to his daughters, Lear seems to define himself as a powerful monarch despite his old age. He is constantly surroundi...

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... was a catalyst of hope. Lear dies in heartbreak as the reality of death in life introduces his existence as insignificant. We see him left in confusion and denial of his daughter's state even when it was evident she was dead. His intense suffering served as his cause of death,however, it's interesting to note Lear's revelation of death occurred during his height of madness. It's as if death's immanence in life occurs during a mental illness. As if the revelation is so strong it brings one to insanity. Throughout the play we see Lear trying to forget death and the moment of death, lacking the heroism that crowns a king.

Unfulfilled love leads to death faster than defeat. Tested act after act, Lear gains self-awareness as agony. The concept of awareness is evident through the terrifying experience of death, which seems to be inevitable due to it's immanence in life.