Absolute Power Corrupts Completely
Power is a critical aspect of aristocratic society since it provides authority to those who possess it and influences the actions of others. When one is given too much control, it often results in the abuse of power. In the play, King Lear written by Williams Shakespeare, the corrupting and destructive effects of power are witnessed through three significant occurrences: Regan and Goneril betraying King Lear, Edmund deceiving his father and Cornwall abusing his power.
King Lear is deceived and corrupted by Goneril and Regan when they declare their false love for their father to gain his wealth and kingship. Regan states “I am made of that self metal as my sister, and prize me at her worth/ I find she homes
The theme of dishonesty is demonstrated from the start of ‘King Lear’ during the ‘love trial’ when Cordelia dislikes her sister’s “ponderous” words which suggest how dishonest both Goneril and Regan really are. The adjective “ponderous” determines that her love for Lear cannot be measured with words. Cordelia refuses to take part in the contest and Lear comments by saying: “so young and so untender”. The word “untender” suggests that Lear hopes for something that makes him feel valued as a king and father, however this works against him as ultimately both his other daughters better themselves by flattering themselves into trying to get the Kingdom. Arguably in this instance, flattery is a form of dishonesty and although Lear asks for it, their words begin the downward spiral of the tragedy....
King Lear’s play was something that I had never read before. It was so confusing to me, the way they talked with such big words. The characters in the play were so competitive, and selfish. Lear’s daughters were so cruel, except for Cordelia. She actually wanted to take care of her father unlike the other two girls that were just into Lear’s materials. The way Goneril and Regan rather he stays outside in the crazy thunderstorm, instead of him staying with them. The girls were already so envious and competitive with each other; the situation didn’t make it any better. Lear just wanted to love on them, and them love and give him attention, but he couldn’t get that from them. The women in the play controlled the men, while the men listened to them while they demanded orders.
Shakespeare’s treatment of illegitimacy in the play King Lear can be interpreted in many ways depending on the audience. The situation of illegitimacy is portrayed through the relationships of the characters the Earl Of Gloucester and his two sons Edgar and Edmund. Edmund is the illegitimate son while Edgar was born within the law. We learn of Edmund’s illegitimacy in the opening scene in the first act where The Earl of Gloucester is holding a conversation with Kent while Edmund is nearby. Gloucester speaks flippantly and lightly of the way his illegitimate son came into the world while introducing him to Kent saying, “ Though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet his mother was fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged” (Act I, Scene I, Lines 19-24). There are several peculiar things about this dialogue. One of the interesting aspects of Gloucester and Kent’s discussion is the readiness of Gloucester to admit he has fathered a child out of wedlock. This may be influenced by the fact that Edmund had obviously grown into a son that a father would be proud to have. At first meeting he seems polite, courteous, and loyal. Perhaps these admirable character traits are cause for Gloucester’s willingness to publicly claim Edmund as his own. Another unusual occurrence in the opening dialogue is that Gloucester calls Edmund a whoreson and a knave while he is close by and probably in hearing distance. This seems odd because Gloucester professes to feel only love for his son and no shame but he seems to almost mock him in this situation. One explanation for this behavior may be that deep down Gloucester still harbors some discomfort about the relationship between himself and his son despite his verbal proclamations of shamelessness. This could be inferred from Gloucester’s statement, “ His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed to ‘t.” (Act I, Scene I, Line 9). Again, depending on the audience the attitudes displayed in the play by the characters and Shakespeare himself by his writing can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the observer.
At first, Shakespeare portrays King Lear as an arrogant man whose only concern is himself; Lear has no problem relishing in his title and power as ruler, but has trouble carrying out the responsibilities of a king and doing good for his people. With this mindset, Lear manages to
Power is the ability to carry out a task or act in a particular way. Many people desire power because of the wealth and control that are associated with it. Power can also give people a greater sense of security because they are able to have an easier chance at achieving their personal and professional goals. The play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a story of a great warrior hero, Macbeth, who wanted to rise to power in the ranks at an accelerated pace by committing acts that were against the honor that he long fought for. After hearing the prophecies of three witches who told Macbeth that he will soon become king, he discussed his dilemma with his wife, Lady Macbeth, who encouraged him to plot a murder
The corrupting effect that power has on people has been seen throughout the ages in both literature and life. In literature, figures like Macbeth deteriorate into tyrants, and in life, people like Aaron Schock abuse their power for their own personal gain. Starting at the beginning of Macbeth and ending with the death of Macbeth, the effect that power
King Lear is a play about a tragic hero, by the name of King Lear, whose flaws get the best of him. A tragic hero must possess three qualities. The first is they must have power, in other words, a leader. King Lear has the highest rank of any leader. He is a king. The next quality is they must have a tragic flaw, and King Lear has several of those. Finally, they must experience a downfall. Lear's realization of his mistakes is more than a downfall. It is a tragedy. Lear is a tragic hero because he has those three qualities. His flaws are his arrogance, his ignorance, and his misjudgments, each contributing to the other.
Throughout King Lear cruelty and selfishness is an ongoing theme and sentiment which is mainly generated from Lear's two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan. Though these two sisters are virtually one character during most of the play they do even turn on each other when need takes over their heart. Goneril and Regan begin the play by professing their deep undying love for their father. These speeches were necessary if they wish to aquire their deserved piece of land and power from their father. In these two speeches Goneril and Regan use such phrases as "A love that makes breath poor and speech unable"(I, i, 60) and "And find I am alone felicitate / In your dear highness' love." (I, i, 75-6) while the daughter with the truest love towards her father refuses to speak for she "cannot heave / My heart into my mouth."(I, i, 91-2). The love Cordelia could not express in words her sisters were able to so insincerely, for if their love was true love it would not be able to be expressed in just words because emotion would take over any meaning words had. This is the first time we see them speak in the play and their first words are insincere which is definitely a sign of the lack of respect they give to the meaning of words throughout the continuation of the play.
Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. In Shakespeare’s King Lear one is able to relate and understand a lot of the problems the main characters in the play are facing. The characters face issues relating trust, family, greed, depression, and insanity. The issues and plot in the play are contemporary issues that any human can relate to because it is the way of life.
Goneril and Regan, King Lear’s daughters, are perhaps the most power hungry in the play. Shakespeare illustrates their greed for power, by using symbolism in the line “O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand,” (2.4.184) to show that they are even willing to turn against their own father. The gesture of holding hands symbolises that Goneril and Regan are together against their father. They both believe that he should lose his knights and therefore, his power. King Lear gives Goneril and Regan his land, but reserves his power as King. However, this taste of power only fuelled their greed until they take
The iconic playwright, William Shakespeare, is one of the most critically beloved writers of all time. His timeless stories still maintain cultural relevance today, despite being written centuries ago. Part of Shakespeare 's appeal, is that his plays can be understood by the uneducated masses of Victorian England, and still be intellectually edifying to British Nobility. Characters like King Lear, who are incredibly intense and tragic, may not require much thought to understand, but deserve a profound analysis in order to fully appreciate. Timeless characters like King Lear, have been emulated in fiction ever since the character made his debut in Shakespeare 's play. Larry Cook from A Thousand Acres, although not an identical representation,
Power is what every person wishes to obtain in some way, shape, or form. It is a driving force that will make an individual do whatever it takes to achieve the power he or she so desire. Iago from Shakespeare's Othello is an excellent representation of the theme of power. Throughout the play he manipulates his way into the position he wants. Why does he deceive to obtain power? Jealousy. It drives Iago mad. Does jealousy lead to a some form of madness? Iago, when speaking to Othello,
"As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / they kill us for their
Literature often provides an avenue for instruction on the human condition, and King Lear is no different. Perhaps the most important take away from King Lear, is the concept of recognizing true loyalty. The downfall of the play’s protagonists stems from the inability of leaders to recognize loyalty, and to be fooled by flattery. King Lear’s sin of preferring sweet lies is one that begins the entire play, with his inability to reconcile his favorite daughter’s refusal to flatter him. It is made clear that Cordelia does indeed love her father, but she refuses to exaggerate that love: “Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave/my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty/ according to my bond, no more nor less” (2.2.100-102). Cordelia’s declaration is an honest one, but doesn’t venture into the realm of exaggeration. However, it is made clear that King Lear desires flattery not truth, as demonstrated by his demand that Cordelia “mend her speech a little” (1.1.103). Gloucester parallels King Lear in placing his faith in the wrong child. Thus, a common motif of blindness to truth emerges. The truth is something one should seek for themselves, and to recklessly doubt those who are loved without hearing them out is foolish. This idea expressed in King Lear is timeless, and thus is relevant even in the modern
A King is supposed to have all that he needs without having to worry about anything in his late years. Yet King Lear, in Act 3, Scene 2, cried out in pitifully: “I am a man / More sinned against than sinning.'; Although Lear has made a huge mistake in the first scene of the play in dividing up his kingdom and banishing his two dearest people, the sins his two other ungrateful daughters have done him is far greater than the extent of Lear’s wrongs.