Degrees of Pathos: Exploring Sympathy for the Damned in King Lear. Shakespeare's King Lear is a profound tragedy that combines themes of power, betrayal, and the harsh truths of human nature. The story revolves around an aging king who chooses to divide his realm between his daughters, triggering a series of incidents that send him into complete despair and result in both personal and familial devastation. The idea of hopelessness is explored in great detail in this story as Lear begins to lose control over reality and authority. The play also emphasizes the complex relationships that develop between characters as King Lear spirals into insanity. Crucial to his story are his ties with his daughters, Goneril and Regan. The Duke of Gloucester's …show more content…
Through her encounters with other characters, Goneril's complicated relationship with control and power is further explored. Her strategized cruelty to her father and deceit of her husband Albany are manifestations of her desperate attempts to hold onto power. Yet, her inner conflict and vulnerability become apparent, particularly when she reveals her fears about her sister Regan's influence over Edmund, stating, "I fear my brother’s death; I cannot speak of it. My words would bandy her to my sweet lord, And from my hand" (Act 4, Scene 2). This confession exposes her deep sense of loneliness as she makes her way through the toxic political environment she helped to establish in addition to her paranoia. Goneril's self-inflicted death ultimately acts as a solemn climax to her vicious quest for supremacy. Her last words were, "The laws are mine, not thine." Who can arraign me for not?" Act 5, Scene 3) is a moving statement of her desperation as well as a statement of her sense of independence. Despite being desperate, her action emphasizes the disastrous personal cost of her goals and the …show more content…
Thus, Edmund's passing not only signals the conclusion of his grand schemes but also serves as a moving reminder of the need for atonement in humankind. Readers find great resonance in Edmund's story arc, which provides an in-depth glimpse into the life of one of Shakespeare's most deftly portrayed villains. His life's tragic journey is highlighted by the combination of his initial brutal tactics and his final regretful finish, making him a fascinating case study in ambition, rejection, and the pursuit of atonement. This portrayal makes sure that, in spite of his villainy, Edmund is viewed as a very tragic individual whose last moments serve as a potent tribute to the complexities of human motivation and weakness. In conclusion, despite the fact that Goneril, Regan, and Edmund all display actions that are unquestionably evil, they are still very much like real people in that they have weaknesses and desires. This examination of their inner motives and feelings offers a complex perspective on each character. Shakespeare skillfully manipulates these facets of personality to arouse the audience's sympathy as well as disapproval, forcing
Edmund’s behavior comes from his desire to attain legitimacy and, thereby, acceptance. Thus, Shakespeare characterizes Edmund as wronged and vindictive through Edmund’s soliloquy about his lack of stature, even when he is as intelligent and attractive as Edgar. Shakespeare supplements this characterization by reinforcing Edmund’s use of deceit and betrayal. Edmund begins to align himself with the Duke of Cornwell and form alliances with Goneril and Regan by first, disloyally revealing his father’s treasonous acts and then, pitting King Lear’s daughters against one another for control of the kingdom. Edmund gradually gains power and status, but at a cost.
With Cordelia declared as banished, Lear states, “With my two daughters’ dowers digest the third...Only we shall retain The name and all th’ addition to a king. The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours” (Shakespeare 17). Lear’s fault here is that he believes that he can divide up his kingdom to his daughters and still retain the title as king; he wants to retire his position and responsibilities as a king but still remain respected and treated as one. His flaw in wanting to be superior leads to his downfall, as he is so blinded by his greed that he decides to divide up his kingdom to his two daughters who are as hungry for power as he is. They only want to strip him of his position and respect to gain more influence. Lear, not realizing the impact of such an impulsive decision, descends into madness when his daughters force him out of his home. After being locked out of his only shelter by his daughters, he states, “Filial ingratitude!...In such a night To shut me out?...O Regan, Goneril, Your old kind father whose frank heart gave all! O that way madness lies. Let me shun that; No more of that” (Shakespeare 137). Lear becomes fully aware of the consequences of his actions. He realizes how ungrateful his daughters are and how they have treated him unfairly even though he has given them everything; much to his dismay, he is left with
One of the reasons why Shakespeare is so thoroughly read today is because of his ability to portray human nature so accurately through his characters. Shakespeare's play, King Lear shows us that humans are treacherous and selfish. We can also relate to the play because of the family issues that Shakespeare incorporates throughout the work. Lear's family is definitely a dysfunctional one. However, the disrupted family unit is the basis for the play's tragedy. The Contemporary Guide to Literary Terms defines tragedy as "a piece of writing that inspires fear or pity, through which the audience/reader experiences catharsis" (a purging of emotions). Tragic plots should have a clear beginning, middle and end that all involve the protagonist in some way. It is essential in this play for King Lear to have serious family problems in order for him to become a tragic hero. The whole premise of the plot is based on his conniving daughters (with help from Lear's ego). These family problems turn Lear into a tragic hero. Much the same could be said about Gloucester, which will also be examined in this paper.
King Lear by Shakespeare portrayed the negative effects of power resulting in destruction caused by the children of a figure with authority. Through lies and continual hatred, characters maintained a greed for power causing destruction within their families. The daughter’s of Lear and the son Gloucester lied to inherit power for themselves. Edmund the son of Gloucester planned to eliminate his brother Edgar from his inheritance.
At the beginning of the play we learn that King Lear is old and wishes to retire from his position of King of Britain. The decision greatly alters his life and the lives of those around him. He is accustomed to power and flattery from his subjects and expects the same regard and appraisal from his daughters. On his retirement he makes a very foolish decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters.
Shakespeare scribbled King Lear away between the years 1603 and 1606. This was a tumultuous time because Queen Elizabeth I had died but had left no heir and no husband to seize her monarchy. Therefore, the citizens were worried and the competition for her regency was strong. In writing the play, Shakespeare broached this uneasy topic by creating the character King Lear, who is unsure of whom to pass down his power too. Thus, Shakespeare builds a setting with many of the current concerns and problems of his Elizabethan world (yet they are approached in a disguised manner). This time period in England was one where...
Both sisters are motivated by their desire for power they do not care the extent they must go to achieve this. They are dishonest to King Lear painting a false portrayal of their love for him, just so they gain the largest piece of the divided kingdom. Along with the land and the power over England, both sisters betray their promised responsibility to care for their father. Instead, Regan and Goneril plan to reduce their father remaining authority to feed their hunger for power. They disrespect King Lear by reducing the number of knights he is allowed to have and ultimately depriving him of shelter during a storm. They do not care nor are concerned with their father’s safety. King Lear, soon realizes their betrayal when he is expressing his sorrow to Cordelia stating “… for your sisters Have, as I do remember, done me wrong: You have some cause, they have not” (4.7.83-85). This line in the play demonstrates the evil Regan and Goneril portray, because throughout the play King Lear has not done anything to deserve the treatment they gave him, instead he gives them all of the kingdom and power he possesses. Ultimately Regan and Goneril’s appetite for power bring about their downfall. Both charters want to marry Edmund, that Gonerial goes to the extent to plan the murder of her husband and poisons Regan. Later Gonerial kills herself when she discovers that Edmund is dead and because she would rather die than face the consequences of her malicious
King Lear, has many valuable points. Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of love between family members by showing how much harm disloyal or unloving family members can cause. King Lear cruelly abuses his most loving daughter, Cordelia, simply because she admits that her love for her father is limited: "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty/ According to my bond, no more nor less." This truthful declaration by Cordelia leads to her disinheritance. However, despite this rejection, Cordelia continues to stand by her father's side and defend him in his time of need against Regan and Goneril. Now that they have their land and power, these disloyal sisters won't care for or even support their father. In fact, the two are now so greedy and disloyal that they wish to have Lear murdered. In effect, Lear, Goneril and Regan are very much alike: their failure to love family members causes great pain, first for themselves and then for others.
Goneril is the oldest of Lear’s three daughters. She is also the cruelest and most deceitful one. First she plays with her father’s emotions by telling how much she loves and turns her back on him when he needs her most. He goes to her house seek shelter and 100 attendants, and she tells him, “you are old and reverend.” (Act. 1, Sc. 4, ll. 207) Goneril then becomes involved with Edmund and plots to murder her husband with him. When Goneril finds out about her Regan and Edmund’s relationship, she poisons her sister then poisons herself. Goneril’s entire story pretty much consists of tragic, villainous and unforgivable behavior.
In the beginning of the play the reader learns that Lear is ready to give up his kingdom and retire from a conversation that two noblemen, Gloucester and Kent, are having. He asks his three daughters; Cordelia, Goneril, and Regan to express their love for him to help him make his decision as to who would inherit his kingdom. Cordelia has always been his “favorite” daughter and when asked how much she loved her father she does not lie to him and tells him “I am sure my love’s more ponderous than my tongue” (1363). Rather than being grateful for such love and honesty, Lear banishes her to France and divides his kingdom to his two other daughters. Kent does not agree with Lear’s decision and Lear banishes him too.
Shakespeare 's King Lear is a story of a king who sets out to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, with only Goneril and Regan reaping in his fortune. The family unit becomes torn as conflicts between personalities emerge between King Lear and his three daughters, thus creating a tragic end for many. King Lear 's two eldest daughters, Goneril, and Regan defy the roles and rights of women of the eight-century, displaying behavioral traits that are less desirable. Whereas King Lear 's youngest beloved daughter, Cordelia, embodied the warmth and true spirit of women that one would up most expect during this time period, one who showed loyalty, respect, and honesty, but remained strong and noble (Phillis). William Shakespeare skillfully
King Lear’ falls into the genre of tragedy, depicting the destruction and downfall of the king and his three daughters. The play follows the codes and conventions generally associated with the genre and it is through Lear’s character in combination with the cunning deceit of his two eldest daughters that set in play the themes of conflict, power, family and forgiveness.
Shakespeare expresses two major themes in King Lear: love and wisdom. King Lear’s struggle to recognize authentic love, love himself, and acknowledge the wisdom imparted on him, due to his weak emotional state, results in needless conflicts and the deaths of many. In the first scene of King Lear, Lear reveals his plan to split his kingdom between his daughters by asking them how much they love him. The daughter that proves she loves him the most receives the largest portion of the kingdom (1.1.46-50). Kent intends to calm Lear down, yet Lear’s unstable emotions at the time lead to him thrashing out against Kent, even threatening him.
As Goneril and Regan are completely smitten with Edmund. They would go against each other for his hand, this can be seen as a Civil War in a way since King Lear has set up the country for it. Edward Dowden states that King Lear makes a clear split between good and evil in this play, one of them being Edgar and Edmund, another being Goneril and Regan’s contrast with Cordelia. Edmund however does not as Ian Johnson says have a desire to hurt his brother or father but just wants them out of the way, as Edmund says “Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit.” (1.2.167)
The actions he takes against his own brother is corrupt, but the reason he does is more than coherent. However, while rational to see that Edmund deserved more due to his illegitimacy being none of his doing, his scale of revenge now defines him as a villainous character. The betrayal, strife, and lack of family loyalty in Gloucester’s family is convoluted, but the root of the complication is actually mistreatment. Edmund is exposed to years of verbal abuse and is consequently affected poorly. While the plot in Shakespeare’s King Lear is mainly the hunger for power, King Lear also presents the idea that lack of status and forgoing abuse can push a character to the point of