Examples Of Loyalty In King Lear

J.RR Tolkien once wrote, “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” Tolkien speaks of the natural human instinct to leave when things get hard. It is easy for people to be loyal until it is no longer convenient for them. However, true loyalty is demonstrated by those who stay through the hard times in someone else’s life. Shakespeare puts a lot of emphasis on loyalty, a central theme in the play. In King Lear, Shakespeare shows that being loyal is admirable because it is more difficult than being treacherous. Cordelia and Kent are the most notably loyal characters. In return for their loyalty, Lear banishes Kent from the country, “Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; /He’ll shape his old course in a country new” (1.1.187-188) and he disowns Cordelia, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care,” (1.1.114). Yet even though Lear behaves like this they both remain loyal, which is an admirable quality in both Kent and Cordelia. They both face great hardship in their efforts to be loyal. Kent risks everything to disguise

Cordelia and Kent are the most loyal to Lear, but they receive punishment instead rewards. Ultimately, they meet satisfying and peaceful ends. Regan and Goneril manipulate their way to power and achieve what they crave until they turn on each other. Their treachery is effortless but they meet their consequences in the end. Edmund needs time to realize that although treachery is easy, it isn’t the admirable thing to do. Loyalty and treachery are what cause the downfall of many characters. Loyalty and treachery are what allow this play to be a tragedy, although the conclusion of certain characters depends on whether or not they were faithful or traitorous. Those that were loyal achieved peace, while the deceitful characters ultimately received their tragic