Free Will In Shakespeare's King Lear

In Shakespeare’s the dramatic tragedy which is King Lear, we are introduced to the Earl of Kent, earl of Gloucester and his illegitimate son, Edmund. In the mist of Gloucester’s mockery of his adultery and youngest son’s conception, the reason for the season is revealed: King Lear will be dividing his kingdom amongst his three daughters, before his death, in order to avoid strife. This is also the day that the princes of France and Burgundy will rival for the youngest daughter, Cordelia’s, hand in marriage. “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” ignited the sparks, soon to turn ablaze of the kingdom. Using bombastic speeches, Goneril and Regan proclaim their love for Lear which, seemed to more than life itself. For Cordelia, when asked,

all she was able to reply was “nothing.” This lack of expression of obsequiousness, of blandishing that her sisters use, promptly besmirches Cordelia’s reputation. Lear sent into outrage, ousts Cordelia to be a plebeian with no identity, besmirching her to the King of France as if she was a worthless “wretch.” With the brandishing of Lear’s sword, Britain is divided into two parts for Goneril, Regan, and their husbands, Duke of Cornwall and the Duke of Albany, leaving himself with a crown, title and 100 knights. Kent, foreseeing the temerity of the king’s whimsical decisions, hails Lear to “reverse thy doom!” However instead of taking heed to his noble advisor, Lear demands for the removal of Kent’s presence in his life forever. Despite the chaos of everything and Lear’s obloquies against Cordelia, the King of France sees “she is herself a dowry”; France not only gaining a new angelic bride, but a severed relationship with Britain. In observation of how Lear “carry authority with such dispositions,” Regan and Goneril confer in collusion that they must be unorthodox with care and treatment of their father for selfish gain. Aside, Edmund juxtaposes “nature” and the “plague of custom”; “illegitimate” and “bastard”, to reveal his machination to becoming the legal ere of Gloucester. The only thing standing in his way is, the legitimate brother, Edgar. Edmund frames Edgar, with justification from the stars, by letter, to plotting their father’s early end. Edmund plans to insure separation between Edgar and Gloucester, so the truth may never be spoken. From Lear’s to Albany’s (Goneril’s) palace, Goneril grows querulous of Lear and his knights’ company thus, commanding Oswald to irritate Lear by disobeying his every order and to write to Regan, instructing her the same. Kent incognito as Caius, is determined to fulfill his perpetual duty as advisor to Lear, who is referred to merely as “Goneril’s Father.” Enter the Fool or uproarious harbinger, who is a well needed companion for Lear. His playful banter is rich with wisdom, which is a nothing for those who can’t receive it. Goneril believes that Lear’s knights are ruining her home, in an angry retort, Lear curses her with sterility and if a child is born, that they be a demon spun, saying “how ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!”, as she dismisses half of his knights. Lear writes to Regan, his only “thought” ally left for shelter. In Gloucester’s castle, word is given of a pending war between Albany and Cornwall. Edmund continues in his pursuits of engrossed power and parricide. He leads gullible yet, noble Edgar, to fall into his machinations, and flee in fear and trust of his brother, Edmund, left to perambulate aimlessly around the country side as Tom O’Bedlam. This, leaving Edmund to become the defender of the Gloucester name.

Here we also learn that Regan and Cornwall fled to Gloucester’s to avoid Lear and mentor Edmund because, of the honorable character traits he displays in this time of chaos. On the way to deliver the letters, Kent and Oswald come to an impasse, each other. Cornwall comes to the rescue of the noxious, cowardly, disrespectful Oswald, however Caius is left in the stocks to rot. An incredulous Lear receives the final coup de grâce from Regan, as she breaks the axiom news to him, “What need one?” as he has gone from having 100 knights to 50 to none. As a storm brews in the skies, we witness the parallelism between the turmoil of the families mirroring the chaos of nature and the country. On the heath, a gentleman gives word that France has used Britain’s “negligence” against them and advanced to Dover. King Lear also sees an enlightenment of what he is culpable of, through being humble and self-pity, realizing that he is a “man more sinned against than sinning” and his “wits begin to turn.” Gloucester, currently inquires word that Cordelia has come to save her father. He is prompted to come to Lear’s aid, not knowing sharing this information would lead to the altitude of betrayal from his son,

Edmund. In a hovel, Lear, Caius, and the Fool meet Tom O’Bedlam, who on the surface is plain crazy, however Lear sees a wise philosopher within him, proving his mental state and showing the Fool, his utilitarianism is no longer needed in this state of immense insanity and an understanding of what he has done wrong. Back at Gloucester’s castle, by Cornwall, Edmund is bestowed the honor and esteem of Earl of Gloucester. Upon Gloucester’s return, he is met with questions, accusations, and the treatment of civility and cruelty of a common criminal. Cornwall, then blinds Gloucester, in the most animalistic, primitive, vile way, sparking retaliation in his own servants, ultimately leading to his death. This leaves Gloucester with heighted enlightenment about his Edmund but, lost optimism in living and sight; much Like Edgar who, on the heath, loses faith in the world once seeing his father’s state. Albany is finally unsilenced with his true feelings toward his foul wife and the turmoil at hand, as he promises to avenge the good who have fallen. Goneril thus, reveals her acts of adultery and wants of unity with Edmund. Then we are once again united with the compassionate and beautiful Cordelia at a French camp near Dover, where we learn that the king of France will be absent in the war, however the only purpose for the war is to undo the hatred that has undone Lear with love. Regan finds temerity in Gloucester’s life and the relationship between Goneril and Edmund since, she is a widow and Goneril is married. She enlists Oswald to murder Gloucester.

While all of this is happening, Edgar, still disguised, restores Gloucester’s self-purpose and desire to live, twice, as he was on the precipice of depression, suicide and wanted by the quasi-murderer, Oswald. Edgar killed Oswald, by doing so, he gathered information on Goneril’s intentions of the death of her husband. Lear is now dressed in a gown and covered in flowers, completely insane but still holds insight in his words to show what he has learned. Lear is then captured by the reunion of himself and Cordelia, begging for her forgiveness as Cordelia empathizes with him to show the purity in her nature. This story does not share the common happy ever after, as we approach the battle of good vs. evil, evil prevails; All the darkness comes to light, Regan gives her power to Edmund and he reveals his faux love for both sisters and plans to end Albany’s intentional mercy to Lear and Cordelia., as he rises in his own estimation, taking Lear and Cordelia as prisoners of war. Seemingly unstoppable, Albany accuses Edmund of treason and challenges him to a sword fight as Regan cries in agony, unknowing being poisoned by Goneril, leading to her death. Then, enters Edgar as also challenging Edmund to a dual to avenge his father’s death of a broken heart and happiness of their

reunion. Edmund falls mortally wounded. Edgar reveals that Kent has been incognito as Caius. Additionally, a gentleman reveals that Goneril has committed suicide, and Lear enters holding dead a Cordelia, just as Edmund instructed a captain prior to his death. Lear is left pathetic and pitiful, dying because the tragedy is far greater than he can take. Albany is left to revive the shattered state.