King Lear

Throughout history, men have been depicted in literature in various ways: as warriors, heroes, rulers, fathers, brothers, sons and lovers. Shakespeare's King Lear gives a glimpse of a man's psyche in the course of the relationships he has with the women of the play. King Lear brings out the worst of Goneril and Regan, invoking within them deceit, greed and manipulation, portraying women as foul and loathsome creatures who give rise to suffering and discord. While Cordelia embodies a positive female image, King Lear is illogical in his actions toward her due to her sexuality and his opinion of how a female should honor her father.

There are a number of possibilities for this apparent irrationality in King Lear's actions and reactions toward Cordelia. First it could be Lear's insecurity over what used to be familiar, and what now seems an estranged daughter. He is upset at the revelation that someone with whom he has placed the greatest confidence and trust for his old age has the potential to give him less than what he had projected in his mind. The erosion of this trust and security causes the weathering of his love and generosity towards the daughter who has disappointed him:

"Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

Propinquity, and property of blood,

And as a stranger to my heart and me

Hold thee from this forever." (1.1.114-117)

These words express the illogicality that is used by King Lear towards his daughter, as he claims that he has lost his trust in Cordelia for the sole reason that she is honest with him in explaining her love for him:

"Good my lord,

You have begot me, bred me, loved me. I

Return those duties back as right fit,

Obey you, love you, and most honor you." (1.1.96-98)

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He denied it from himself however, asking Cordelia to refrain from mocking him, but did not fail to seek forgiveness for his male brute and pride.

Shakespeare shows how Lear's pursuit of his selfish concerns led him to ultimate misery. Lear emboides the alpha-male, literally translated as "first male," who wanted to be the first and foremost priority in his daughter's lives. He strove to ensure that superiority even in old age. It discomforts Lear that he was unable to conquer the inherent power that his daughters held with their sexuality. Instead, Lear resorts to illogical actions, like banishing his beloved daughter Cordelia from the dominion of his kingdom. Lear's irrational actions in this Shakespearean tragedy could have been prevented if he felt he was able to consider Cordelia's honest feelings instead of dismissing her blunt words from the start.