King Lear as a Tragedy Caused by Arrogance, Rash Decisions and Poor Judgement of Character

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King Lear as a Tragedy Caused by Arrogance, Rash Decisions and Poor Judgement of Character Shakespeare lays out the fate of all the characters in Ling Lear within the first scene of the play, leaving no doubt in the audience's mind that a terrible mistake is taking place, because of the way other characters react, Kent for example. Ironically the king states his wish "that future strife be prevented" by his division of the kingdom between his three daughters on declarations of their love. He is both naïve and vain in believing that carving up his kingdom in this way will create anything other than rivalry and disaster. Two of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, are prepared to flatter him because they both have ambitions for power and wealth, while the youngest, Cordelia, will not exaggerate her true feelings: that of a loving daughter, "I love your majesty according to my bond: nor more nor less." The king ignores the Earl of Kent who tries to defend Cordelia and banishes him for daring to speak out. Without hesitation he cuts off one of his most loyal people without considering the consequences. This act weakens him but he is so arrogant that he won't listen to criticism: everyone is wrong who disagrees with him. Shakespeare shows a king here who cannot judge a situation rationally or with a view to future implications. The king prefers the over the top flattery of his eldest daughters, though their words, as any audience would detect, are false and scheming. "Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty," Goneril says. And Regan declares she is "an enemy to all other joys". Cordelia reacts fearfully in an aside "Then poor Cordelia," but determines to be honest. Lear, of course is blind to this, highly delighted with Goneril and Regan's unrealistic praise, he judges Cordelia's simple statement more as insult than proper emotion from a daughter. The play starts with the decisive moment, the carving up of a kingdom. But we get a good idea of what it was like before.

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