Meaning Behind Shakespeare's Works

To the general population, understanding William Shakespeare is considered an impossible task. One feels unable to move past the slight language barrier and dive into the truly modern meaning. Though the language of Shakespeare may seem incomprehensible, Shakespeare’s King Lear is relatable to modern life; property is still being divided, men are still growing old and losing sanity, and siblings will always have a rivalry between them.

A father must divide his property evenly and fairly between his offspring; however, because Lear is a king with a large ego, he feels that the largest amount of property should go to the daughter who loves him the most. Property is better handled by family than the state; therefore, fathers divide their assets between family members. It is better for Lear for his property to stay within the royal family and carry on his legacy. While fathers may try to be fair, assets cannot be divided perfectly evenly. Lear doesn’t even try to be fair, and he plans to split his land based on his daughters’ professions of love. “Tell me, my/daughters-/.../Which of you shall we say doth love us most/ That we our largest bounty may extend/Where nature doth with merit challenge” (I.i.50-53) Because Goneril and Regan want the most of the land and power, they spin stories of exaggerated and false love. “Sir, I love you more than word can yield the matter/dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty” (I.i.55-56). Cordelia cannot put her love for her father into elaborate words, and she is left with nothing. “You have begot me, bred me, loved me/I return those duties back as are right fit/Obey you, love you, and most honour you” (I.i.106-108). Her father banishes her because she cannot stroke his ego well enough. Lear’s dec...

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...e against him to strip him of what little power he has left. They work together well until they both decided that they were in love with Edmund. “I had rather lose the battle than that sister/Should loosen him and me” (V.i.25-26). Edmund causes more rivalry between the sisters than he may know; Goneril sent a letter to tell Edmund to kill her husband so they can marry. Goneril and Regan’s rivalry is characteristic of older sisters competing for power within the family; Cordelia has nothing against her sisters until they lie to get Lear’s land.

Though the language of William Shakespeare may require some decoding, one will find that there is a modern meaning behind his works. Since property must be divided, men will always grow old, and siblings will always be at war, Shakespeare’s King Lear is a play that is easily applicable to modern life and truly timeless.