Social Values in King Lear

In King Lear, Shakespeare portrays a society whose emphasis on social class results in a strict social hierarchy fueled by the unceasing desire to improve one’s social status. It is this desire for improved social status that led to the unintentional deterioration of the social hierarchy in King Lear. This desire becomes so great that Edmund, Goneril, Reagan and Cornwall were willing to act contrary to the authority of the social hierarchy for the betterment of their own position within it. As the plot unfolds, the actions of the aforementioned characters get progressively more desperate and destructive as they realize their lack of success in attaining their personal goals. The goals vary, however the selfish motivation does not. With Edmund, Goneril, Reagan and Cornwall as examples, Shakespeare portrays the social hierarchy as a self-defeating system because it fosters desires in its members that motivate them to act against the authority of the hierarchy to benefit themselves. A consideration of each characters actions in chronological order and the reasons behind such actions reveals a common theme among the goals for which morality is abandoned.

Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester is not pleased with his status as a bastard. Edgar the legitimate son of Gloucester stands to obtain the lands, wealth and power of his father. Edmund thinks this is unfair and begins a plot to banish his brother and obtain the lands of his father. He begins by writing a fake letter from Edgar saying that he wants to murder his father and wishes to take power by force. Edmund uses his deceiving abilities to make the letter seem genuine. He lies to his father about how he came into possession of the letter: “It was not brought me, my Lord; t...

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...r is working with the French as a spy. Cornwall is pressured by his wife Reagan and the disturbing accounts of Edmund to punish Gloucester as they see fit. Cornwall’s final action is the removal of Gloucester’s eyes as punishment for helping Lear and conspiring with the French. Cornwall’s role in the play is vital as he is a tool in the plot of Edmund, and his death becomes fuel for the conflict between Goneril and Reagan.

In conclusion, the social hierarchy in King Lear is one that values land and royalty by marriage. The desire to obtain either of the two was so great in the characters of Edmund, Goneril, Reagan and Cornwall that they were willing to go against the hierarchy itself and abandon all notions of morality. It was the actions of these four characters combined that brought about the destruction of the royal family and the downfall of Lear’s kingdom.