Theme Of Greed In King Lear

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Power is a person’s capacity to influence and control. In Shakespeare’s time and in the modern world, power is something that is sought by many people. When used for good, power can inspire change, help society and unify a nation. However, in William Shakespeare’s play King Lear, it is a force strong enough to turn family against each other, and drive people mad. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power their father gives them. Edmund is corrupted by the power of his new position, Earl, and King Lear is blinded by his belief that he is the all-powerful King. The greed for power, plays an extensive role in the play because it corrupts most of the villainous characters and ultimately leads them to their demise. Goneril and Regan, King Lear’s daughters, are perhaps the most power hungry in the play. Shakespeare illustrates their greed for power, by using symbolism in the line “O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand,” (2.4.184) to show that they are even willing to turn against their own father. The gesture of holding hands symbolises that Goneril and Regan are together against their father. They both believe that he should lose his knights and therefore, his power. King Lear gives Goneril and Regan his land, but reserves his power as King. However, this taste of power only fuelled their greed until they take …show more content…

Although it can sometimes be often be used for good, in King Lear, it is displayed mainly as being negative. Goneril, Regan and Edmund’s greed, causes them to lose all their power. The loss of power, causes King Lear to go insane. Because power is such an influential force, many of the themes discussed by Shakespeare are still relevant today. It is important that we do not make the same mistakes that the characters in the play do. Power is necessary to create order, but a greed for power will only cause

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