By: Bryce Romeo
King Lear: Loyalty and
Betrayal
In William
Shakespeare’s play,
“King Lear”, the reader will see many juxtapositions throughout the scenes.
One of these juxtapositions, is loyalty and betrayal. We will be taking a closer look at
Goneril’s Betrays her
Father
“Sir, I love more than word can wield matter; Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
This is one of the first forms of betrayal. The reader will note that Goneril is professing her love for her father but it is a lie. This is an ultimate form of betrayal, because she’s exaggerating her love just so she could get more estate from her father.
Cordelia’s Loyalty to her
Father
“Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your majesty according to my bond; no more no less.” (Act
1, Scene 1)
Cordelia is honest with her father, when she is professing he love. Her loyalty is shown by being honest with her father;
Even if he does not believe her or leave her anything. Cordelia
Edgar’s Loyalty to His
Father
“Give me thy arm. Poor Tom shall lead thee.” (Act 4, Scene
1)
Edgar lost all his possession and status, and became poor
Tim (a beggar.) These unfortunate events happened because Gloucester distrusted his son. Edgar’s loyalty is showd when he guides his
Edmund Betrays
Gloucester
“This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the Duke instantly know, and of the letter too. This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me that which my father loses - no less than all. The younger rises when the old doth fall.”
Gloucester tells Edmund of a letter that warns that the soldiers are coming to start a war with Britain. Edmund takes this opportunity to hurt and betray his father
Authority and Chaos
King Lear is both a king and a father.
Who gave his fortune to his unworthy daughters, Gorneil and Regan, based on the lies they told him. For this reason,
King Lear has turned over Britain to chaos. This realization causes King lear to reconsider his values and understand himself, and helps him want to tackle the
Conclusion of King Lear
Order and Chaos is seen throughout
King Lear, and one of the more common elements is loyalty and betrayal.
Between both sons and daughter towards their parents. Which is something that can be applied in reality that is also seen between parents and children. Now it is just a matter of which
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