The Journey to Self-Knowledge
Lim 1
Avery Lim
Mr. Stewart
ENG 3U
4 May 2015
The Journey to Self-Knowledge
Many of Shakespeare’s plays, share the common theme of people’s failure to know themselves. This is evident in William Shakespeare’s King Lear which explores the issue of self-knowledge through several important characters. Gloucester suffers from blind arrogance, causing an unhealthy power dynamic between his sons regarding legitimacy. Another person who struggles with a lack of self is Edgar. His naiveté is the cause of poor judgement in a number of stressful situations. The most powerful example of someone who does not listen his inner voice, is King Lear himself. He is completely ignorant to the true nature of his three daughters and the consequences of relinquishing his kingdom before death. Each of these characters face a series of crises which force them to undergo a process of self-realization. From this experience where at some point they are poor and half-naked, Gloucester, Edgar and Lear learn a basic truth; humans must eventually face their maker, and they cannot bring any earthly treasures with them. A life that is spent accumulating only worldly possessions, is a life wasted.
In King Lear, Gloucester is one of the first character to show his overconfidence when he boasts about how much amusement he has by fun of his bastard son. By that time Edmund has attained so much hatred that he devices plans to betray his father. Soon the illegitimate son reveals his progenitor’s intentions to Cornwall which causes Gloucester to lose his eyes as punishment. Gloucester is thrown out of his home and left alone when he meets his son, Edgar, who is disguised as a beggar and talks to his father for the first time. Gloucester realizes that his son is dressed as a beggar and says:
He has some reason, else he could not beg,
I’th’last night’s storm I such a fellow save,
Which made me think a man a worm. My son
Came into my mind; and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him. I
Avery Lim
Mr. Stewart
ENG 3U
4 May 2015
The Journey to Self-Knowledge
Many of Shakespeare’s plays, share the common theme of people’s failure to know themselves. This is evident in William Shakespeare’s King Lear which explores the issue of self-knowledge through several important characters. Gloucester suffers from blind arrogance, causing an unhealthy power dynamic between his sons regarding legitimacy. Another person who struggles with a lack of self is Edgar. His naiveté is the cause of poor judgement in a number of stressful situations. The most powerful example of someone who does not listen his inner voice, is King Lear himself. He is completely ignorant to the true nature of his three daughters and the consequences of relinquishing his kingdom before death. Each of these characters face a series of crises which force them to undergo a process of self-realization. From this experience where at some point they are poor and half-naked, Gloucester, Edgar and Lear learn a basic truth; humans must eventually face their maker, and they cannot bring any earthly treasures with them. A life that is spent accumulating only worldly possessions, is a life wasted.
In King Lear, Gloucester is one of the first character to show his overconfidence when he boasts about how much amusement he has by fun of his bastard son. By that time Edmund has attained so much hatred that he devices plans to betray his father. Soon the illegitimate son reveals his progenitor’s intentions to Cornwall which causes Gloucester to lose his eyes as punishment. Gloucester is thrown out of his home and left alone when he meets his son, Edgar, who is disguised as a beggar and talks to his father for the first time. Gloucester realizes that his son is dressed as a beggar and says:
He has some reason, else he could not beg,
I’th’last night’s storm I such a fellow save,
Which made me think a man a worm. My son
Came into my mind; and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him. I