What Is The Loss Of Identity In King Lear

The play King Lear by the famous William Shakespeare, embodies a great many themes which were quite ahead of their time. Some of these include justice, gender roles, and questioning societal standards. None of these are more important, however, than the theme of self. The question of findings oneself has been eternally embedded into human nature. Whether looking for ourselves in religion, hobbies, or our work, the concept of “being yourself” has been one taught throughout the ages of mankind. Shakspeare touches on this topic in the forms of a few characters in King Lear. The most important of these characters are Edgar, Kent, and of course the king himself, King Lear. King Lear struggles with the loss of his identity due to the giving away of his kingdom in a chaotic and forced way., Characters such as Kent and Edgar struggle with identity as well, but in a more controlled state, as they choose to change their appearance and take on alternate identities. The alternate identities of Kent and Edgar allows them to accomplish things they otherwise would not have been able to as themselves, and speak in ways prohibited otherwise, showing that when used properly, the controlled change in oneself can be used for good.