Fatherly Influence King Lear
Fatherly Influences
An individual is the most impressionable throughout the maturing stages of their life, which is why parents are seen as highly influential characters. It is common for a child to share similar qualities or interest as their maternal partner and even inherit their flaws. William Shakespeare’s play King Lear is a tale filled with greed, miscommunication and most importantly the mistreatment of family members. Throughout the play these key elements enhance the way Lear’s behavior influences the actions and mind set of his daughters. “Most Shakespearean criticism concentrates on the rebellious nature of “like father, like daughter relationships”; however, these relationships revealed in the play show similarities and differences between fathers and their children” (Buckley, MaryEllen). Lear portrays the qualities of a kind-hearted man but still has a tendency to jump to conclusions and allows his impulsiveness to get the best of him. Through the dysfunctional relationship between King Lear and his daughters it is evident that Lear’s actions have a toll on his daughters. This is exemplified through King Lear in which favoritism, miscommunication and unquestioning belief can damage an obsessed father’s influences on his children. King Lear demonstrates favoritism between his three daughters, which results in greed and jealousy. No father should favor one child over another, because it causes major dysfunction within the family. “Showing preferential treatment to one child over the other siblings nurtures a kind of jealousy and even hatred in the heart of the one being neglected. And as the experts tell us, this may lead to various psychological and social problems that can last well into adolescence and adulthood”. (Asma Shameem). Regan and Goneril treat their father in a cruel manner due the lack of affection they reieved and the jealousy they harbor towards Cordelia. Through the opening scenes of the play Cordelia is acknowledged as Lear’s most
An individual is the most impressionable throughout the maturing stages of their life, which is why parents are seen as highly influential characters. It is common for a child to share similar qualities or interest as their maternal partner and even inherit their flaws. William Shakespeare’s play King Lear is a tale filled with greed, miscommunication and most importantly the mistreatment of family members. Throughout the play these key elements enhance the way Lear’s behavior influences the actions and mind set of his daughters. “Most Shakespearean criticism concentrates on the rebellious nature of “like father, like daughter relationships”; however, these relationships revealed in the play show similarities and differences between fathers and their children” (Buckley, MaryEllen). Lear portrays the qualities of a kind-hearted man but still has a tendency to jump to conclusions and allows his impulsiveness to get the best of him. Through the dysfunctional relationship between King Lear and his daughters it is evident that Lear’s actions have a toll on his daughters. This is exemplified through King Lear in which favoritism, miscommunication and unquestioning belief can damage an obsessed father’s influences on his children. King Lear demonstrates favoritism between his three daughters, which results in greed and jealousy. No father should favor one child over another, because it causes major dysfunction within the family. “Showing preferential treatment to one child over the other siblings nurtures a kind of jealousy and even hatred in the heart of the one being neglected. And as the experts tell us, this may lead to various psychological and social problems that can last well into adolescence and adulthood”. (Asma Shameem). Regan and Goneril treat their father in a cruel manner due the lack of affection they reieved and the jealousy they harbor towards Cordelia. Through the opening scenes of the play Cordelia is acknowledged as Lear’s most
Cited: Buckley, MaryEllen. "Like Father, like Daughter: The Similarities between Fathers and Daughters in Five Shakespearean Plays." Gradworks.umi.com. Apr. 2009. Web. Heims, Neil, and Harold Bloom. King Lear. New York: Bloom 's Literary Criticism, 2008. Print. Cutts, Ryan. "Parent Child Relationship in King Lear Bookstove." Bookstove Books, Literature. 25 Mar. 2008. Web. Richards, Bailey Shoemaker. "Parent-Child Relationships in King Lear: Shakespeare 's Tragic Tale of Dysfunctional Families." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers ' Network. 22 Aug. 2009. Web. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. A Collection of Great Drama. Ed. Tom Smith. Oxford: Globe Theater Press, 2005. 1235-1298. Print. Shameem, Asma. “Fvoritism Amoung Children.. An Injustice Indeed” In Every Hand, In Every Heart Articles. 21 May 2007. Web.