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True power is defined as self-awareness and self-control. Shakespeare portrays this idea through symbolic blindness and parallel structuring between characters. King Lear personifies the absence of personal power at the beginning of the play as he creates a “love contest” between his daughters, revealing his need for flattery to affirm his position. It is through his lack of self-awareness that he is vulnerable to manipulation and deception despite his initial authoritative power. Kent, Lear’s loyal companion who himself has personal power, attempts to help Lear “see” through his ego: “when majesty falls to folly...” he proclaims (1.1.144). The characters of Lear and Gloucester, both fathers, are parallel: eventually, Gloucester's eyes are plucked out in Act 3 Scene 7, in which characterises a literal and metaphorical blindness symbolic of his inability to "see" the truth about his children, like Lear. Towards the end, Lear states “I have too long taken notice of this” and it is through Edgar, Gloucester’s true son and Kent in disguise, that they come to a realisation. Edgar and Kent are the true characters with personal power that guide Lear into breaking through the “blindness” that has been as a result of his ego and avarice. We gain an understanding that true power is not a measurement of the authority or control one has over others but the control one has over one’s self.…
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Shakespeare informs the reader of the modifications needed in society to prevent capitalism from overthrowing the traditional aristocratic ways. Through Goneril and Regan, the dangers of bourgeoisies and proteltarists are evident and the negative effects they cause. With the differing social orders, lineage becomes trivial. Blood no longer matters and wealth depends heavily on market exchange. Scholars highlight the difficulties and dangers of utopian concepts, especially when they are centered on bourse. He discusses the many social climbers who attempt to behave badly to gain status from the new capitalist power. The conflict between the idea of human liberty and the traditional order is resolved in the play by transforming the king into an item of pathos. By “humanising” the king, Shakespeare is able to fuse together the two ideas regarding absolutist authority and individual…
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However in Shakespearean times, it was accepted that that the King ruled by Divine Right. The absolute monarch ruled in a time of strong patriarchal values and a rigid social structure, what was seen as natural order. King Lear reflects the absolute authority of the monarch through the division of his kingdom. Metaphorically this is shown through the division of his own crown- “beloved sons…this coronet part between you”. This action alone is outside the social expectations, where men did not consider pass their wealth or power until they died. The King’s authority is paramount is shown through the personification of Lear’s nature as stated- “come not between the dragon and his wrath”, when Kent tries to oppose his decision to banish his daughter, Cordelia. A ruler, particularly one with absolute power, must be wise, a trait that King Lear does not possess. Lear is blind to people’s true character he sees things in superficial terms. The repetition used in the line “nothing will come of nothing”, and continually thereafter in the play demonstrates the superficiality that surrounds his world. Those in positions of power must have self-knowledge, which Lear fails to demonstrate. Remarks such as- “See better Lear”, establish the motif of eyes and blindness. From our western democratic perspective we no longer subscribe to the belief in absolute power. King Lear reflects the danger of one man having absolute authority, a concept which remains…
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The relationship between characters throughout all of William Shakespeare’s plays can transcend time and relate to audiences today. In the case of King Lear, the themes of family dysfunction, justice and the battle between good and evil have all remained very powerful. Since the original production by the king’s men in 1606 the play has been interpretated in a wide range of contexts. The experience of an audience can be greatly shaped by the direction of a production, with different productions tending to attempt to promote selected themes more than others. Two diverse productions are Richard Eyres 1998 film interpretation portrayed as a family drama focused on the themes of family dysfunction contrasting with Peter Brooks 1971 Nihilistic black…
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The strength of the powerplay used in Shakespeare’s play ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ becomes evident in many different situations as characters assert themselves over others to create the outcome they desire. In ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ this dominance is displayed in multiple relationships, however the two main power struggles exist between Antony and Cleopatra in their relationship and Antony and Caesar in their struggle to gain power. This use of power to control another eventually ends in tragedy with the deaths of both Antony and Cleopatra and in the process their devoted servants.…
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William Shakespeare tragedy, “King Lear”, was written in Jacobean times (1606) yet set in an ancient Britain approximately 750 years earlier. It conveys, through Shakespeare stagecraft and dramatic language, how the intense relationships which emerge from a monarchical society can become confused and damaged. The eponymous King Lear and his connections with his youngest daughters, Cordelia, and court Jester, the fool, are dramatized effectively to entrance audience throughout the centuries, as this essay will now discuss.…
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While examining Lear and Gloucester, there are obvious similarities, such as that they are both of an older generation with evident power and authority. Both have children wishing to overthrow them through mendacity and false assurance. These two characters relate in a much more symbolic way that reveals insight into their foolishness and naïve sense of entitlement. Lear and Gloucester are symbolically blind to the fact that their children wish to acquire their power for selfish purposes. Edmund, Gloucester’s son without a mother, falsifies his commitment to his half-brother, Edward, when he says “I hope for my brother’s justification, he wrote this but as an essay of my taste of my virtue,” (Act 1 Scene 2) and Goneril, Lear’s daughter, has him believe she genuinely loves him when she says “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter,” (Act 1 Scene 1). These instances lead to Lear and Gloucester’s imprudent decisions to act on matters that deserve more substantial evidence. “Gloucester reacts exactly like Lear, displacing his favor onto an unworthy recipient” (Storozynsky). Neither can see their children for who they truly are, which make it seems as if they the necessities to make rational decisions, hence being “blind”.…
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King Lear, by William Shakespeare, is a tragic tale of filial conflict, personal transformation, and loss. The story revolves around the King who foolishly alienates his only truly devoted daughter and realizes too late the true nature of his other two daughters. A major subplot involves the illegitimate son of Gloucester, Edmund, who plans to discredit his brother Edgar and betray his father. With these and other major characters in the play, Shakespeare clearly asserts that human nature is either entirely good, or entirely evil. Some characters experience a transformative phase, where by some trial or ordeal their nature is profoundly changed. We shall examine Shakespeare's stand on human nature in King Lear by looking at specific characters in the play: Cordelia who is wholly good, Edmund who is wholly evil, and Lear whose nature is transformed by the realization of his folly and his descent into madness.…
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The analysis of contradicting elements present in literature can lead to remarkable improvements regarding the understanding of human nature. William Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear, contains an abundance of paradoxes that present the protagonist of the title as a dynamic character with opposing traits. Lear embodies a loving authority figure and parent while at the same time being portrayed as a hateful, neglected individual with the demeanor of a child. The side of him which is most evident varies according to the situation he encounters, but each of these features is visible throughout the play.…
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The complex order of society must be maintained in order to aid the prevention of the potentially fatal consequences of the disruption of order. Shakespeare’s obsession with the disruption of order is evident in King Lear, the most obvious form being Political division which comes with horrific consequences. As King Lear announces that he has “divided in three” his kingdom the reaction of the characters along with the events that follow highlight Lear’s error. The division and chaos enlighten us to the corruption of political order not only relevant to Shakespearian politics but also to the corruption of modern society. Repetition reinforces the idea of division and banishment as the play proceeds. Cosmic order and feelings of fear and uncertainty are mirrored in the powerful motif and moving imagery of the storm in Act III. Lear describes his might and power through the metaphor of the “dragon” which provides a clear understanding of his hubris and arrogance. Throughout the play King Lear is stripped of his authority and is pulled downwards in the chain of being. This sudden change in hierarchy leads Lear to question “Is man no more than this?” the impact of the rhetorical question compels the audience to contemplate the order of nature and humanity’s place among it. It allows the audience to contemplate what humanity would become without status, power and material possessions or if civilisation were to be completely eliminated. It challenges the notion that humans possess qualities that separate us from animals.…
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Shakespeare’s texts King Richard III explores humanities susceptibility to temptations of evil and how the lust for power and authority can lead to the degradation of the soul. The reflection of context within the texts is paramount as it enables individuals to shape a rich understanding of how Pacino’s docu-drama is able to re-iterate and adopt ideas presented in Shakespeare’s play. In King Richard III the obsessive desire for power is highlighted through the rhetoric questioning of the permanence of power “shall we wear these glories for a day?” to serve as the central motivation for Richard and catalyst for the social chaos and downfall of the York’s. His inner turmoil compounds in his self-destructive nature where Richard uses trickery in order to achieve his evil motives and endeavours to usurp the throne is emphasised through the internal conflict that Richard faces. Shakespeare further consolidates this notion of evil by accentuating Richard’s physical deformity conveyed through the…
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Shakespeare’s King Lear is a Jacobean play that explores numerous themes of destruction, loyalty and natural law that were so prominent in his context. In the play Gloucester has a bastard son whose character reflects his immoral conception and who actively resents the limitations of his birth. While Jacobean England was undergoing numerous social changes because of factors such as increased trade, greater education and a forming middle class, Edmund represents the limitations in social mobility still apparent at the time and his resentment of this. “I grow; I prosper. Now, gods, stand up for bastards!” (1.2) The Renaissance brought about new notions of human potential during it’s exploration of the past and in the play the Fool is the best example of this. Ironically, he is the most insightful character in the play, making sound observations about King Lear and human nature. The full purpose of the Fool is to stress Lear’s poor judgment, to contribute to the themes of appearance versus reality and the tragedy of life, and to elicit pathos and humour out of Lear’s madness.…
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King Lear By: Bryce Romeo King Lear: Loyalty and Betrayal In William Shakespeare’s play, “King Lear”, the reader will see many juxtapositions throughout the scenes.…
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Shakespeare's King Lear is a play which shows the consequences of one man's decisions. The audience follows the main character, Lear, as he makes decisions that disrupt order in his Kingdom. When Lear surrenders all his power and land to his daughters as a reward for their demonstration of love towards him, the breakdown on order in evident. Lear's first mistake is to divide his Kingdom into three parts. A Kingdom is run best under one ruler as only one decision is made without contradiction. Another indication that order is disrupted is the separation of Lear's family. Lear's inability to control his anger causes him to banish his youngest daughter, Cordelia, and loyal servant, Kent. This foolish act causes Lear to become vulnerable to his other two daughters as they conspire against him. Lastly, the transfer of power from Lear to his eldest and middle daughter, Goneril and Regan, reveals disorder as a result of the division of the Kingdom. A Kingdom without order is a Kingdom in chaos. When order is disrupted in King Lear, the audience witnesses chaotic events that Lear endures, eventually learning who truly loves him.…
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Sacrifices are usually made for the greater good; yet, in Edmund’s case, his sacrifices were his undoing. In The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare, the reader sees how Gloucestor’s love was blinded to Edmund’s flaws, which were cleverly hidden under fraudeulent flatter, supercilious smiles, and a dashingly handsome brow. Edmund sacrifices his relationship with his father, his friendship with Edgar, and even Gloucester’s life to obtain the wealthy, powerful title he felt he had always deserved. Edmund’s betrayal throughout The Tragedy of King Lear shows that no only does Edmund value his personal success more than anything else, but also how power-hunger can kill leaders and dishonest can destroy…
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