" Such disregard for the kingdom is a mere blasphemy of a king. ... " The noblemen of his court opposed to such statements of the King. ... Here, the irresponsible, immature and weak king undergoes a complete transformation, as he emerges before the audience as a tragic hero in his understanding of the worthlessness of a king stripped off power, much like the King in King Lear. ... The King metamorphosized to his spiritual self as he expresses the tragic condition of a king remaining the titular head of his kingdom but in imprisonment in his own kingdom. ... What, fear you not the fu...

• Word Count: 949
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

As the suffering outcast whose daughter cannot reciprocate his affection, Henchard is far grander--and far more sympathetic--than the leader of the town council at the King Arms' dinner. ... Like Shakespeare's King Lear, even in his youth Henchard is one who but scantily knows himself (Hardy's phrase is "introspective inflexibility"), and permits his passions, especially the desire to save face in the furmity vendor's tent, to overwhelm his common sense. ...

• Word Count: 1167
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate