William Shakespeares play King Lear is a dark tragedy. It starts with the King of England, King Lear, handing over his properties to three of his daughters Coneril, Regan and Cordelia. He asks his daughters how much they love him, and base on their answers, Lear will determine who can inherit his properties. The evil daughters Regan and Goneril whom Lear believes truly love him, inherit Lears all properties. However, the innocent daughter Cordelia denies to answer her fathers question and her denial angers him. Finally Lear realizes that he blames Cordelia wrongly, but tragedy has already occurred. Edmund, who is a jealous, greedy and cruel character, is the main cause of the tragedy. He is a bastard son of Earl of Gloucester, and his characteristics are driven by envy and possessions. .
Edmund and Edgar are Gloucesters sons, but Edmund is the illegitimate son and Edgar is the lawful son. Gloucester often feels embarrassed and shameful to admit that Edmund is a bastard.
Gloucester "His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed tot."( 1.1.8-10).
Edmund is jealous of his brother Edgar because Edgar can inherit Gloucester's power and properties after he dies. He feels annoyed and unfair that he is less worthy than Edgar merely because he is a bastard. He is trying to prove that the qualifications of inheriting should not be the divine order, but the child's abilities. He believes that he is more intelligent to receive the inheritance rather than Edgar, but because he is illegitimate, he cannot inherit his fathers title. As a result, he tells himself to be stronger in order to have whatever he wants. .
Edmund "Lag of a brother? Why bastard? Wherefore base, when my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous, and my shape as true, As honest madam's issue?"(1.2.6-8).
Edmund "Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, And my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top th legitimate.
Has this been your interpretation after reading King Lear? The characters Gonerill, Regan and Edmund could be categorised as the cruelest in Shakespeare's play, King Lear. ... The end of King Lear however, sees Gonerill, Regan and Edmund all dead. ... King Lear an honest but old aged King, suffered immensely from his daughters" cruel ways. ... The ending of King Lear sees Albany and Edgar save the day. ...
Significance of the Subplot in King Lear In an attempt to universalize the travesties endured by the protagonist and tragic hero, Shakespeare incorporates a significant subplot into King Lear. Although the focus clearly lies on the tragic plight of King Lear, the secondary plot involving Gloucester and his offspring mirrors and dramatizes Lear's hopeless situation. ... I love your majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less" (William Shakespeare, King Lear [New York: Penguin Books, 1999, Act I, scene i, lines 91-93.] ... In an effective attempt to universalize King Lear's dil...
William Shakespeare's King Lear displays many instances of transfer of power throughout this play. ... The play shows the betrayal and trust of characters in King Lear. ... The play starts out with King Lear giving his power to his two daughters, Regan and Goneril. ... Goneril also displays her careless attitude for King Lear right after Regan. ... One example from King Lear that displays this second theme is when Goneril and Regan take the power and abuse King Lear to insanity. ...
Derek Standarowski 2/1/03 AP English King Lear Many critics often interpret King Lear, one of Shakespeare's timeless classics, as a journey to self-awareness. ... In King Lear, both Lear and Gloucester have to suffer extraordinarily; this suffering, however, leads to growth and ultimately to self-awareness. ... King Lear's hot temper and hasty decisions contribute significantly to his path of suffering. ... King Lear is no longer concerned with flattery and money, but with the truth and love. ... When Gloucester confides in Edmund and his plans to aid Lear, Edmund seizes the ...
The story of King Lear is one of William Shakespeare's most prized and cherished works. ... Edgar plays a critical role in Act 5 of King Lear. ... (King Lear, 24.151-152)" and "Most monstrous! ... (King Lear, 24.155). ... (King Lear, 23.8)", Edgar was able to convince and persuade him to carry on. ...
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... One where two evil daughters help banish a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... Edmund responds,Nothing, my lord.? ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... One where two evil daughters help banishes a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... Edmund responds,Nothing, my lord.? ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
Astrological imagery and references about the power of nature are prevalent throughout King Lear. ... It is significant to point out and compare the superstitious beliefs of the characters in King Lear to indicate just how deeply ingrained these tendencies were in the mindsets of Elizabethan citizenry. King Lear was a British king who reigned before the Roman period. ... In King Lear, astrology is used in a broader context and with a lot of effect. ... But Edmund does not realize that he is actually playing right into the hands of astrology when he acts against his brother, father and the Ki...
King Lear is a play that illustrates this poignant theme in brutal reality. ... At the beginning of the play, we see Lear as a proud, vain, and rash old king, not necessarily evil, but not good either. ... Shakespeare has transformed Lear from a rash and egotistical old king into a more kindly and sympathetic character. ... Blindness in King Lear is the inability to see past deception and see people for the way they truly are. ... King Lear was blinded and unable to see Regan and Goneril for their true character. ...
King Lear is not only a story of the trials and tribulations of the parent-child relationship, but also one of love, hate, honor and betrayal. ... Among many more lines, King Lear presents the notion of natural law, that man is ordained by the stars as to what and how he will be, and that is our destiny to be what we are. ... A thief can be nothing but a thief, and king none other than a king. ... Cordellia is banished for being honest with Lear, Kent is banished for revealing his objection to Lear's actions, and Gloucester has his eyes gouged out for being loyal to Lear, while Edmund...