The Universal Truths of King Lear Essay - 1344 Words

The Universal Truths of King Lear Edgar: O, matter and impertinency mixed, Reason in madness! (4.6.192-93) Reason in madness, truth in suffering, and sight in blindness all contain the same basic meaning. In order to find and recognize our real selves and the truth, we must suffer. These various themes are continually illustrated throughout Shakespeares King Lear. Their effects are not solely felt by Lear and Gloucester. All sincerely good characters in the play must, in some way, suffer before they can gain wisdom and truth. Some characters are made to suffer more, some less. The truths and wisdom gained are what give the drama its substance. These truths are†¦show more content†¦He is no longer writing his own truths. He is forced to see and feel what many feel daily: rejection, deceit, pain, etc. He slowly realizes Cordelia is his only truly loving daughter. He could never realize this if he had not gone mad. His madness brings him to a place where he no longer lives by the same code. In his madness, the truths are not necessarily what he wants them to be. The storm allows him to not only realize Cordelia loves him, but also to come to an understanding of what real love is. He recognizes that Goneril and Regan did not really love him. In the storm, Lear also is able to comprehend that all people suffer. Throughout his entire life he has been the one in control. In losing control to his madness, he no longer has the power to hold off suffering. Without power, Lear is able to learn. Gloucester also learns once he loses his power. The power he loses is the power of sight. In his suffering, he gains knowledge of his sons. He is able to see that Edgar is his true and good son, just as Lear learned to see Cordelia. With his loss of sight, he is also able to see Edmunds evil ways. With his blindness, comes sight, or moreover insight. Gloucester, similarly to Lear, is not used to suffering. He feels his pain is more unbearable than any other. Gloucester: OShow MoreRelatedRole Of A Fool Or Jester During Elizabethan Times1351 Words   |  6 Pagesespecially the King. The fool would sing, dance, make jokes and make a fool of himself. In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the fool has many roles. When Lear banishes Cordelia from his kingdom, the fool in a way takes on Cordelia s role. He is not only a fool, but through his sarcasm and irony, he becomes the king s loyal advocate by pointing out the king’s shortcomings. The fool is the only one who is able to criticize the king of his shortcomings without consequences and is able to abate the king s behaviorRead MoreCharacters in Romeo and Juliet by Williams Shakespeare Essay1024 Words   |  5 Pagesthey suffer, it isn’t their fault, and they blame others. That, according to Shakespeare, is the idiocy of the world. 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Each interpretation of the text extracts and concentrates on certain ideas, issues, themes, values of the play, altering the way the play is received amongst audiences and critics. Shakespeares tragedy King Lear can be interpreted inRead MoreEssay about The Theme of Justice in King Lear1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe Theme of Justice in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent relates to the theme of justice.   Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that allows us to see mans decent into chaos.   Although Lear is perceived as a man more sinned against than sinning (p.62), the treatment of the main characters encourages the reader to reflect on the presence or lack of justice in this world.   The characters also vary in their inclinationRead MoreAllegorical Elements In Macbeth Essay761 Words   |  4 PagesCatholics to bend the truth when speaking to protestant inquisitors. Equivocation resurfaces throughout the play, Macbeth lies and bends in truth in order to justify his action to kill, the witches use metaphor in order disguise the truth. Drama especially in the Jacobean period is an incredible tool that can be used to generate a discussion about wider society. It was a universal art form, allowing all members of society to understand it’s narrative and thus open a discussion King Lear , another of Shakespeare’sRead MoreKing Lear: Themes Essay1613 Words   |  7 PagesKing Lear: Themes Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent relates to the theme of justice. Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that allows us to see mans decent into chaos. Although Lear is perceived as a man more sinned against than sinning (p.62), the treatment of the main characters encourages the reader to reflect on the presence or lack of justice in this world. The characters also vary in their inclination to view the world from either a fatalisticRead MoreBlindness By William Shakespeare s King Lear2212 Words   |  9 PagesMaysoun Deeb Mr. A. T. Lebar EN4UN-04 13 July 2015 King Lear Blindness by definition, according to dictionaries, is â€Å"unable to see and lacking the sense of sight† by which King Lear, the classic tragic play written by William Shakespeare, illustrated the concept of blindness amongst his characters as the leading theme. King Lear and Gloucester were the characters that have been conflicted by this â€Å"blindness† that may or may not change their personalities in the very end of the play. Gloucester becomes