Introduction to “King Lear”
”King Lear” is one of the most famous and significant works of William Shakespeare. It explores the major issues of humanity and power, relationships within a family, and the effects of the madness. This play was probably written in the late 16th century, specifically between the years 1605 to 1606.
The plot of the play revolves around the aging King Lear who chooses to divide the kingdom among his three daughters depending on their sweet talk which brings about the suffering of the king and the destruction of his family and kingdom. Due to its intricate plot and the complexity of characters, “King Lear” raises issues of power, betrayal, justice and redemption, which are major concerns of the human society even today.
Themes in “King Lear”
1- Authority and Power
Power is one of the most important theme in “King Lear”. The play shows the relations of the power within the family, the state and the consequences of the improper usage of the power.
“Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee, from this, for ever.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
In this scene, King Lear in a fit of anger banishes his daughter Cordelia for not praising him excessively. This arbitrary misuse of his royal power causes a chain of events that leads to his fall from power. The ways in which Lear’s decision making skills are impaired due to his stubbornness and inadequate understanding of his children’s selfishness is made evident through his decision to abdicate the throne and divide the kingdom according to affection.
2- Madness
The issue of madness in the play is also significant. It depicts the mental disorder of Lear as well as fake madness of Edgar. The play reflects that madness is an effect of suffering and at the same time a way of attaining the truth and the self.
“O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven;
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad!” (Act 1, Scene 5)
Here, Lear pleads for his sanity as he starts to have the feeling that he is gradually going insane. It is his steady decline into insanity that portrays the struggle and the loss of the identity of the main character after stepping down from power. Thus, throughout the play, Lear’s madness serves as a device that allows him to perceive his personal failures and the general theme of suffering.
3- Betrayal and Deception
Deception and betrayal are dominating themes of “King Lear”, being present in the actions and relationships of the characters. There is a strongly pronounced tendency to betrayal throughout the play, with characters being unfaithful to each other even within the family, which shows the weakness of trustful relations.
“This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune—often the surfeits of our own behavior—we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
Edmund, who is the illegitimate son of Gloucester, demonstrates his rebellion against the conventional methods by plotting to overthrow his father and brother. His intrigues and betrayal by his wife are are the play’s exploration, which depict the effects of deceit.
4- Justice and Injustice
In “King Lear”, justice and injustice is revealed as an essential theme dealing with the possibilities of divine justice and the moral order of the universe. The problem of suffering which is regarded as unjust is one of the prevailing themes that engage characters of the play in reflection.
“As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport.” (Act 4, Scene 1)
After being blinded and betrayed, Gloucester observes the injustice of the gods, and the irrationality of the world. This quote sums up the topic of ‘cosmic injustice’, which suggests that human suffering of man is random and meaningless.
5- Family and Filial Ingratitude
Family relationships and especially betrayal of one’s parents are an essential topic in the tragedy “King Lear”. The play focuses on the duty that children owe their parents and how they should behave towards them.
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!” (Act 1, Scene 4)
Lear’s words and howling passionate monologue in the presence of his daughters, especially when he says he feels betrayed by his own blood, Goneril and Regan, emphasize the feeling of suffering and betrayal combined with the loss of trust and even identity. This theme shows the dysfunctional nature and the consequences of severed family relations and the expectations of parental authority.
Quotes in “King Lear”
Quote#1
“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” (Act 3, Scene 2)
This is a quote from the play, King Lear, during the storm on the heath. It reflects the internal conflict in Lear and his hurt and anger at his daughters. The storm has an underlying message of the turbulence in Lear’s mind and the natural environment challenging the instability in the kingdom. Lear’s command to the elements to rage reflects the storms of his own soul and his decent into insanity.
Quote#2
“I am a man More sinned against than sinning.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
Lear’s assertion that ‘I am a man more sinned against than sinning’, affirms how Lear views himself as suffering infelicities than the ones he has inflicted. It reveals his inability to accept his imperfections as the father equally. It portrays him as a victim of the daughter’s ill deeds. The quote defines the idea of justice as well as embodiment of Lear’s character throughout the piece.
Quote#3
“The wheel is come full circle: I am here.” (Act 5, Scene 3)
The quote uttered by Edmund, reflects the rise and fall of his life. The symbol of ‘wheel’ has been used to depict the circles of life conveying the idea of chance and destiny. Nevertheless, in the Novel Edmund succeed at the beginning by lying and betraying; however, the reality later strikes him. This quote emphasizes the question of justice and retribution which is voiced in the play for those who seeks power through unethical means.
See also: Themes in Slaughterhouse-Five
Quote#4
“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.” (Act 4, Scene 6)
Lear exemplifies an extremely pessimistic view on the nature of life and the folly of mankind. The phrase, “great stage of fools” is an indication of how Lear feels regarding life, and the foolishness he sees in the people. The quote indicates the theme of madness and the final vision of the hopeless and cruel of the world which Lear comes to.
Quote#5
“The weight of this sad time we must obey, Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” (Act 5, Scene 3)
Edgar utters these words in the last scene of the play. The line focuses on the themes of truth and sincerity in human relationships because of the disastrous events that happened. It draws attention to the truth and falsehood to assert that the true feeling is crucial during the times of mourning and introspection.
Summary of “King Lear“
King Lear is the tragic play and includes the powerful aspects of kingship, madness, treason, and kinship. The King decides to distribute his kingdom among his three daughters namely Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, but on condition of the extent of their love for their father. Goneril and Regan start flattering their father, whereas Cordelia refuses to do so, consequently the King Banished her. This decision marks the beginning of a series of events that lay the foundation to Lear’s tragic fate and the ultimate destruction of his family and kingdom at large.
When Lear relinquishes his sovereignty, he finds himself stripped of his power and dignity by his two daughters, to whom he trusted the most. Goneril and Regan betray their father, which causes his madness. Similarly, Gloucester (a noble man and loyal support of King Lear) is deceived by his illegitimate son Edmund by telling that his legitimate son Edgar is a traitor.
in the end, the main and the subplot have a bitter ending and intermingle with each other. Cordelia comes back with an army to save her father, but they are killed and Cordelia is hanged. Lear who is a non-speaking role here and does not utter a word to anyone dies of grief shortly thereafter. The evil character, Edmund is also brought to his knees by Edgar, while Goneril and Regan turn against one another for Edmund, thus both of them are killed.
”King Lear” ends on the reflection of the fragility of human nature, the consequences of pride and madness, and the tragic inevitability of suffering and loss. It serves as a great depiction of the human nature’s evil side, making the readers feel the despair and the struggles of people’s connections.
See also: Themes in Life of Pi
