King Lear's Emotional Stages

A detailed Summary of King Lear's Emotional Stages

Throughout the play King Lear, Shakespeare portrays King Lear as a

normal human being with a very complex and fragile character. In this very

sentimental play, Shakespeare places Lear through the worst anguish of his

life (Bruhl 312). The anguish Lear goes through helps him finally realize that

human nature is not always loving, caring, and giving as his kingship

disguises him to think. One may describe the mental states Lear goes through

as myriad mental states. Throughout the play Lear reaches many realizations

through his mistakes and symbolic madness, people's wrong doings toward

him, and his return to sanity through redemptive salvation.

Lear makes many mistakes at the end of his lifetime. The want of an

untroubled life of second childhood without the responsibilities of a well

respected king is the main mistake Lear makes. The slippage of his self-

image finally causes him to go mad (Dominic 233). Before Lear goes mad he

realizes the state in which he is turning when he states, "My wits begin to

turn."( III.ii.67). Lear's suffering is primarily mental and

and redemptive salvation. Lear's struggle portrays man's struggle through life

to his daughters' love. The second stage is a descent into madness causing his

Siegel, Paul N. Shakespearean Tragedy and the Elizabethan Compromise.

Regan throws him out in the storm (Bruhl 317). The main mistakes appears "

And thou are twice her love.

her forgiveness for his rage. God then rescues the souls of Lear and Cordelia

because it comes from the two people he thought loved him more than any

Approximate Word count = 749
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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