King Lear - Power corrupts
Power is the ability to manipulate and control whatever one desires; to do what one pleases to do without answering to authority. The power that corrupts the characters plays an extensive role throughout Shakespeare's play, King Lear. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power that Lear offers them. Edmund's corruption comes from the trust of his father. Absolute power corrupts absolutely with the characters, because once have full control, they are so cold that they will do anything to keep the power - or to gain more. The quest for power corrupts, but when absolute power is attained, treachery and deceit is the only path to take.The power that Lear gives to Goneril and Regan makes them treacherous and deceitful. Lear offers his land to his daughters - Goneril and Regan - but in return they must profess their love for him: "which of you shall we say doth love us most, that we our largest bounty may extend." (1, 1, 56-57) By doing this, Lear gives an opportunity for his daughters to take advantage of him. Goneril "loves [him] more than words can wield the matter' (1, 1, 60) and the same goes for Regan saying, "[Goneril] comes too short, that [she] prof
When power it obtained it corrupts, when absolute power is achieved then there is no other way to go besides perversion. Lear gives Goneril and Regan their power and craves for more, and will go to any means to get it. Edmund craves power and goes to any means to get it; by plotting against his father and brother. Absolute power corrupts these characters because their quest for power leaves them with treachery and deceit. When given in moderation power is controlled; when given in excess, power becomes a corrupter. The power that makes Edmund corrupt is trust. He uses the trust to manipulate and control his father for the benefit of himself. He frames his brother by composing a false letter to his father implicating a plot to kill Gloucester, that when "our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue forever." (1, 2, 55-56) Gloucester replies with "this villain of mine comes under the prediction of mine: there's son against father" (1, 2, 112-117) This shows that Gloucester had great faith and trust in his son Edgar. To better his plan he goes to Edgar and convinces him to run away. The thought that he would frame his own brothe
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Approximate Word count = 784
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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