King Lear - Edmund, Lear, Goneril Regan bring their own downfall.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This common advice directed to the characters of Shakespeare's "King Lear" could completely reverse the outcome of this famous tragedy. King Lear's own vanity results in his ultimate demise. Goneril and Regan bring about their own downfall through their unkindness to almost all others. The very brother whom Edmund betrays returns in the end to destroy his character. It is because each of these characters is too driven by self-interest that they ultimately diminish themselves. To achieve and maintain a harmonious and peaceful kingdom, characters must first concern themselves with others.King Lear begins the play by allowing his ego to come between him and those who truly love him most, which in the end costs him dearly. Lear has his daughters compete for their inheritance by judging who can proclaim their love for him in the grandest possible fashion. Cordelia finds that she is unable to show her love with mere words: "[Aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent." (Shakespeare, I.i.63-64) Cordelia clearly loves her father, and yet realizes that her honesty will not please him. Lear instantly cast his youngest daughter away, referring to her as: "Unfriended, new ado
Edmund's second decision, which proves useless, involves his father. Gloucester tells his son that he intends to side with Lear and France in the upcoming war. Edmund jumps at the opportunity to betray his father, immediately reporting to Goneril and Regan his father's intentions: "This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke instantly know..." (III.iii.22-23) Edmund's further act of deceit results in his fathers blindness. Goneril, Regan, and Cornwall retaliate to Gloucester by removing his eyes; the direct result of Edmund's deceit. It is Edmund's selfish choices that ultimately finish him off. Edgar returns in the end for revenge: "Draw thy sword... To prove upon they heart, whereto I speak, thou liest." (V.iii.127-142) Edgar finishes off Edmund with his sword, bringing to justice all the evil he has caused. It is selfishness that ultimately leads to the downfall of these characters. Lear's determination to rid himself of all responsibilities, while maintaining King status results in his death. The two evil daughter's diminish themselves after countless acts of insidious deceit. Edmund weaves his way through life wholly evil and self-centered, leading to his death. After analyzing "King Lear" we find that selfishness will only bring about our death, only by acts of kindness and concern for other will we survive in a harmonious society. villain, unnatural, detested, brutish villain; worse than brutish!
Some common words found in the essay are:
Goneril Regan, King Lear, Viii127-142 Edgar, Iii80-84 Ruled, King Lear's, Regan Cornwall, Lear Sir, Kent Lear, Ii63-64 Cordelia, Iii128-148 Edmund, goneril regan, lear's ego, king lear, kingdom goneril regan, kingdom goneril, power kingdom goneril, diminish themselves, king lear's, power kingdom, death selfishness, direct result, attaining power kingdom, attaining power,
Approximate Word count = 1204
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
