Man More Sinn
" I am a man more sinned against than sinning," this is Lear's evaluation of himself when he is at his weakest. To sin is to contravene the rules of God, as this play is set in times before the church played an active role in running the state the king was the only one who could say what is wrong or right. This quotation is derived from the storm scene in Act 3 Scene 2. Before we accept this we must take into account his condition. His two eldest daughters who earlier expressed a "love that makes breath poor and speech unable" and professed to be, "an enemy to all other joys", have just rejected him. He sees his suffering as being sinned against. Although the statement itself reminds us of "Which of you should we say doth love us most," we see he has improved into at least acknowledging that he has sinned. He also is able to accept the fool's truthful but painful remarks about how foolish he has been; we can compare this with his earlier prejudice in act 1 scene 1 when similar statements from Kent and Cordelia lead to their banishments. Of Lear's character arrogance and vanity are his fatal flaws that pave the way for his downfall from grace. Even before his opening scene we hear the words of his subjects, "I thought the king h
Even Regan acknowledges her fathers foolishness, "Such unconstant stars are we like to have from him as this of Kent's banishment," as Kent is exiled. Amongst the abyss of the "gilded butterflies," Lear does not see through the immorality of the truth telling Cordelia as he clearly disowns and disinherits her, "Here I disclaim all my parental care," and, "thy truth can be thy dower." Sadly this moment is short-lived as Edmund orders Cordelia's execution immediately after having killed both her sisters. Goneril and Regan's true colours show when Lear comes to visit them and is cast out into the storm with the reply, "This house is little/the old man and's people cannot be well bestowed." Gloucester is only subject to this because of his blind support of Lear. This shows how Lear is indirectly targeted through his subjects. Fates answer to Lear's wreathed odyssey is imprisonment with his one true happiness in his life, Cordelia. It is ironic that the one who had "nothing" to offer to him at the start comes back to pay heed to her estranged father. Even Goneril and Regan do not understand why he seems so happy. We finally see evidence of Lear's improving condition his meaning of love has dramatically changed and his once so important affairs of court are now left to the "poor rogues" to discus
Some common words found in the essay are:
Goneril Regan's, Goneril Regan, , Albany Cornwall, Edmund Cordelia's, Lear Lear, Kent Cordelia, Lear Overall, sinned sinning, goneril regan's, scene hear, goneril regan, doth love,
Approximate Word count = 883
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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