In the play, Lear demonstrates various characteristics that can be classified as his tragic flaws. In the opening scene, Lear's irrational basis for distributing the kingdom between his daughters reveals that he is accustomed to hypocrisy, that he is quick tempered, that he is impatient, and that he is unaware of human limitation. By asking his daughters to publicly display their love towards him, he reveals that he is accustomed to flattery. This also demonstrates that he is proud of his ability to exercise his will quickly and effectively. A.C Bradely comments on this tragic flaw by stating that "A long life of absolute power, in which he as been flattered to the top of his bent, has produced in him that blindness to human limitation and that presumptuous self will" . In the opening act, King Lear also demonstrates his quick tempered nature throu

gh the disowning of Cordelia and the banishment of Kent. When Lear does not hear what he expected from Cordelia, he disowns her as his daughter without any rational thoughts. This demonstrates that he is accustomed to exercising his will. It also demonstrates that he believes that through his position as a monarch, he can even command human emotions such as love. In addition, when Lear hears what he expects from Goneril and Regan, he rewards them with a large portion of his kingdom. This reveals his gullible, generous, and unsuspicious nature. Overall, Lear's characteristics are revealed in the first Act of the play. He is accustomed to exercising his will freely, he is gullible, unsuspicious, and is blind of human limitations. These characteristics are his tragic flaws that later lead to his destiny.

Gloucester's characteristics lead to his destiny at the end of the play. His credulous and hasty judgments against Edgar, his superstitious nature, and his weak characteristics result in his death at the end of the play. Gloucester's death is the result of physical as well as emotional anguish that he experiences as a result of Edmund's actions against him. Gloucester's soft and gullible characteristics are perfectly suited towards Edmund's purposes. Edmund is able to use Gloucester's characteristics to his advantage and to leave Gloucester blind and emotionally drained. Gloucester's credulous character helps Edmund to gain his father's land and trust. It also helps Edmund to establish a conflict between his father and Edgar. In addition, Gloucester's superstitious beliefs are also used by Edmund to further the conflict between his father and his brother when describing Edgar as, "Have stood in the dark, his sharp sword out, mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon to proves auspicious mistress". (II, I, 37-39) Because of Gloucester's credulous, hasty, and superstitious character, Edmund is able to cause physical as well as emotional strain on his father. The strain that Gloucester experiences eventually results in his death because he dies at the end of the play out of exhaustion. Gloucester dies at the end of the play because he has suffered a lot and because his weak character finally dominates over him. Therefore, character is destiny is demonstrated

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Approximate Word count = 1535
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)