King Lear Essays (512 words) - King Lear, British Films, Films

King Lear King Lear, in Shakespeare's tragic play, goes through drastic changes as a man, both father and king. He is forced to face the problems he causes when he turns over the kingdom to his two evil daughters Regan and Goneril. Lear's tragic flaw is his inability to see the true nature of people because of his pride and anger. This causes him to override his judgement. This is best shown when he disowns his most truthful and loyal daughter Cordelia. He much prefers his elder daughters Regan and Goneril because he liked their shameless flattering of him. He shows that he does not truly know his daughters, because he has never taken the time to. Lear will eventually lose his sanity, due to being mistreated by the two daughters to which he entrusted his entire kingdom. The King's loyal servant Kent, confronts the king about his decision to divide the kingdom between Regan and Goneril, and the banishing of Cordelia from the kingdom. Kent tries to make Lear see the error of his ways. Lear however is too stubborn and he in turn banishes Kent from the kingdom for questioning his authority. This shows Lear to be an egomaniacal power-hungry fool. The King moves in with Goneril and she tries to take away some of Lear's servants which infuriates him. He curses Goneril, and goes running to Regan. Lear is so blind to the fact that Regan and Goneril are conspiring against him, that he assumes that Regan will welcome him with open arms. When Lear finally does figure out that Regan shares the same feelings as Goneril, he is hesitant to confront her because he has nowhere left to go. Lear is rendered powerless when his daughters both attempt to reduce his servants to zero. Lear begins to go insane at this point. Lear begins to change after he goes mad. He starts to realize his par mistakes. Lear realizes he cannot control what is going on around him. He begins to acknowledge his wrongdoings. He contemplates things he has never had to think about before, such as shelter from the storm. The character Poor Tom probably has the greatest impact on Lear. Lear begins to become concerned with the homeless. Up until this point Lear has been as self-centered as a small child. He now begins to show compassion and a deeper understanding of those around him. When Lear finally meets up with Cordelia toward the end of the play, he begins to regain his sanity. He tries to bond with her, but it is too late. Cordelia will be hanged and die. Lear not fully realizes where he has gone wrong in his life. He is left heart-broken to die. In closing, I think that in Shakespeare's King Lear, Lear underwent major changes. He goes from being self-centered, egotistical, and power-hungry to being compassionate, generous, and self-aware. I do feel however that these changes came a little bit too late because by the time Lear had fully evolved he died. Shakespeare Essays