Themes from Leading Men The act of creating and developing a character called characterization not only establishes a character, but serves as a means for the author to reveal the themes of the play. A literary character is the invention of the author, and often inventions are indebted to prior inven-tions(Kirsch 236). Therefore, through characterization many common themes repeat with in an author's literary col-lection. Shakespeare is the inventor of many characters and throughout his plays themes often reappear. Macbeth and King Lear, two of Shakespeare's tragedies, exemplify this technique. The protagonists of these two plays, Mac-beth and King Lear, by means of their actions, thoughts and words reveal a theme to the audience. Shakespeare has many portraits of madness among his characters, and he returns to the theme again and again. Indirect characterization in the form of Lear's mad speeches allows Shakespeare to convey the theme of madness. For example one of Lear's first speeches after wit begin to turn, Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, How shall your house-hold heads and unfed sides,Your loop'd and window'd rag-gedness, defend you...(III.iv.35-38). Lear's insanity in-creases over the course of the play, demonstrated to the audience through more speeches, until his emotions over-throw his reason at the climax of the play. Lear erratic-ally shouts in to the storm, Rumble thy bellyfull! Spit, fire! Spout, rain! Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness. I never gave you kingdom, called you children(III.ii.14-17). The example of Lear invoking the storm to destroy the seeds of matter along with many other absurd statements il-lustrates that he has an unsound mind and it is made clear to the audience by his words. Shakespeare expands on the theme of madness in King Lear by Lear again using his words to express the reason for his...