In this paper, I will examine an extract from King Lear written by William Shakespeare. I will analyse how the playwright illustrates the characterisation of Lear in terms of his use of the word "need" through Lear's self-realisation speech.
             Having given away his kingdom, Lear is mentally crushed by the treachery and inhuman treatment he has suffered with Goneril and Regan. He starts to reason himself for his need makes sense. As he says," O, reason not the need. Our basest beggars Are in the poorest thing superfluous." (Line 260-261) The word "poorest" is contrasted with the word "superfluous". Lear realises though beggars are poor, they have something necessary to survive and that is already "superfluous", more than what is needed for them.
             Then Lear continues,"Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man's life is cheap as beast's". (Line 262-263) This shows the division between human and animals need. If human nature is not allowed more than is needed by animal nature then human life is worth the same as an animal's life. When both Goneril and Regan do not provide the physical needs of basic necessity for Lear by reducing him to homelessness, they have made their father's life in equality with an animal's life.
             Lear also mentions another physical need and that is clothing. He says to his daughters," 'If only to go warm were gorgeous, Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st, Which scarcely keeps thee warm." (Line 264-265) Lear is reasoning with them human basic need to wear clothes is to keep them warm. Therefore, it is not necessary for them to wear the gorgeous apparel they are wearing then.
             After realising the notion of physical needs, Lear also realises the essential of human life, the spiritual need. He asks the god to give him patience. He says, "patience I need!" (Line 267) Lear realise
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