King Lear Character is Destiny
"Character is destiny" is a dominant theme that often appears in Shakespearean tragedy. In the play, King Lear this concept is portrayed through the characters of King Lear, Gloucester, and Edmund. The characteristics and the roles that each of the characters have within the society of the play determine the treatment that they receive from other characters as well as their destiny. 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
For Edmund, his bonds to other people are based on business rather than emotion. 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". This can be observed through his view of his father and brother, "A credulous father and a brother noble. " When Lear is reduced to nothing, exposed to the harsh elements of nature and forced to regret his actions, he descends into mental solitude and insanity. Gloucester is affectionate in his actions towards his two sons and towards Lear. In Shakespearean tragedy, character often dictates destiny. Gloucester dies at the end of the play because he has suffered a lot and because his weak character finally dominates over him. Edmund demonstrates strong examples of courage, strength of will, and egoism. (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. This reveals his gullible, generous, and unsuspicious nature. " (I, ii,98-102) Gloucester's hasty nature can be observed through his quick judgments against Edgar. This scene demonstrates that Lear has lost everything due to his irrational reasoning, his gullible nature, and his inability to see human limitations.
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