When William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear is read one can not help but notice the depth of the play. By using subtle and descriptive characterization Shakespeare is able to create a character that his audience can feel for. Furthermore, with these characters one can come to the conclusion that punishment and death arise from evil deeds.
             Throughout the play many evil deeds are committed. The characters Goneril, Regan, and Edmund kill and injure in the quest for power. These evil ambitions shock the audience and have a direct effect on other characters. Gloucester says "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport."(Act IV, scene I, lines 37-38). We see here that in his despair Gloucester no longer believes in justice or morality. To an audience member this is sign of the depth of how evil the villain's actions are. Finally, in Act V retaliation is shown. All the villains are killed along with the good. When one sees the image of Cordelia, one of the most beloved characters dead it is very upsetting. The impact of the good dieing along with the evil instills that evil is a damaging force. Punishment and death can not be avoided if evil deeds are committed.
             The characters play an important role in instilling the theme to the audience. Goneril and Regan serve as the villains. Ambitions cause them to turn on family and eventually turn on themselves. Their actions are so evil that one can not even see them as human. While reading the play one has no sympathy for the two whatsoever. When they die the reader almost feels a since of relief.
             The innocent characters are just as complex as the villains. Lear himself is not without flaws. He is blind to the truth and because of this makes unwise decisions. When we go through the play we can see that his attitude has changed. He sees his errors and understands that he has done wrong.
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