An "imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and has sufficient size, in a language that is made sweet...exciting pity and fear, bringing about a catharsis of such emotions," is now Aristotle defined tragedy (trans. Gudeman). Basic Greek tragedies, like Sophocles' Antigone, have transformed through the centuries. Shakespeare's King Lear displays a blatant evolution of character, theme, and plot structure. This, in turn, caused a revolution in the genre, providing a new audience with new interests and economic stature. More complex standards were set for tragedies to come.
             In Antigone Sophocles created a story lacking complexity for the most part. This left the audience to simply experience the play and not have to do much contemplation along the way. There was no sub-plot in Antigone, which also aids in the simplicity of this piece. This provides a basic example of works from this time period.
             King Lear has a more intricate plot than that of Antigone. The main plotline of the story involves a king named Lear who banished his daughter Cordelia. Lear also has two other daughters, Regan and Goneril, who have split his former kingdom. Their marriages to Cornwall and Albany diverge into their own subplot, if you will, but they become somewhat entangled when Regan and Goneril fall in love with Edmund, Lord Gloucester's illegitimate son. Edgar, Gloucester's' legitimate son, is also banished but returns into the kingdom as Poor Tom, a madman and beggar, and attempts to assist his father any way possible. Kent, Lear's steadfast right-hand man, shows his loyalty for Lear when he says, " see better Lear, and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye." (Shakespeare 9) Kent has been banished by Lear, but also returns in disguise as Caius, another loyal servant to Lear. This sub-plot is deeply involved and serves as a perfect example of the complexity of Shakespeare's King ...