Compare Shakespeare's King Lear to Milton's view of the Paradise Lost.

Introduction

Chronicling love's suffering and loss, both Shakespeare and Milton detail the journey love must experience in order to be recognised and appreciated. Only when King Lear, and Adam and Eve are able to compare between love and its lack are they able to see that which they took for granted. This paper Compares Shakespeare''s view of basic human nature in King Lear to Milton''s view of the psychology of his characters in Paradise Lost.

Discussion

King Lear takes for granted that he has the love of all his daughters. Not only does he assume their love exists for him, but he also assumes once he hands the kingdom over to them that they will support him in his golden years. As king, Lear never wanted for the material necessities of life. Food, shelter and clothing were always his. His confident statement “… we still retain the name, and all the additions to a king,” (1.1.136-37) makes it clear he expects his life to continue without interruption of previous rights and privileges . Lear has no real experience of loss, and therefore no real appreciation of what it entails, and thus no defence against a fall.

Before the fall in Paradise Lost, Adam and Eve are oblivious to anything beyond their paradise. They were warned not to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge, but have no way of knowing the consequences of their disobedience as evidenced in Adam's words; “So near grows death to life, whate'er death is” (Book 4 l.425). At this juncture, all three characters are only conscious of a one-sided meaning in the concept of love. Their experience thus far does not prepare them for what must come if they are to truly experience the full meaning of love.

Lear's first realization that love in its fuller meaning may include difficulties comes when Cordelia does not publicly profess her love for her father in the same manner as her sisters. The king equates love with material when he says, “How, how, Cordelia! Mend your speech a little,/ lest it mar your fortunes” (1.1.93-94). When he realises that Cordelia is not forthcoming with what he expects, he strikes back by disowning her, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care” (1.1.114).

Later in scene four, in a twist of roles, daughter Goneril admonishes Lear for his followers' behaviour and their ...