King Lear

Introduction

King Lear is one of the famous plays of Shakespeare and has always been subject to much critique and discussion as audiences have always responded to it in many ways. This literary work is renowned for its complexities and is a true reflection of Shakespeare's genius. This tragedy is an amalgamation of complex and colorful characters and themes, highly intense emotions and a very intricate plot full of surprising twists and turns.

Discussion

The play is about political power and how it manifests itself in family dynamics. The king, out of sheer foolishness gives his authority Goneril and Regan, landing his entire empire into chaos and tumult. As the two sisters indulge in their insatiable quest for power, and Edmund begins his own ascension, the entire kingdom falls into great misery and as the King's fate sees a tragic downfall, the entire country is also engulfed by civil strife and disorder. The play contains a wide range of themes running though out. They are universal in nature and have been recurrently experienced by humanity, irrespective of religion or culture. The readers and audience can connect to one or the other aspect of the play. For example, greed, lust, betrayal, insanity, thirsts for power and self-realization (Duthie and John, pp. 24).

It is only during the storm that the king realizes his worthlessness and the powerful natural forces make him realize his own insignificance and powerlessness. He accepts himself as an ordinary mortal who cannot defy what fate throws at him and cannot avert hardships, if they choose to strike. More important than the loss of power is this realization. The king becomes humble and aims to confront his personal as well as political woes (Hunter, pp. 42).

Reconciliation

There is much gloom and darkness that pre-dominates the mood in the play. Act 5 represents one of the most soul-wrenching ending in literary works. However, the relationship between King Lear and Cordelia does leave one with hope, as it is based on true and pure, unconditional and sacrificing love. Cordelia, even after being treated in a brutal fashion never aims to avenge herself, rather she proves to be her father's savior by bringing an army from another country to save him from his tormentors. This proves to be an eye-opener for Lear as he recognizes the magnitude of troubles that his foolish decision cause and he aims to rectify it and reconcile all ...