Uncovering the Truth in Shakespeares King Lear Essay

Uncovering the Truth in King Lear Only through the loss of our possessions and worldly connections can one truly realize ones inner being (Confucius). The true nature of man is known but is not commonly seen until adversity strikes. Characters reveal their true nature when they are reduced to nothing. In the play, King Lear, by William Shakespeare, there are three main themes that characters can be reduced by; social status, love and power. Through these three mediums the true nature of the works characters are exposed, by stripping away the innuendo, deceit and superficiality that initially cloaks each character. In the beginning of the play, Cordelia, Gloucester and King Lear all suffer a loss of power,†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, King Lear suffers a loss of power which causes him to reveal his true nature when his powers as King and as a father are departed and he is able to see the innocence behind his daughter, Cordelias, love for him. He is reunited with Cordelia and instantly compelled to beg for her forgiveness: We two alone will sing like birds i the cage./ When thou dost ask me blessing, Ill kneel down/ And ask of thee forgiveness. So well live,/ And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh... (5.3.9-12). This is unveils King Lears truly humble and loving nature. In summary, because Cordelia, Gloucester and King Lear all suffer a loss of power in the play, their true natures are ultimately revealed. What is more, the loss of love and relationships by Cordelia, Edgar and Lear is evident in the play and leads to the unmasking of the characters true natures. Edgar sees the necessity for love and relationships in ones life to sustain a state of common sense when he loses the love of his family and friends. After it is believed that there is a plot against Lears life, Edgar reflects on the situation, When we our betters see bearing our woes,/ We scarcely think our miseries our foes./ Who alone suffers most i the mind,/ Leaving free things and happy shows behind...Show MoreRelatedThe Greatest Pieces Of English Literature972 Words   |  4 Pagesanti-stratfordians who propose theories of who could be the real author, this once small talk has turn into a well- known conspiracy theory, although little to none evidence is all we have on a man named William Shakespeare, the possibility of determining the truth behind this is more likely impossible to find out, his work is a great p iece of English literature that will stay as â€Å"his† work until further and stronger evidence says otherwise. The fact of the matter is, William Shakespeare is the true author, asRead More A Darker Side of Our Soul Exposed in Hamlet Essay1477 Words   |  6 Pagespurvey a shocking type of tawdry news. These sources of scandal make a lucrative business out of outrageous headlines. But this is nothing new.   Mankind has always had burning desire for uncovering secret truths--even in the time of Shakespeare.   For as Polonius said, If circumstances lead me, I will find/Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed/Within the center (2.2.158-60).   The implication is that we are somehow better off in knowing the furtive facts.      But are we better off inRead MoreHamlet : A Tragic Comedy1828 Words   |  8 Pageshas recently been performing in Shakespeare’s past disaster, Julius Caesar, yet there is additionally a reckoning of the genuine stabbing of Polonius by Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are utilized by Claudius to discover the genuine reason for Hamlet s transformation, evident in Act II Scene II: â€Å"Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him† (Meyer, pg 1630), and to enliven him, show up as indistinguishable twins who are never seen independently: King: Thanks Rosencrantz, and gentle GuildensternRead MoreExistentialism : What s It All About And Who Cares?3875 Words   |  16 PagesExistential themes are explored in the films of director Bernardo Bertolucci (such as â€Å"Before the Revolution† of 1964); and psychiatrist R D Laing (1927 – 1989) defines psychosis and schizophrenia in Existential terms. Shakespeare’s (1564 – 1616) drama (particularly in â€Å"Hamlet† and â€Å"King Lear,† for instance), is profoundly Existential. The nature of Existentialism: In this introduction we’ll consider the â€Å"mainstream† Existentialism espoused in particular by Sartre. This is categorized as â€Å"anti-idealist†