1. Loyalty In King Lear "King Lear" by William Shakespeare is the play that I have studied in the course and it is one of William Shakespeare famous play. I found that this play is very interesting and I am impressed by one of the protagonists in the play, The Earl of Kent. The Earl of Kent is one of the main characters in the play and serves the role of Earl to King Lear. He demonstrates extraordinary loyalty throughout the play. First and foremost, Kent speaks up whenever he see Lear acting in a way that will do him no good. At the beginning of the play, when King Lear is going to disown Cordelia, Kent is the only one who trying to stop King Lear by saying "Good my liege". Besides that, Kent stands up and urges King Lear, "Reverse thy doom, And in thy best consideration check this hideous rashness." Kent asks King Lear to reverse his foolish decision to disown the only loving and loyal daughter, Cordelia. In addition, Kent also tells King Lear, "Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, Nor are those empty–hearted whose low sound." Kent points out that Cordelia loves Lear the most, and he can see that Goneril and Regan are "empty–hearted" and their flattering words mean nothing. As a consequence of speaking out all the truths, Kent is banished by King Lear....show more content... For example, at the end of the play, when Edgar trying to wake the King, Kent says "Vex not his ghost. O, let him pass. He hates him that would upon the rack of this tough world stretch him out longer." Kent's loyalty and pity for King Lear lead him to beg the others to not attempt to save the King's life. In addition, after Lear's death, Albany offered Kent to help rule the kingdom, but Kent refuses. He says," I have a journey, sir, shortly to go: My master calls, and I must not say no." This implies that Kent is going to commit suicide so he can be with the King. This also shows that Kent's loyalty as a servant is Get more content on HelpWriting.net

2. King Lear Reflection In the first act of King Lear, we learn a lot about each of the characters within a short amount of time. We learn, that each of them have their own agenda and their own mischievous ideas of what the Kingdom should be in the near future. However, not only do we learn a lot about the characters, but we learn mainly what this play is about. This play has a strong theme of, love, hatred, despair and jealousy. These themes are widely demonstrated throughout the play beginning with the first act. Each of these acts show how the themes that I picked for the play fit in. Throughout this journal over time, I would like to talk about these themes and where each of them fit in within the play of King Lear. When I was given this assignment in class, the main purpose of this journal was to pick a character throughout the play that I would follow on this journey throughout the reading. I chose to pick the character of King Lear because of how is character would progress during the play in such a strong way. King Lear unlike any other character during the play I feel is the one that changes the most drastically over a short period of time. In the beginning, one could infer that King Lear adored his Kingdom. When reading the play, we as a reader could tell Lear was old and probably not in the best of health, so it was only right that he wanted his Kingdom to go to someone who truly would take it over and run it the way he would. We could also tell that he loved his power, however King Lear in this act uses his authority to overpower his love ones I believe in a negative way. I believe this is true because, within the first five minutes of the play we learn that King Lear is dividing up his Kingdom into halves based off of the love each one of his daughters poured out to him. This meeting keep in mind only lasted I would say an hour and he expected them to devote their past twenty five plus years to him so quickly. At the reading of the Will, Lear would still be in charge of the treasury, church and army of the Kingdom. The land would almost be a cover up that they get what they want (the daughters), but really he is still running the show. When I read this, I was shocked, that a father would base what he would leave Get more content on HelpWriting.net

3. Relationships In King Lear William Shakespeare's King Lear is massive in scope and deals with many themes. I'd like to focus on King Lear's relationship with his daughters as it evolves throughout the play as well as the play King Lear's themes regarding politics and politicking. The passage I think best represents the conclusion of these themes is King Lear's conversation with Cordelia in Act 5, scene 3 where they have been taken prisoner by the English. My conclusion from reading this passage closely is that in Shakespeare's King Lear, King Lear's speech to Cordelia regarding their impending imprisonment builds Shakespeare's idea of caged potential and judgement for those who politic. The first lines of this speech, "No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:" (5.3.8–9) in response to Cordelia's question of whether they should see Goneril and Regan, give us an idea of King Lear's mental state at this time in the play. King Lear appears to be lucid and to have largely regained his sanity from the earlier scenes of the play once he has reunited with Cordelia. He insists strongly, with four noes, that they should go immediately to prison. The metaphor of Lear and Cordelia as birds in a cage implies that he and Cordelia will have lost their freedom, as a bird in a cage loses its ability to fly. Yet, by saying that they shall sing in this cage, Lear says that they will be happy while they have lost flight and freedom, they will have one another. King Lear Get more content on HelpWriting.net

4. Conventions In King Lear King Lear poses many questions to its audience. Shakespeare's conventions throughout the story hold true to the plot until Albany's speech is interrupted by Lear's rambling words. Upon closer examination however, it is obvious that the play's writer meant to violate some of the conventions which he set earlier in the story through the crazed king's words. The character's verses can be interpreted several ways, showing a different side of the conventions which Shakespeare sets. Focusing on the particular scene shows an underlying theme concerning the human race. His writing leaves the audience with a question about the story's true meaning. As Albany brings the events of the story to a conclusion by noting how his friends and enemies will be repaid, King Lear suddenly interrupts with a ranting explanation while carrying his daughter's...show more content... On one hand, he may be implying that there is still hope even in such a cruel world. Although there is a glimmer of hope, Lear's death may steal away the hope from the remaining characters. Conversely, as a result of his newly occurring grief, his words concerning his daughter's last breath may show only that his maddened state has returned. He finally reached a point of contentment by recognizing the meaningful things in his life when the person who brought him that clarity is stolen away from him. Shakespeare provides an underlying theme for the fate of humanity using King Lear. During his final words, he discusses his daughter's ending breath. Shakespeare is suggesting through the script that there is hope for the survival of humanity even when all odds seem to be against it. It is obviously a fighting chance considering Cordelia is dead at the conclusion of the story. The author plays with the debated opinions of hurrying through life to get to what awaits a person in heaven or taking advantage of the opportunities given in life to make it into Get more content on HelpWriting.net

5. The Nature of King Lear Essay The most prevailing images in King Lear are the images (metaphoric and actual) of nature. The concept of nature seems to consume the dialogue, monologues, and setting. It might be useful to view nature as `the natural order of the world' (and, perhaps, the universe). When one goes against the natural order, chaos will follow. Shakespeare has made this point clear in "Troilus and Cressida" where Ulysses predicts that once "the specialty of rule hath been neglected disaster will follow, for take but degree away, untune that string, and hark what discord follows" (I.iii). But what are the natural orders that were upset in King Lear? First, and foremost, King Lear divided his kingdom and stepped down from the throne. A king of divine...show more content... 215). As Regan and Goneril show their disdain and, thereby, expose their `natural' selves to Lear, his recognition of them and the wrong he did to Cordelia are also expressed with the language of nature; of Cordelia he says, "O most small fault, how ugly dids't thou in Cordelia show! That, like an engine, wrenched my frame of nature from the fixed place" (I.iv. 262–265). And when Lear realizes that both Regan and Goneril have deceived him, he calls them "unnatural hags" (II.iv. 276). Lear's actions of distributing his kingdom to his daughters (which in a patriarchal society such as Lear's is against natural law) and his rashness of expelling Cordelia and wrongly rewarding Regan and Goneril, were a violation and misreading of true nature which, from that point on, lead to the destruction and death of Lear and his family. The subplot in King Lear is of Gloucester and his sons Edmund and Edgar. Edmund, the illegitimate, bastard son, can be seen as somehow unnatural according to the laws of society at that time. Gloucester himself says to Kent, regarding Edgar, "But I have, sir, a son by order of law..." (I.i. 18). The subtext here is that Edmund's conception was outside the law and unnatural to the social structure. Like Lear, Gloucester fails to see the true nature of his children and also invokes the language of nature in blind ways. After wrongly

6. condemning Edgar he calls Edmund a "loyal and natural boy" (II. i. 85). In speaking of Edmund in Get more content on HelpWriting.net

7. Essay on King Lear King Lear Summary The play, "King Lear" by William Shakespeare, starts with noblemen Kent and Gloucester having a conversation and the audience finds out that Gloucester has two sons. Edgar who is his heir, and Edmund his unimportant son. This info. leads to the mini–plot. Then, Lear enters to say that he is going to end his life's tasks and problems. He then points to the map, he tells the people there that he will split his land into three parts. They are going to be given to his three daughters. The two oldest, Goneril and Regan, tell their father that their love for him goes beyond expectations. The youngest one, Cordelia, tells him that she loves him, but only as she should love her father. He is then...show more content... Goneril tells Lear that he needs a smaller troop, more decorous in behavior and better suited to the king's rank and age. The king is very angry and says he will pack up his people and move to Regan's palace. Lear's anger continues to build, and he calls upon nature to curse Goneril's womb. In response, Goneril turns out 50 of Lear's retinue. As the subplot develops, Edmund wounds himself slightly, pretending that Edgar has attacked him. Certain that Edgar will also try to kill him, Gloucester promises to find the means to make Edmund his heir. After his escape into the woods, Edgar decides that he will disguise himself as a Bedlam beggar, who will be known as Poor Tom. Meanwhile, Cornwall orders an impassioned Kent placed in the stocks. Lear arrives and quickly realizes that Regan has joined Goneril in seeking to reduce Lear's authority. Lear reminds his daughters that he gave them all that they now enjoy, but they are unmoved. An angry Lear calls for his horse, and rides into the storm with his Fool for protection. Exposed to the storm, the Fool attempts to reason with his king, but Lear will have no part of submission, especially before his daughters. Soon the king and Fool are joined by Edgar disguised as Poor Tom. Gloucester tells Edmund of the plot to save the king, unaware that he is divulging the plans to a traitor. Edmund immediately resolves to tell Cornwall of the plan. Edmund soon receives his reward: Gloucester's title and lands. The captured Get more content on HelpWriting.net

8. King Lear Essay Research Essay Edmund's character in King Lear is one of the most deceiving characters throughout the entire play. By using the methods of characterization, what a character says; what others say about them; and what a character does, one sees that Edmund is treacherous, self–willed and lacking in moral fibre. Understanding the characterization of Edmunds helps the reader to understand the suspense in the plot. Through his actions the reader gains insight into how self–willed Edmund truly is, when he writes the first letter, convincing Gloucester that Edgar wants to kill Gloucester. From what his father says about him one sees hoe treacherous he is, casting aside those who share his blood. And what he says shows that he is lacking in moral...show more content... It is through what he says that one can see how Edmund is lacking in moral fibre. "(aside) If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully (aloud) I will persevere in my course of loyalty, through the conflict be sore between that and my blood" (3.5.18–19). Edmund lies without a second thought, and with flair. He says that Gloucester can trust him, and that he is loyal to him. Then with the same ease he already begins to plot about turing over his father. Fully knowing that to do so is wrong, and that the consequences Gloucester will face be grave. Yet he does it anyway, he betrays his own blood for power. Showing that Edmund lacks moral fibre. The use of the aside is important because Edmunds dialogue is spoken but not heard by the other actors on the stage. Giving the audience special information the action of the plot. The audience now knows that Edmund is planning to frame his father. It adds suspense because it "is that quality in a story which makes the the reader ask 'What is going to happen next?'...and impels him to read on to find the answers to these questions" (Perrine 47) The reader is now compelled to read on to find how what happens to Gloucester when Edmund turns him over to Get more content on HelpWriting.net

9. King Lear Act 3 Questions Essay King Lear Act III Study Questions Scene I 1. Kent reveals to the Gentlemen that tension between Regan's husband (Albany) and Goneril's husband (Cornwall) could quite possible result in a civil war. However, aside from the war, the two may be united in plotting against the murder of King Lear. The King of France is preparing to make a move against these two divided house. He may have already sent spies to their households disguised as servants. 2. The mission that Kent asks the Gentlemen to complete is to go to Dover, the place where Cordelia lives, and inform her of how insultingly he was treated by Goneril and Regan. Also, in order to make sure that Cordelia knows the message sent is from him, he instructs to the Gentlemen to ...show more content... 11. Edgar's speech is filled with alliterations when he is telling King Lear about how he is being chased by the devil. He states some interesting things such as "the fould fiend follows me" (3.4. 50.) 12. Upon seeing Edgar emerge from the hovel disguised as poor Tom, Lear immediately assumes that he is a madman and the reason he is in this state is because of his daughters. 13. Edgar responds to Lear's assumptions by stating that he once used to be a rich courtier who used to drink wine all the time and have women with him. 14. Lear tears off his clothes in response to seeing Edgar (disguised as Tom) with an uncovered body. It's the first time in his life that he actually sympathizes with someone other than himself. As Lear is driven further and further into insanity, he starts to think more about humanity and the way the world perceives him. Lear has actually taken into account some of the things that Edgar says because he realized that the world doesn't just revolve around him and that material possessions are not everything. This kind of ironic because along with being physically naked, he is also figuratively naked because he has lost all support and must face the cruelties of the world by himself. 15. Gloucester's appearance at the hovel illustrates the parallel Get more content on HelpWriting.net

10. King Lear Essay Kent is playing an important role in King Lear's play by William Shakespeare. Kent has a unique character with some wonderful qualities. Kent's character is the most loyal, brave, truthful, wise, and dutiful servant to the king (Lear). He tries very hard to protect and advise his master. Kent considers himself as Lear's physician. He wants to remind him or show him the right path. So, when Cordelia cannot express her love to (Lear) through a love test who is her father. He is about to make a foolish mistake. Lear becomes angry at her and disowns her from his kingdom. Kent as a brave and wise man stands against Lear's decision in order to turn around his judgement on Cordelia. It is because as a wise and dutiful servant to his master, he knows it is a foolish and unwise decision on her. Then Lear stops him and tells him not to interfere, but Kent as ever loyal and brave man says "Royal Lear, whom I have ever honour'd as my king, loved as my father, as my master follow'd, as my great patron thought on in my prayers,––."...show more content... This behaviour from Kent makes Lear angrier and he threatens him. Lear says that his bow is pointed toward him. He will kill him if he does not stop. In return Kent tells him I do not care do whatever you want to do, but I will not let you to make such mistake. Therefore, Lear tells him not to bet on his life anymore, but nothing can stop Kent from speaking thou he knows, he has to pay the price for it. So, he says to Lear "My life I never held but as a pawn to wage against thy enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive." What a love, loyalty and bravery that Kent is having for his King. Simply he says I have never cared of my life when it comes to your safety. I have always been at the front line as a loyal soldier against your enemies. Lear becomes mad tells him to go away from his sight, but Lear foolishly banishes the loyal and dutiful Kent from his Get more content on HelpWriting.net

11. King Lear Reflection Essay I decided to re–read King Lear Act One for my reflective essay. When I decided to re–read Act One I decided to try and find a different translation because I believed that finding one would help fill any ideas I missed while reading the first time. Which lead to finding an online version of King Lear written as part of the No Fear Shakespeare collection, which I previously used and loved, but sadly had forgotten about. After I read that I realize how much I actually misunderstood and downplayed the act by connecting it with my limited knowledge about the time period. Which caused me to realize that I was manipulating the way I viewed the act the first time I read it into something that I believed was in Lear's time, socially acceptable....show more content... And that Cordelia was unable to express how much she loves him because of social shyness rather than social standards. After reading further into the act I realized I had filled in what was bad, but I had also filled in what was good. I completely overlooked how the Lord of France treated Cordelia after her banishment. But when I went back while re–read I realized that he was loving and kind when speaking to her at her lowest "Beautiful Cordelia, you're all the richer now that you're poor. You're more valuable now that you're rejected and more loved now that you're hated." (No Fear Shakespeare, 259–261) He did not want the dowry from her father but he wanted her for who she was in addition to what she stood for. This revelation was so clear but I simply missed it which leads me to wonder what else I missed in the rest of King Lear. I feel like I did King Lear a horrible injustice by letting my limited knowledge connect any gaps that I had while reading the act. While I was correct in believing that some of my assumptions about the socially acceptable for that time would be correct. I was also incorrect in believing that the whole first act would follow this stereotype. This way of thinking blocked my Get more content on HelpWriting.net

12. Reality King Lear King Lear Every situation in life has an appearance, and a reality. The appearance of a situation is usually what we want to see. The reality, what is really going on, is not always as obvious to the observer. People who cannot penetrate through the superficial appearance of a situation will see only what they want to believe is true; often, the reality of a situation is unappealing to the perceiver. These are the circumstances surrounding the conflict that occurs in William Shakespeare's King Lear. As an audience, you find that there is a major character flaw in the characters King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester. In the story, neither of these two men are able to establish the difference, in their minds, between what people are ...show more content... With this in mind, we can conclude that Lear and Gloucester are both very quick to accept people at face value, without any attempt to gain a deeper understanding of them. Similarly, we learn in King Lear, that how we perceive ourselves, may not be how we are perceived by others. Lear, for example, believes himself to be a great and respected King, who is wealthy and powerful. Nevertheless, he is constantly reminded by the actions of Goneril, and Regan, that he is an old man who has lost his kingdom, his only faithful daughter, and his wits. "O, sir, you are very old! Nature in you stands on the very verge of her confine. You should be ruled, and led by some discretion that discerns your state" (II.iv.146–148.) this is reason and way that Regan feels her father should be removed from power. Lear, ever blinded, doesn't see that his two daughters are trying to steal his kingdom. Consequently, when Goneril and Regan are cutting down his train, he still believes that their love can be measured in words and numbers "Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, and thou art twice her love" (II.iv.261–262). Lear believes that because Goneril will allow him twice as many servants in her home, she must love him twice as much as Regan does. This constant want of praise and lauding makes Lear very susceptible to persuasion by his evil daughters, and ultimately leads to his losses. Gloucester, also perceives himself Get more content on HelpWriting.net