King Lear Essay

An effective text is able to encourage the responder to question human nature regardless of the changes of contextual time period. Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear has the ability to do this thus, transcending time. Universal ideas such as the abuse of relationships for our own greed and the power of language to deceive and distort the truth are represented in this timeless text. These ideas are still present to us today, reflecting overtime through the human condition.

People are hungry for power and abuse their relationships in order to satisfy this greed. King Lear exposes this greed by examining the relations of Edmund, Edgar and Gloucester. Edmund’s lust for power is reflected through his soliloquy, revealing his ulterior motives. He states: “Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land… Edmund the base shall top th’ legitimate.” (1, 2) Shakespeare is using the soliloquy to highlight Edmund’s hatred for Edgar, the legitimate child and his intention of overthrowing Edgar. Edmund also stands ups for the bastards saying that they will “grow” and “prosper”. This idea of hunger for power is still present today as children can be jealous of their sibling and remove them from their power, thus the text does not have a use-by date. The use of questions by Shakespeare deliberately reveals the exploitation of relationships. Edmund constantly interrogates Edgar, asking: “Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him by word nor countenance?” This reveals Edmund’s Machiavellian character and his hunger for knowledge to satisfy his greed. The play provokes the audience to reflect on one’s relationship with a person and its misuse to gain knowledge, hence transcending time. Edmund is characterised, as a cunning and ruthless man who is will to do anything for his pursuit for power. The stage direction of the forged letter reflects this Machiavellian nature. Edmund exploits his relationship with Gloucester by lying to him however this is all just a plan to satisfy his greed for power. The theme of corrupted relationships for a gain of power resonates today and transcends time, revealing the greedy nature of mankind.

Language is a powerful weapon used by people to deceive others. Shakespeare reveals this idea