Shakespeare's 'King Lear'

Throughout the years of 1603 and 1606, William Shakespeare wrote one of his tragedies, ‘King Lear,’ a play which focuses on the betrayal within families and the effects it has on those surrounded – whether they be direct family members or just people who have been associated alongside them for a very long time. Whilst the play is set within the context of a king, his earls, his daughters and the sons of the earls and a looming war, the play is not confined to a set time within history and it is not limited to concerns only relevant to that social period. The play presents universal issues which speak utter volumes and storms within heads to make you wonder if this could happen to anyone you know.

‘King Lear’ follows two parallel plot lines, the first is that of Lear himself, with his three daughters, and the other is the Earl of Gloucester and his two sons. The play is based on the mythical king of the Britons, King Leir. The beginning of ‘King Lear’ introduces readers to the major characters; the earls of Gloucester and Kent, King Lear, Edmund and Edgar (Gloucester’s sons), and Goneril, Regan and Cordelia – the three daughters of Lear. The issue in the opening stages of the play refers to Lear abdicating his throne and splitting his kingdom into three for his daughters. However, there is a catch, and that’s the fact that Lear will give the most prized part of his kingdom to the daughter who professes the most love to him. It is known that Cordelia is the favourite daughter; therefore it’s assumed that she would be the daughter to receive the prized part of the kingdom – however this is not the case. Cordelia speaks to Lear; "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty according to my bond, no more nor less." This earns her an unwanted marriage to the King of France and sets in motion the tragic tale of Lear after he has lost his kingdom to his scheming daughters.

The Earl of Gloucester and his sons – Edgar and Edmund – follow a similar plot line. Whilst Lear has three legitimate daughters, Gloucester has a legitimate son, Edgar, and an illegitimate son, Edmund. Like Goneril and Regan, Edmund is set out for his fathers’ inheritance and title – regardless of the fact that he is the illegitimate son and therefore is not eligible to receive his fathers’ inheritance. However, he’s willing to try. He forges a letter to his father from Edgar riddled with conspiracy to take over their father’s title and fortunes. Gloucester is less than pleased and sends out for Edgar’s arrest. Edgar becomes the Cordelia in Lear’s plot line, and in his need to survive, he lowers himself on the wheel of fortune – turning him into a state of penury where he becomes Poor Tom.

As soon as Lear has realized that he’s lost his kingdom and Edgar has lowered his social standing considerably, the plot then shapes itself into a tale of madness where the blind are leading the blind and the fool becomes the wisest man of the group. Lear, Poor Tom, the Fool and Caius (the Earl of Kent under disguise to look out for Lear) enter a storm and the real madness of the tale takes place. The storm represents what is going on in Lear’s head and readers are able to witness the mock trial Lear holds of his two daughters, charging them for their behaviour. The two plots combine when the Earl of Gloucester stumbles into their midst as a blind man – in which Poor Tom (who is Edgar), attends to him and where he learns about the betrayal he and his father went through.

While there are lots of elements of plot within this play, and not all can be discussed at length due to the fact it’s an amazing play that one needs to read for themselves. Shakespeare has created a truly tragic tale which can be related to by anyone at any point in time and history. The tale not only deals with the abdication of a throne, but it deals with selfishness, love, betrayal, parental ties, madness, and becoming blind to the realities of the world around you. Whilst the play has a tragic ending with a sense of lost hope, it truly is a wonderful thing to read as it doesn’t just limit itself to any particular time period – rather it leaves you with beautiful quotes, amazing imagery and symbolism, and a tragic tale that might make you think twice about Romeo and Juliet.

*This article was originally posted (and can still be found) in the Mibba Magazine.