FREE ESSAY ON KING LEAR

KING LEAR

Lear: The Tragic Character
In William Shakespeare's King Lear, the similar events that Lear and Gloucester
experience result in a parallel plot sequence for the story. Lear and Gloucester are
similar characters because they are experiencing similar problems while playing the role
of a father. Their children also have a similar eagerness for power, a problem that both
Lear and Gloucester should not have to deal with while addressing serious mental and
physical dilemmas. And although the two characters are very similar, the story of King
Lear is tragic, and Gloucester's is not. Lear's tragedy is a result of bringing fate upon
himself, which in turn stripes Lear of everything, and only in his final moments does
Lear resolve some of his problems with a catharsis. To ensure that Lear's story is indeed
tragic while Gloucester's is not, an examination of tragedy is necessary. Also, the
overall situation and well being of the two characters is helpful in deciding who brings
upon their own problems, and who becomes a victim throughout the play. Decisions made by
Lear are also determining factors of tragedy, even from the very beginning of the play.
The events that Lear and Gloucester experience are similar, but their positions in
society are different. Consequences are much higher for mistakes made by Kings, rather
than mistakes made by the Earl of Gloucester. Aristotle says that a real tragedy is an
imitation of an action that is serious or grave involving someone of elevated status. The
same person, however, brought demise to one's own self and to the surrounding characters.
When Lear gives up his kingdom to his daughters, he has completely ceased any
continuation of the family's lineage to the throne. Also lost along with Lear's kingdom
is a substantial amount of power over the people. With Lear inevitably losing his throne
in the near future, the people stop listening to him. The noble Kent tries to convince
Lear that he has made a mistake. He advises: "See better, Lear, and let me still remain
the true blank of thine eye." (p. 6) After this comment, Lear becomes angry with Kent and
exiles him for life. Gloucester's issues are much more minor: there is little disruption
from the man, only anger brought upon him by his bastard son Edmund. Gloucester would not
fit Aristotle's definition of a tragic figure; nobody will show interest for the
unfortunate events Gloucester goes through. 
The children of Lear and Gloucester follow similar story lines, as greed becomes the
character flaw among many of the players. The action taken by Lear leaves a tempting
opportunity for Reagan and Goneril when Lear decides to divide his kingdom. Lear enters
the room and says: "Meantime we shall express our darker purpose...To take all cares and
business from our age, Conferring them on younger strengths, while we unburthen'd crawl
toward death." (p. 2) At this point both Reagan and Goneril give exaggerated accounts for
their love to Lear in order to get the part of the kingdom they desire. Reagan gives an
extravagant speech: "I find she names my very deed of love; only she comes too short:
that I profess...I am alone felicitate in your dear highness' love." (p. 3) Reagan and
Goneril are a dynamic duo through the course of the play; they become more corrupt and
greedy toward the completion of the play. The characteristics of Edmund are fundamentally
evil. He is a static character, always associated with evil people and taking cruel
actions. When trying to start a violent conflict with Edgar, Edmund says: "Some blood
drawn on me would beget opinion." (p. 32) Edmund takes similar courses of deception later
in the play, but he does not become as tragic of a character.
Lear's rash, impulsive, and insecure flaws, creates demise for himself, while Gloucester
is simply a victim of events. Lear gives up his kingdom while Gloucester becomes attacked
and has his eyes gouged out. Lear created the problems to follow after the division of
his property. Gloucester on the other hand, was in an unfortunate place at an unfortunate
time. The catharsis experienced by both men was in a similar format as well. Lear, who
now knows he is worth nothing, swears to gain vengeance and return some dignity to his
last moments. The dynamic Lear says: "I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What! I
will be jovial: come, come; I am a king, my masters, know you that." (p.95) Gloucester is
acted on again with his catharsis. It took the horrific experience of having his eyes
gouged out in order to establish a sense of vision. Gloucester says: "I have no way and
therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw: full oft't is seen, our means secure us,
and our mere defects prove our commodities." (p. 78) Only after the attack did Gloucester
become a character with better vision.
The character King Lear fit Aristotle's definition of tragedy. He was a lofty character
that brought about his own misfortune, and in the end of the play experienced a moment of
catharsis. Gloucester was not a tragic figure, for few people created concerns for the
old man with grave misfortune during the play. If Lear would have lived longer, or if
foolish decisions were not made, Lear's story would not have been a tragedy. If Lear did
not have his greedy children deceiving him, they would not have let their father lose
control of the Kingdom, as well as the family lineage to the throne. The disasters could
have been avoided, but they were not, so the story becomes a tragedy.