The God of Small Things essays

The God of Small Things essays King Lear is one of Shakespeares greatest tragedies, but it is also a carefully gathered choice of different characters and individual traits; these distinct basics make the tragic outcome usual and increase the emotional to the reader. The story revolves around the King who foolishly separates his only truthfully faithful daughter and realizes too late the true nature of his other two daughters. A major subplot involves Edmunds betrayal of his father and disgrace of his brother. Shakespeare clearly states that human nature is either unselfish and devoted love or selfish and unqualified hatred. Although some character experiences a transformation stage, where by some through lot of pain or failure their nature is deeply changed. This essay will examine Shakespeares place on human character in King Lear by looking at specific character in the play: Cordelia and Edgar display unselfishness and devoted love while Edmund, Regan and Goneril displays selfishness and unqualified hatred. Lea rs character is changed form selfish to unselfish at the end of the play. The play begins King Lear announces he wants to divide his kingdom between his three daughters. Lear has his three daughters compete for their inheritance by expressing their love for him. Cordelia refuses to overstate her love for her father, saying My heart into my mouth. I love you Majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less.(1.1.94-95) She says she loves him only as much as she should and that she must save half for her husband. Cordelia obviously loves her father and she realizes her honesty will not make him happy. Even though she understands her fathers expectation but her character is too good to tolerate even the least difference from her principles. If Cordelia gives a speech just similar to her sisters she would have prevented much disaster but she believes that as an insult to her love by giving speech in front of o...