King Lear: Themes
Beginning of paper
Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent
relates to the theme of justice. Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that
allows us to see man's decent into chaos. Although Lear is perceived as "a man
more sinned against than sinning" (p.62), the treatment of the main ....
Middle of paper
.... with Heaven, the Divine Being, and the
stars and planets which are all above. On earth the king is next, then the
nobles, on down to the peasantry. Holding the lowest position were the beggars
and lunatics and finally, the animals. Interrupting this order is unnatural.
King Lear's sin was that he disrupted this chain of being by relinquishing
his throne. By allowing his daughters and their husbands to rule the kingdom,
the natural order of things was disturbed. His notion that ....
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Word count: 1601
Page count: 6 (approximately 250 words per page)