Who Is Juxtaposition In King Lear

William Shakespeare, one of the most famous and well-credited playwrights in the world, uses clever and intricate methods to convey his lessons. Specifically, his use of parallels is particularly skillful. In King Lear, Shakespeare reinforces and extends the theme of loyalty by creating a sub-plot that parallels the main plot. This is evident through the character development of Lear and the Earl of Gloucester, as well as the actions of their children. Lear and Gloucester parallel each other in their positions of unquestionable wealth and power. However, due to their children’s betrayal, their influence is stripped away and the fathers are left with nothing. Through this, both Lear and Gloucester must endure horrific ordeals, such …show more content…
Yet, the similarities lie in the origin of both punishments. Both fathers are punished by their “evil” child for loving them unequally, and being blind to the truth. Furthermore, though the fathers die in different situations, the reasons behind their deaths remain the same. Both Lear and Gloucester die from an overwhelming amount of emotion caused by the return and abrupt departure of their favoured child. Gloucester’s heart “burst smilingly” when Edgar “revealed himself unto him” before he left for the battle between Britain and France; and Lear dies from heartbreak when he is mourning over Cordelia’s death (V. 3. 195, 188). Although Lear and Gloucester experience different situations in the play, the meaning behind their actions remains the …show more content…
Shakespeare emphasizes the dangers of ignorance through the metaphorical and literal blindness of Lear and Gloucester. Furthermore, it also emphasizes the importance of knowing the consequences of ones actions; such as loving one child more than the other and that flattery is not a quantifiable way of determining true love. Furthermore, though Edgar and Cordelia, Shakespeare reiterates the importance of loyalty and perseverance through their words and