Comparing the Flaws of Lear and Gloucester
Those in positions of high Authority, are seen as strong, powerful, and independent individuals, however, this power can create a negative effect on the holder and lead to several disadvantages. In the play “King Lear” by William Shakespeare, the tragic flaws in the personalities of Lear and Gloucester lead to the loss of their authority as they place their trust in the hands of the wrong people. Shakespeare shows that those with a higher authority status take their power for granted, which leads to having an excessive amount of pride and as a result, foolish and poor decisions are made. Lear is a man of incredibly high status but his blind actions bring upon the downfall of his authority as he foolishly …show more content…
Only shall we retain
The name, and all th' additions to a king.
The sway, revenue, execution of the rest,
Belovèd sons, be yours; which to confirm,
This coronet part between you (1.1.130-142).
Lear explains to Cornwall and Albany, the husbands of Regan and Goneril, his conditions for splitting the kingdom. He grants them to his crown and says that they must allow him to stay with them every month along with his knights. In this speech, Lear talks about disowning Cordelia and says that she can marry her own pride. Ironically, Lear is the one filled with pride of his own actions and decisions. Although Cordelia is Lear’s loyal daughter, he unwisely banishes her and is not able to see the difference between her and her heartless sisters. Although people like Kent and The Fool try to advise Lear of his mistakes, he ignores them and takes pride in his actions, not listening to the people around him or accepting his mistakes. Lear’s actions later bite him in the back as Goneril and Regan begin to plan their revenge on Lear after finding out Cordelia was his favourite daughter: “He always loved our sister most, and with what poor / judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly” (1.1.291-93). Both Goneril and …show more content…
Gloucester calls upon Edmund to help him from the trauma he is going through, to save him from this punishment. This doesn’t end well for Gloucester, as Regan tells him about Edmund and admits his true motives. Gloucester trusted the wicked and unnatural son while going against the son who truly cared for him. Gloucester’s foolish decisions led him to losing his physical sight, his authority, power, and status. Lear and Gloucester were both individuals who had poor judgement and were ignorant of their actions. Hubris was a huge personality trait in both of their characteristics, both were arrogant and lacked self-awareness. Lear decided to divide his kingdom, and gave it to the two daughters who chose to flatter him, he fell into their trap and neglected the daughter who showed that she cared for Lear through actions but not words. Similarly, Gloucester trusted his bastard son after trusting him with news about his loyal son Edgar. Edmund was seeking his father’s authority and was able to trick Gloucester into believing his lies. The gullibility in the personalities of Lear and Gloucester made it easier for their wicked children to go against them a they were aware of their poor judgement. The hubris in the personalities of these two men led to the tragic downfall of their authority. Even after how they were treated, both Gloucester and Lear had children who truly cared for their well being as Clare Kinney stated “Edgar and Cordelia
Those in positions of high Authority, are seen as strong, powerful, and independent individuals, however, this power can create a negative effect on the holder and lead to several disadvantages. In the play “King Lear” by William Shakespeare, the tragic flaws in the personalities of Lear and Gloucester lead to the loss of their authority as they place their trust in the hands of the wrong people. Shakespeare shows that those with a higher authority status take their power for granted, which leads to having an excessive amount of pride and as a result, foolish and poor decisions are made. Lear is a man of incredibly high status but his blind actions bring upon the downfall of his authority as he foolishly …show more content…
Only shall we retain
The name, and all th' additions to a king.
The sway, revenue, execution of the rest,
Belovèd sons, be yours; which to confirm,
This coronet part between you (1.1.130-142).
Lear explains to Cornwall and Albany, the husbands of Regan and Goneril, his conditions for splitting the kingdom. He grants them to his crown and says that they must allow him to stay with them every month along with his knights. In this speech, Lear talks about disowning Cordelia and says that she can marry her own pride. Ironically, Lear is the one filled with pride of his own actions and decisions. Although Cordelia is Lear’s loyal daughter, he unwisely banishes her and is not able to see the difference between her and her heartless sisters. Although people like Kent and The Fool try to advise Lear of his mistakes, he ignores them and takes pride in his actions, not listening to the people around him or accepting his mistakes. Lear’s actions later bite him in the back as Goneril and Regan begin to plan their revenge on Lear after finding out Cordelia was his favourite daughter: “He always loved our sister most, and with what poor / judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly” (1.1.291-93). Both Goneril and …show more content…
Gloucester calls upon Edmund to help him from the trauma he is going through, to save him from this punishment. This doesn’t end well for Gloucester, as Regan tells him about Edmund and admits his true motives. Gloucester trusted the wicked and unnatural son while going against the son who truly cared for him. Gloucester’s foolish decisions led him to losing his physical sight, his authority, power, and status. Lear and Gloucester were both individuals who had poor judgement and were ignorant of their actions. Hubris was a huge personality trait in both of their characteristics, both were arrogant and lacked self-awareness. Lear decided to divide his kingdom, and gave it to the two daughters who chose to flatter him, he fell into their trap and neglected the daughter who showed that she cared for Lear through actions but not words. Similarly, Gloucester trusted his bastard son after trusting him with news about his loyal son Edgar. Edmund was seeking his father’s authority and was able to trick Gloucester into believing his lies. The gullibility in the personalities of Lear and Gloucester made it easier for their wicked children to go against them a they were aware of their poor judgement. The hubris in the personalities of these two men led to the tragic downfall of their authority. Even after how they were treated, both Gloucester and Lear had children who truly cared for their well being as Clare Kinney stated “Edgar and Cordelia