William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear explores a powerful king’s self-mutilating behavior. The heart of the play questions whether it is possible for one to fundamentally change. King Lear was written in the early 1600’s, after King James I rose to the English throne. This was a period of time in which the monarchy was of central importance and under constant scrutiny. Shakespeare thus often dwelt on the nature of the monarchy. His plays therefore can not only be read as historical narratives featuring kings, but also as reflections on monarchical rule. The play explores the challenges when dividing a kingdom, and the inevitable repercussions of such a division. Most importantly however, King Lear explores profound character change. This
…show more content…
For centuries, the idea of redemption has filled people with ambition and optimism, the same things that keep Lear going. Paul Delany later states, “Bradley and the neo-Christians have claimed that the play [King Lear] asserts the redemptive value of suffering." While Lear’s poor choices left him broken, they also allowed him to grow as a person and stand up for his wrongdoings. In doing so he was able to realize how much he truly wanted Cordelia back. In Act 4, scene 7 Lear is awakened from what he believes to be his deathbed by his prophetic daughter Cordelia. He rambles, “You do me wrong to take me out o’ th’ grave / Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound / Upon a wheel of fire” (4.7.43-45). Lear is distraught because he was confident that he would again meet his daughter in heaven, and it seemed to him as though he no longer had the chance. Fortunately his relationship with his daughter proves resilient. Before awakening him, Cordelia speaks to the doctor regarding her father's health: “Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss / Repair those violent harms that my two sisters / Have in thy reverence made!” (4.7.25-27). Regardless of the hardships their relationship has gone through, both Lear and Cordelia are able to forgive one another. Delany goes on to suggest, “It does not lie in our power to change our personalities overnight, except in rare instances of conversion." This reunion classifies as a rare instance of resiliency, in which case a conversion of character is completely
For centuries, the idea of redemption has filled people with ambition and optimism, the same things that keep Lear going. Paul Delany later states, “Bradley and the neo-Christians have claimed that the play [King Lear] asserts the redemptive value of suffering." While Lear’s poor choices left him broken, they also allowed him to grow as a person and stand up for his wrongdoings. In doing so he was able to realize how much he truly wanted Cordelia back. In Act 4, scene 7 Lear is awakened from what he believes to be his deathbed by his prophetic daughter Cordelia. He rambles, “You do me wrong to take me out o’ th’ grave / Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound / Upon a wheel of fire” (4.7.43-45). Lear is distraught because he was confident that he would again meet his daughter in heaven, and it seemed to him as though he no longer had the chance. Fortunately his relationship with his daughter proves resilient. Before awakening him, Cordelia speaks to the doctor regarding her father's health: “Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss / Repair those violent harms that my two sisters / Have in thy reverence made!” (4.7.25-27). Regardless of the hardships their relationship has gone through, both Lear and Cordelia are able to forgive one another. Delany goes on to suggest, “It does not lie in our power to change our personalities overnight, except in rare instances of conversion." This reunion classifies as a rare instance of resiliency, in which case a conversion of character is completely