Examples Of Loyalty In King Lear

King Lear - Who is truly loyal? Shakespeare’s King Lear is a play that provokes discussion about the characters. The characters in this play behave in ways that cannot be static. It is simple to see that Shakespeare puts emphasis on loyalty, the biggest theme in the play. In King Lear, Shakespeare shows that being loyal is harder than being treacherous. Cordelia and Kent are the most notably loyal characters. In return for their loyalty, Kent is banished from the country, “Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He’ll shape his old course in a country new” (1.1.187-188). Cordelia is disowned by her father, “Here I disclaim all my paternal care,” (1.1.114) and cast out of the country. Yet even though Lear behaved like this, they both remained loyal. Staying loyal even though Lear wronged them is an admirable quality in Kent and Cordelia. It is much more difficult to continue being loyal to someone who is oblivious to who is actually loyal to them. Kent disguised himself to keep an eye on his king and communicated with Cordelia. Near the end of the play, …show more content…
He wasn’t great with loyalty, but he wasn’t the worst. He started off arrogant, and he sent Cordelia and Kent away even if they were the most loyal. He trusted Regan and Goneril, the treacherous pair. Throughout the play, he displays the most change. He feels remorse for his mistakes, and he treats the people around him with more respect. He is the character that really shows that in this play loyalty is not rewarded and treachery excels because he is the center of all of it. The loyalty from Cordelia, Kent, Albany, and Gloucester did not save him in the end. It did save his relationship with Cordelia. His last words expressed his hope that his only loyal daughter is still alive. “Do you see this? Look on her: look, her lips, Look there, look there!” (5.3.309-310). Loyalty may have not prospered, but it did allow Lear and Cordelia to