Explanation Of Nature In Shakespeare's King Lear

In William Shakespeare’s King Lear as the world of Ancient Britain begins to tear asunder about the play’s constituents, most turn in one manner or another to nature for consolation or as a guide. Nature is ever-present in the play, from the supposedly unnatural uprising of children against their fathers to the physical presence the storm that lashes Lear after he has been usurped. Each character appeals to nature, but in very distinct fashions that often reveals much about themselves. While the majority of the characters speak of nature regarding their filial bonds and link to humanity, the Earl of Gloucester’s bastard son, Edmund only appeals to nature regarding his own interests. This separation in perception and imploration of nature is ultimately what makes Edmund different from the other characters. Edmund is sequestered in many ways from society, and not solely by his approach to nature. In the very first scene of the play …show more content…
Lear and Gloucester’s nature, which they refer to typically when speaking of usurping and devious children, is an ideal of filial love and loyal children. Lear refers to his conception of nature when asking Regan for asylum, begging from her “The offices of nature, bond of childhood, / Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude” (2.2.367-8). These natural debts owed to Lear and Gloucester are ignored by their offspring and subsequently their worlds begin to dissolve into confusion. When Gloucester laments the state of affairs in the court as he says “The King falls from bias of nature”, he observes something wrong with nature that is beginning to cause his world to dissolve into chaos and brutality (1.2.111). Gloucester and Lear’s nature is a state of peace imposed by family and bonds of humanity. This idea of nature links them to others and reflects a view of nature that is very different from