King Lear And Macbeth Character Analysis

Aristotle believed that one of the strongest defining qualities of a tragic hero is the experience of anagnorisis, the moment in which the character discovers his true identity. Some consider it a virtue if a character can experience such self-awareness because he is then recognizing his own faults, perhaps even repenting. Anagnorisis makes him more sympathetic and forgivable, as the audience identifies with and cares about the character.
In two of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, King Lear and Macbeth, the anagnorises experienced by the tragic heroes are crystal clear, creating dynamic characters. Although King Lear and Macbeth each experience anagnorises, Lear’s episode makes him more sympathetic due to the depth of his regret and sadness, both of which change him in a positive way, as he dies hopeful. Meanwhile, Macbeth’s anagnorisis reveals his Nihilistic views, while his need to fight makes him pessimistic and less sympathetic due to his lack of hope. …show more content…
The audience witnesses the unbearable death of the purest, most innocent character in the play, but more importantly, they are steered by the false hope in Lear’s dialogue, for he believes Cordelia is still alive. Such hope is the truly defining quality of King Lear as a sympathetic character, since he dies with it. The audience readily identifies with a promising character that turns away from a dark past and shows hope for the future. Consequently, they admire King Lear, for he shows love to the daughter he initially banished and departs while hoping and believing she is alive, as he cries, “Do you see this? Look on her. Look, her lips. /Look there, look there…” (5.3.325). Without a doubt, King Lear wins the hearts of the audience through powerful displays of affection, remorse, and