In almost every literary work there are three recurring themes: man versus man, man versus self, and man versus world. King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, emphasizes the theme of man versus self. Lear’s madness is what Shakespeare uses to develop the theme in order to create a tragic effect. Lear’s mental delusions and eccentric behaviors can be seen during his division of his kingdom amongst his daughters, and mock trial for his daughters. Yet, Lear’s delusions and behaviors caused by mental stress and guilt can be judged reasonable considering his daughters’ betrayals and his realization of his mistakes as a father. The first instance in which Lear’s madness is evident is during Act 1 scene 1, when Lear divides his kingdom amongst
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When Lear first meets Tom he asks him “Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?” associating Poor Tom’s apparent state of madness as a result of a conflict with daughters (3.4.45). By formulating an association with Tom’s madness and daughters, it can be implied that Lear is aware of his own madness as a result of his daughters. Lear identifies with the Poor Tom, in doing so he leaves equality behind and, “in deferential hallucination”, transforms Poor Tom into a philosopher, when in reality Poor Tom is far from a philosopher (Maclean). Lear’s identification with a mad beggar is the result of his “rapidly disintegrating” mind …show more content…
Lear was accustomed to people constantly doing his bidding and flattering him, when his followers acted in nontraditional ways Lear acted out. For example, when Kent spoke out against Lear’s decision to disown Cordelia Lear banished him. In old age, daughters are to care for their elderly fathers; when Goneril and Regan betrayed him Lear’s perceived relationship between a father and daughter started to deconstruct. Unable to handle the change Lear, started going mad; while out roaming on the outskirts of his daughters’ homes he realized how bad of a father he was for disowning Cordelia, adding guilt to his already crippling mind. Lear’s perceptions becoming deconstructed combined with his decaying mental state due to age and guilt, show how Lear’s madness was
When Lear first meets Tom he asks him “Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?” associating Poor Tom’s apparent state of madness as a result of a conflict with daughters (3.4.45). By formulating an association with Tom’s madness and daughters, it can be implied that Lear is aware of his own madness as a result of his daughters. Lear identifies with the Poor Tom, in doing so he leaves equality behind and, “in deferential hallucination”, transforms Poor Tom into a philosopher, when in reality Poor Tom is far from a philosopher (Maclean). Lear’s identification with a mad beggar is the result of his “rapidly disintegrating” mind …show more content…
Lear was accustomed to people constantly doing his bidding and flattering him, when his followers acted in nontraditional ways Lear acted out. For example, when Kent spoke out against Lear’s decision to disown Cordelia Lear banished him. In old age, daughters are to care for their elderly fathers; when Goneril and Regan betrayed him Lear’s perceived relationship between a father and daughter started to deconstruct. Unable to handle the change Lear, started going mad; while out roaming on the outskirts of his daughters’ homes he realized how bad of a father he was for disowning Cordelia, adding guilt to his already crippling mind. Lear’s perceptions becoming deconstructed combined with his decaying mental state due to age and guilt, show how Lear’s madness was