King Lear as a Tragedy Caused by Arrogance, Rash Decisions and Poor Judgement of Character

King Lear as a Tragedy Caused by Arrogance, Rash Decisions and Poor Judgement of Character

Shakespeare lays out the fate of all the characters in Ling Lear

within the first scene of the play, leaving no doubt in the audience's

mind that a terrible mistake is taking place, because of the way other

characters react, Kent for example. Ironically the king states his

wish "that future strife be prevented" by his division of the kingdom

between his three daughters on declarations of their love. He is both

naïve and vain in believing that carving up his kingdom in this way

will create anything other than rivalry and disaster. Two of his

daughters, Goneril and Regan, are prepared to flatter him because they

both have ambitions for power and wealth, while the youngest,

Cordelia, will not exaggerate her true feelings: that of a loving

daughter, "I love your majesty according to my bond: nor more nor

less."

The king ignores the Earl of Kent who tries to defend Cordelia and

banishes him for daring to speak out. Without hesitation he cuts off

one of his most loyal people without considering the consequences.

This act weakens him but he is so arrogant that he won't listen to

criticism: everyone is wrong who disagrees with him. Shakespeare shows

a king here who cannot judge a situation rationally or with a view to

future implications. The king prefers the over the top flattery of his

eldest daughters, though their words, as any audience would detect,

are false and scheming. "Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty,"

Goneril says. And Regan declares she is "an enemy to all other joys".

Cordelia reacts fearfully in an aside "Then poor Cordelia," but

determines to be honest. Lear, of course is blind to this, highly

delighted with Goneril and Regan's unrealistic praise, he judges

Cordelia's simple statement more as insult than proper emotion from a

daughter.

The play starts with the decisive moment, the carving up of a kingdom.

But we get a good idea of what it was like before.