Free Will In Shakespeare's King Lear

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In Shakespeare’s the dramatic tragedy which is King Lear, we are introduced to the Earl of Kent, earl of Gloucester and his illegitimate son, Edmund. In the mist of Gloucester’s mockery of his adultery and youngest son’s conception, the reason for the season is revealed: King Lear will be dividing his kingdom amongst his three daughters, before his death, in order to avoid strife. This is also the day that the princes of France and Burgundy will rival for the youngest daughter, Cordelia’s, hand in marriage. “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” ignited the sparks, soon to turn ablaze of the kingdom. Using bombastic speeches, Goneril and Regan proclaim their love for Lear which, seemed to more than life itself. For Cordelia, when asked, …show more content…

Here we also learn that Regan and Cornwall fled to Gloucester’s to avoid Lear and mentor Edmund because, of the honorable character traits he displays in this time of chaos. On the way to deliver the letters, Kent and Oswald come to an impasse, each other. Cornwall comes to the rescue of the noxious, cowardly, disrespectful Oswald, however Caius is left in the stocks to rot. An incredulous Lear receives the final coup de grâce from Regan, as she breaks the axiom news to him, “What need one?” as he has gone from having 100 knights to 50 to none. As a storm brews in the skies, we witness the parallelism between the turmoil of the families mirroring the chaos of nature and the country. On the heath, a gentleman gives word that France has used Britain’s “negligence” against them and advanced to Dover. King Lear also sees an enlightenment of what he is culpable of, through being humble and self-pity, realizing that he is a “man more sinned against than sinning” and his “wits begin to turn.” Gloucester, currently inquires word that Cordelia has come to save her father. He is prompted to come to Lear’s aid, not knowing sharing this information would lead to the altitude of betrayal from his son, …show more content…

While all of this is happening, Edgar, still disguised, restores Gloucester’s self-purpose and desire to live, twice, as he was on the precipice of depression, suicide and wanted by the quasi-murderer, Oswald. Edgar killed Oswald, by doing so, he gathered information on Goneril’s intentions of the death of her husband. Lear is now dressed in a gown and covered in flowers, completely insane but still holds insight in his words to show what he has learned. Lear is then captured by the reunion of himself and Cordelia, begging for her forgiveness as Cordelia empathizes with him to show the purity in her nature. This story does not share the common happy ever after, as we approach the battle of good vs. evil, evil prevails; All the darkness comes to light, Regan gives her power to Edmund and he reveals his faux love for both sisters and plans to end Albany’s intentional mercy to Lear and Cordelia., as he rises in his own estimation, taking Lear and Cordelia as prisoners of war. Seemingly unstoppable, Albany accuses Edmund of treason and challenges him to a sword fight as Regan cries in agony, unknowing being poisoned by Goneril, leading to her death. Then, enters Edgar as also challenging Edmund to a dual to avenge his father’s death of a broken heart and happiness of their

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