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King Lear Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

Below you will find four outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “King Lear” by William Shakespeare that can be used as essay starters. All four incorporate at least one of the themes found in “King Lear” and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements offer a short summary of “King Lear” in terms of different elements that could be important in an essay. You are, of course, free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of  important quotes from”King Lear”  on our quotes page, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Thesis Statement #1: Parallel Characters

In  King Lear , there are many similarities between the characters of King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester. Lear’s daughters Regan and Goneril seek to betray him, much like Gloucester’s illegitimate son Edmund does him. Lear and Gloucester both end up in the heath in exile. Many parallels exist between the two characters. Explore their similarities as well as their differences.

Thesis Statement #2: The Purpose of Self-Exile

When King Lear realizes the mistakes he has made in judging his daughters, as well as the depth of Regan and Goneril’s betrayal, he runs away to the heath. He wanders around in the storm in full blown madness. He has already divided his kingdom and given up his power. He is ashamed to go to Cordelia because of how he treated her. Is it better for Lear to have resorted to self-exile? What purpose does the self-exile serve for Lear and the plot?

Thesis Statement #3: The Shakespearean Tragedy

True to Shakespearean tragedy form, almost all of the main characters are dead by the end of the play. Explore the various means by which each character dies. Discuss the possible reasons for choosing to leave Albany and Edgar alive to take over from everyone else’s deaths.

Thesis Statement #4: The Duke of Albany and His Role

The Duke of Albany is married to Goneril in  King Lear . Although he remains on the same side as his wife, he often disagrees with her actions and decisions. During the battle with France, Albany tries to spare Lear and Cordelia, but is unknowingly undermined by Edmund. Then Albany encourages Lear to resume the throne, which Lear refuses. Throughout the play, Albany often tries to diffuse the severity of Goneril’s actions. Trace how Albany’s influence affects the other characters in the play.

100+ King Lear Essay Topics

Table of Contents

What is a King Lear Essay?

A King Lear essay is an academic paper focusing on William Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear”. The play is rich with themes of power, love, betrayal, and madness. Because of its depth and numerous subplots, it offers a wealth of topics for deep analysis and exploration. Whether you’re discussing character development, the play’s historical context, or its many symbols, a King Lear essay allows for a broad spectrum of discussion and analysis.

Choosing the Perfect King Lear Essay Topic: A Quick Guide

Selecting a topic for your King Lear essay requires a deep understanding of the play’s themes and characters. Here’s a brief guide to help you:

• Read the Play Thoroughly: Understand the story, its characters, and underlying themes.
• Identify Your Interest: Choose a theme or character that resonates with you.
• Research: Look for academic papers and discussions around that theme or character to get different perspectives.
• Be Specific: Narrow down your topic to ensure you can cover it in depth.
• Seek Feedback: Discuss your topic idea with peers or professors to refine it further.

King Lear Essay Topics Lists

Character analysis.

• The transformation of King Lear: From pride to madness.
• Cordelia’s role: Innocence and morality amidst deceit.
• The Machiavellian nature of Edmund.
• The tragic fall of Gloucester and its parallels with Lear.

Themes and Motifs

• The consequences of betrayal in King Lear.
• The role of nature and storm in representing Lear’s internal turmoil.
• Blindness vs. insight: A study of perception in King Lear.
• The juxtaposition of wisdom and foolishness throughout the play.
• The significance of the Fool and his role in the narrative.
• Clothes and their portrayal of identity and deception.

Historical and Cultural Context

• King Lear in the context of Elizabethan societal values.
• Comparing King Lear to other Shakespearean tragedies.

Literary Devices

• Use of irony in King Lear.
• The role of dramatic monologues in developing character depth.

Comparative Studies

• King Lear and Oedipus Rex: A comparative tragedy study.
• King Lear in modern adaptations: A study of film and theater renditions.

Character Exploration

• The multi-faceted nature of King Lear’s madness.
• The motives and morality of Edmund, the illegitimate son.
• Goneril and Regan’s descent into cruelty and deceit.
• Cordelia: The epitome of virtue in a world gone mad.
• Kent’s unwavering loyalty: A character study.
• The Fool: Wisdom in simplicity and jest.

Thematic Analyses

• Familial love versus political ambition.
• The frailty of human nature in the face of deceit.
• Madness as a reflection of societal disorder.
• Nature’s fury as a mirror to human emotion in King Lear.
• The consequences of blind trust.
• Age and youth: Conflicts and misunderstandings in King Lear.

Symbolism and Imagery

• The storm: Chaos within and without.
• Eyesight and insight: The tragedy of literal and metaphorical blindness.
• The role of animals in depicting human depravity.
• The significance of the crown and the loss of royal dignity.

Gender and Society

• Femininity and power: A look at the roles of Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia.
• Gender roles and expectations in Elizabethan society versus King Lear.
• The portrayal of women as villains and victims.
• The interplay between masculinity, power, and vulnerability.

Historical Context

• The political underpinnings of King Lear in Shakespeare’s time.
• The significance of the play’s setting between Paganism and Christianity.
• Comparing the two versions of King Lear: Quarto vs. Folio.
• The role of monarchy and succession debates in King Lear’s narrative.

Comparative Analyses

• King Lear and Macbeth: A study in tragic flaws.
• The tragic heroes: Oedipus vs. King Lear.
• Power dynamics: Comparing King Lear with Game of Thrones.
• Parent-child relationships in King Lear and Hamlet.

Literary Devices and Techniques

• Dramatic irony in the downfall of King Lear.
• Use of soliloquies in understanding characters’ psychologies.
• The role of subplots in enriching the main narrative.
• The interplay of prose and verse in King Lear.

Modern Interpretations and Adaptations

• Analyzing Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” as an adaptation of King Lear.
• King Lear in the digital age: Modern retellings and interpretations.
• Setting King Lear in a corporate world: A thematic exploration.
• How contemporary theater stages King Lear.

Philosophy and Morality

• Existential themes in King Lear.
• The play’s exploration of justice and divine retribution.
• Nihilism and despair in King Lear’s darkest moments.
• Ethics of power and leadership as depicted in the play.

Staging and Performance

• The challenges and nuances of staging King Lear’s storm scene.
• Role of costumes and set design in bringing out the play’s themes.
• Evolution of King Lear’s character portrayal in theater over the centuries.
• The role of music and sound in enhancing King Lear’s tragic atmosphere.

Miscellaneous Topics

• The psychology of betrayal in King Lear.
• The cultural impact of King Lear in literature and art.
• Analyzing King Lear’s themes in the context of family therapy.
• The archetype of the tragic hero through King Lear.
• The exploration of mortality and legacy in King Lear.
• Nature, nurture, and the environment in the world of King Lear.

Role of Secondary Characters

• The significance of Edgar’s transformation into “Poor Tom”.
• Oswald’s loyalty: A contrasting perspective.
• Albany and Cornwall: A study in contrasting leadership styles.
• How secondary characters elevate the play’s primary themes.

Narrative Techniques

• The use of letters and written communication in forwarding the plot.
• King Lear as a play within a play: Performance and perception.
• The significance of off-stage events and their impact on the narrative.

Psychological Perspectives

• King Lear: A case study in cognitive decline and dementia.
• Sibling rivalry and Freudian interpretations in King Lear.
• The psychological toll of power and authority.

Religious Undertones

• Divine justice vs. earthly justice in King Lear.
• Pagan beliefs and Christian morality: A dichotomy in King Lear.
• The concept of redemption and sacrifice in the play.

Societal Critiques

• King Lear as a critique of feudalism.
• The role of class and hierarchy in the tragic events of the play.
• Shakespeare’s view on authority and governance through King Lear.

Artistic Interpretations

• The visual imagery of King Lear and its impact on audiences.
• The role of silence in King Lear: What’s left unsaid.
• Representations of King Lear in art, music, and other forms of media.

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King Lear Essays

Shakespeare’s King Lear examines the politics of betrayal and the awful costs paid by its victims. Nowhere in the play are these costs more apparent than in those scenes in which Lear and his exiled companions find themselves caught in the midst of a thunderstorm unsheltered. As King, Lear...

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King Lear: Conspiracy in Nakedness and Dress Nakedness and dress in Shakespeare's King Lear, represented the status of a character. Many scenes use clothing to show one characters dominance over another. The more opulent the clothing, the higher the status, or the lack of clothing, the lower the...

The Deception in King Lear William Shakespeare's play King Lear is a play full of deceit, betrayal and meaningless promises. This becomes evident in the first few lines. We first learn of the empty words of Goneril and Regan as well as their hatred for their father, King Lear. This becomes the...

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King Lear Themes Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent relates to the theme of justice. Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that allows us to see man's decent into chaos. Although Lear is perceived as [trx_quote title="William Shakespeare, King Lear Themes...

1 819 words

King Lear: Lear The Tragic Hero The definition of tragedy in the Oxford dictionary is, "drama of elevated theme and diction and with unhappy ending; sad event, serious accident, calamity. " However, the application of this terminology in Shakespearean Tragedy is more expressive. Tragedy does not...

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King Lear: Consequences of One Man's Decisions Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear is a detailed description of the consequences of one man's decisions. This fictitious man is Lear, King of England, who's decisions greatly alter his life and the lives of those around him. As Lear bears the status of...

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King Lear: Suffering Suffering takes on many appearances, depending on how it is received. In King Lear, suffering was very painful to two people, and the giver wasn't necessarily an enemy, pain can be from the ones you love. A storm isn't something you wouldn't think of when pain comes to mind...

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1 157 words

A device which Shakespeare often utilized to convey the confusion and chaos within the plot of his plays, is the reflection of that confusion and chaos in the natural environment of the setting, along with supernatural anomalies and animal imageries. In King Lear, these devices are used to...

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Shakespeare's King Lear is a story of treachery and deceit. The villainy of the play knows no bounds. Family lines are ignored in an overwhelming quest for power. This villainy is epitomized in the character of Edmund, bastard son of the Earl of Gloucester. Terms to describe Edmund might include...

?How central is the idea of a ? fatal flaw' in King Lear? ' More than any of Shakespeare's plays, King Lear explores the concept of a fatal flaw and the terrible downfall it could lead to. It is indeed the most central idea in the play. Shakespeare shows us how one flaw in an otherwise normal...

Power is the ability to manipulate and control whatever one desires; to do what one pleases to do without answering to authority. The power that corrupts the characters plays an extensive role throughout Shakespeare's play, King Lear. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power that Lear offers...

King Lear—A Man More Sinned Against Than Sinning? A King is supposed to have all that he needs without having to worry about anything in his late years. Yet King Lear, in Act 3, Scene 2, cried out in pitifully: “I am a man / More sinned against than sinning. ” Although Lear has...

1 363 words

In Act 1, Scene 1 Kent says, "See better, Lear. " How does Lear ? see' more clearly by Act V Scene 3, and what has led him to this? King Lear of Britain, the ageing protagonist in Shakespeare's tragic play undergoes radical change as a man, father and king as the plot progresses when forced to...

1 732 words

The play of "King Lear" is about a person in search of their own personal identity. In the historical period in which this play is set, the social structure was set in order of things closest to Heaven. Therefore, on Earth, the king was at the top, followed by his noblemen and going all the way...

Shakespeare's King Lear is a play which shows the consequences of one man's decisions. The audience follows the main character, Lear, as he makes decisions that disrupt order in his Kingdom. When Lear surrenders all his power and land to his daughters as a reward for their demonstration of love...

Q: How does Shakespeare uses Imagery to show the development of theme and characters in King Lear and Hamlet? Ans: Shakespeare who was popular for his tragedies created two masterpieces which were quite different in plots but carried almost the same themes. They were two popular plays which...

2 296 words

William Shakespeare is probably the greatest dramatist of England. I think everyone has read one of his great plays or at least has seen one of the movies which are based on Shakespeare's work. In this essay I will compare two of his tragedies 'Hamlet, Prince of Denmark' and 'Tragedy of King Lear'...

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In many of the plays by William Shakespeare, the central character goes through internal and external changes that ultimately shake their foundations to the core. Numerous theories have been put forth to explain the sequence of tragedies Shakespeare wrote during this period by linking it to some...

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KING LEAR – William Shakespeare 2010 (i) “In King Lear honour and loyalty triumph over brutality and viciousness. ” Write your response to this statement suppor! ng your answer with suitable reference to the text. OR (ii) “In King Lear the villainous characters hold more fascina? on for the...

King Lear By: Bryce Romeo King Lear: Loyalty and Betrayal In William Shakespeare’s play, “King Lear”, the reader will see many juxtapositions throughout the scenes. One of these juxtapositions, is loyalty and betrayal. We will be taking a closer look at examples throughout the play. Goneril’s...

Raphaelle Broughton Assess the importance of loyalty in King Lear Shakespeare manipulates loyalty in the play, as the complete and utter devotion of some characters, for example Gloucester and Kent, emphasise just how terrible it is that Gonerill, Regan and Edmund turned so harshly against those...

English IV January 31, 2012 "Love, and be silent" As one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, the story of King Lear reflects the two extremes of human nature--love and loyalty, lies and betrayal. In such a complex world, Shakespeare ironically contrasts the physical qualities to the deeper...

Phillips 1 Sarah Phillips Ms. Moriconi AP English Language and Composition June 10, 2014 The Parallel Journeys of Families The infamous playwright, William Shakespeare’s, King Lear relays the story of a tragic hero and his family while paralleling it to the sub-plot within the tragedy. The story...

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King Lear tells of an old, senile ruler who, having given up his title, divides his land between his two villainous daughters, and his third daughter is exiled. Parallel to Lears situation is the sub-plot of Gloucester, whose bastard son betrays him and his legitimate son Edgar. Shakespeare...

96 King Lear Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best king lear topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting king lear topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about king lear, ❓ king lear essay questions.

• King Lear Themes, Characters, & Analysis Essay As explained by Al Zoubi and Al Khamaiseh, during the ceremony, Goneril and Regan, the oldest and the middle daughters, use flatter and insincere speech to prove their love to the father.
• Tragic Redemption in “King Lear” by Shakespeare King Lear and the other characters that were at fault in the beginning of the play are redeemed in the end by the tragic death of the most innocent character. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Major Themes in the Play “King Lear” by William Shakespeare The madness is connected to the trouble that befalls the King later in his helpless state as he faces all sorts of mistreatments from the two daughters whom he gives the mandate to run the […]
• Regan and Goneril in “King Lear” by Shakespeare Regan and Goneril are portrayed with various defiant actions against the inequalities occurring in the contemporary society of the male-dominated world. The female archetype is described as an element of the oppression in the patriarchal […]
• Comparison of “Hamlet”, “King Lear” and “Othello” by Shakespeare Iago’s reports and the loss of the handkerchief appear to Othello reliable proofs of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, and under the effect of anger the protagonist is both unable and unwilling to do further investigation.
• Individual’s Sense of Entitlement and Destructive Behavior in “King Lear” A sense of entitlement can arise from the way a person is treated or from their temperament and as such, it is a dangerous attitude to acquire or encourage because it may lead to disparaging […]
• Villains in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” In his turn, Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, is a character who would never commit crimes and cruelty to admire the results of villainous actions.
• Shakespeare Tragedies: Macbeth and King Lear At the beginning of the play, he decides to abdicate his throne and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. This choice eventually undermines the ethical integrity of this character, and he murders murder to […]
• Analysis of King Lear and Paradise Lost One son in particular, Edmund, allows the pain of being born a bastard and the rejection of his father to skew his view of the world and the intentions of his ambition.
• Literature Studies: King Lear by William Shakespeare Bad luck is clear in the story through the inconsistent relationship between King Lear and his daughters as well as from the role of dishonesty and power in the play.
• Shakespeare’s King Lear: A Bad Judgment Turns Tragic However, in this play, we can be witnesses to a fact that all of the pain that King Lear had undergone can be cathartic.
• “King Lear ” by William Shakespeare At the end of the day, the character learns the price of such a fatal mistake which is betrayal and loss of everything he loved in his life. The theme of the transformational power of […]
• King Lear as a Depiction of Shakespeare’s Era First of all, in order to depict the universality of the events, to show that this is not a particular case he describes but the characteristics of his epoque, Shakespeare doubled the plot, telling, in […]
• Deception in King Lear, The Odyssey and Gilgamesh The forms of deception in the book seem to come effortlessly to Odysseus, and the stories he tells throughout the book serve to protect him and his family.
• Quotes From Tragedy of King Lear by Shakespeare Chapter three in the book of Genesis tells about the temptation of a woman by the serpent and the violation of the prohibition on eating fruits from the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.
• Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “A Thousand Acres” Film The task of A Thousand Acres is to demonstrate the relevance and popularity of the primary source among the modern reader, simultaneously with criticism and rethinking of specific points.
• Shakespeare and His View on Kingship: Macbeth, King Lear and Othello At the same time, it is beyond doubt in the basement Macbeth’s character is clean and as a soldier, he is true to his job and his king.
• Personal Conflict of King Lear in Play by Shakespeare From the beginning of the story, he managed to set the readers against the king, which makes the majority of them support the daughters in the conflict between them and the king, the conflict that, […]
• Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and Smiley’s “A Thousand Acres” In King Lear and A Thousand of Acres, the destinies of both King Lear and Larry Cook encounter unfair attitudes toward daughters and death, as a result. Lear and Larry are in despair because of […]
• King Lear’s Cataclysm: Analysis of Shakespeare’s Plays He does this by allocating his land and property to his three daughters to the degree to which they are able to convince him that they love him.
• “King Lear” by William Shakespeare: A Play Review by Jeremy Bryson Gloucester, in response to the attack on Edmond, promises to bring Edgar to justice, and also states that he is going to make Edmond his heir.
• Language of Henry V and King Lear by W. Shakespeare The most obvious similarities in the language of the two plays are that it takes a good actor to be able to deliver the lines at all, and a superb actor to be able to […]
• The Role of Trickery in Shakespear’s “King Lear” The trickster and the person being tricked, the switching that the trickster uses in order to play a trick on the person will also be put to light.
• Shakespeare’s “King Lear” Adaptation by Ian Pollock The panes are arranged in a way that helps to quickly and intuitively follow the major events and receive a clear picture of those before the actual reading of the utterances.
• Society Role in Literature: King Lear and Things Fall Apart The difference is that the leader of the plan is much tougher physically and emotionally, and it is evident that he would not give up his values and morals.
• Comparison of “Tuesdays With Morrie” by Mitch Albom and “King Lear” by William Shakespeare He is viewed as a man of wisdom, owing to the lessons he has learned from his sufferings since childhood, which he, in turn, teaches Albom.
• Similar Themes in the Movie “King Lear” and “About Schmidt” It is clear that both the film directors have used these themes in order to develop the plot of the respective movies and, at the same time, be in a position of expressing the ethical […]
• The Effective Usage of Subplots in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Gradual Diminishment of Control Within Lear’s Kingdom in Shakespeare’s Play “King Lear”
• The Idea of Imprisonment in the Plot of Shakespearean “King Lear”
• The Illustration of Consequences of One Man’s Decisions in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Use of Parallelism in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Importance and Role of Rejection in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Importance of Responsibilities in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• Relationship Themes Evident in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Importance of Sight and Blindness in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Important Contextual Influences on Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Madness of Edmund in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Many Effective Images Incorporated Into William Shakespeare’s Play “King Lear”
• The Metaphor of Being Blind in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Natural Response of a Person to Judgement in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Opposing Views to Lear’s Temperament in the Play “King Lear”
• Patience Standards Portrayed in “King Lear” Drama
• The Play “King Lear” and the Audience’s Minds During Watching a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Power of Religious Redemption in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Protagonist’s Attainment of Self Knowledge in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Use of Paradox as Related to the Theme of Truth in “King Lear”
• The Theme of Insight and Sight Between Gloucester and Lear in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Tangled Web of Secrets in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Representation of Women in “King Lear” and “The Vicar of Wakefield”
• The Road to Self-Knowledge in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Role of Femininity in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” “Othello,” and “King Lear”
• Cultural Heritage Portrayed in “King Lear” Play
• The Significance of Nature in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Similarities of Events That Lear and Gloucestor Experienced in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Story of Treachery and Deceit in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Themes of Sanity and Madness in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Temporal Allusions in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Theme of Consciousness in “King Lear” by Shakespeare
• The Themes of Deception and Shame in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”
• The Test of Love in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Three Major Roles of the Fool in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Tragedy Ending in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Tragic Consequence of Blindness in “King Lear”
• The Themes of Gender and Sexuality in Sigmund Freud’s “Dora” and William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Tragic Heroes in “King Lear,” “Hamlet,” and “Oedipus Rex”
• The Recurring Theme of Sight Against Blindness in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• The Trait of Goodness in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
• The Use of Motif on Filial Responsibility in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”
• What Will Make “King Lear” Continue to Be Worthy of Critical Study?
• How Is Power Shown in “King Lear”?
• How Does Shakespeare Set up the Beginning Scene of “King Lear”?
• What Important Changes Happen to Lear in “King Lear”?
• What Are Two Key Scenes From “King Lear” by William Shakespeare?
• What Are the Three Mental Stages of King Lear in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare?
• How Does Shakespeare Use the Fool in “King Lear”?
• How Does Shakespeare Explore Nature in “King Lear”?
• What Is the Basic Story of “King Lear”?
• How Does Shakespeare’s “King Lear” Hold Its Appeal to a Modern Audience?
• What Are the Most Important Themes in “King Lear”?
• What Does “King Lear” Learn From His Sufferings?
• What Mental Illness Does “King Lear” Have?
• How Are Sibling Relationships Presented in “King Lear”?
• Is King Lear a Sympathetic Figure or a Victim of His Own Flaws?
• How Does Shakespeare Present Edmund in “King Lear”?
• Does “King Lear” Present an Implicit Theory of Leadership?
• What Is the Significance of the English Language in “King Lear”?
• Is There a Moral to the Play “King Lear”?
• What Does the Play “King Lear” Teach About Patience?
• To What Extent Does Fate Determine the Characters’ Actions and Outcomes in “King Lear”?
• What Is the Conclusion of “King Lear”?
• Was “King Lear” Mad or Suffering From Senility?
• How the Sub-Plot Mirrors the Main Plot in “King Lear” by William Shakespeare?
• How Clothing Imagery Defines the Characters Within “King Lear”?
• What Is “King Lear” Most Known For?
• Does “King Lear” Play the Tragic Hero or the Autocrat?
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William Shakespeare

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Fathers, Children, and Siblings

The personal drama of King Lear revolves around the destruction of family relationships. Tragedy emerges from bonds broken between parents and children—and, at a secondary level, from the loss of ties among siblings. Lear, misreading Cordelia's understated, but true, devotion to him renounces his "parental care" (1.1.127) of her. This rejection is twofold. Lear withdraws his "father's heart" (1.1.142); he also strips Cordelia of the financial and political support that formerly made her attractive to…

Authority and Order

At the beginning of the play, Lear is an authority figure, embodying order in his own person and commanding it from his family and followers. (This is how he is able to compel his elder two daughters to participate in the dramatic ceremony dividing the kingdom by professing their absolute love on cue, precisely when he demands it; this is why Gloucester, Kent, and others respectfully watch the ceremony unfold, despite thinking that Lear's plan…

Disintegration, Chaos, Nothingness

Although Lear begins as a figure of authority and order, when he gives up his power and Goneril and Regan turn against him, he falls apart, going mad. Moreover, his personal decline parallels a farther-reaching dissolution of order and justice in the British state. Lear's error, based on blindness and misjudgment, doesn't just ruin him personally. It leads to a political situation in which there is no order to guarantee justice, despite his (and Gloucester's)…

Originally, Lear wishes to free himself of the burdens of ruling his kingdom because he is aware of his old age and wishes to "crawl unburdened toward death" (1.1.42). As his choice of the verb "crawl" suggests, Lear has a sense that old age forces the individual to remember his or her animal aspect—that is, the fact that human beings, like animals, are subjected to the forces of physical nature and have physical needs.

Fooling and Madness

From early on in the play, the Fool is probably the character with the greatest insight into what the consequences of Lear's misjudgments of his daughters will be. (The Fool's only competition in this respect comes from Kent in 1.1; in 1.2 Gloucester seems only to have a vague intuition that Lear's decision was a mistake.) Calling Lear himself a Fool and admonishing him that he has reduced himself to "nothing" by dividing and handing…

Blindness and Insight

The tragic errors that King Lear and Gloucester make in misjudging their children constitute a form of figurative blindness—a lack of insight into the true characters of those around them. Reminding the audience of this fact, the language of the play resounds with references to eyes and seeing from the very beginning. Cornwall and Regan make these images and metaphors of (failed) vision brutally literal when they blind Gloucester in 3.7. For the remainder of…

Theme Of Loyalty In King Lear

King Lear is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of a King who descends into madness after being betrayed by his daughters. The play explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and love. King Lear is a tragedy that ends in the deaths of many of its characters. Despite this, the play also has moments of hope and redemption.

The character of Cordelia, for example, represents loyalty and filial love. She is ultimately hanged but her death is an act of self-sacrifice that redeems her father and teaches him the value of true loyalty. King Lear is a complex play that examines the nature of human relationships. It is a timeless classic that continues to be relevant today.

Loyalty, like trust, is one of the most valuable possessions that any person can give to you. In William Shakespeare’s play “King Lear,” loyalty is introduced as a theme. Throughout his characters Cordelia, Kent, and the Fool, King Lear’s actions rather than his words demonstrate their loyalty. Although King Lear treated these people badly, they were the main characters in the story who showed loyalty to him despite his horrible treatment towards them. These characters’ devotion to King Lear was unwavering in both good and bad situations.

King Lear is a play written by William Shakespeare that was first performed in 1606. The play is set in Britain and revolves around the King of Britain, King Lear, and his three daughters. King Lear had previously given up his power to his two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, due to their flattering words towards him. However, he banishes his youngest daughter, Cordelia, after she refuses to say anything flattering and instead speaks the truth.

King Lears’ decision to banish Cordelia comes back to haunt him as Goneril and Regan begin to mistreat him. King Lear then seeks refuge with his loyal servant Kent who disguises himself as a peasant in order to stay close to King Lear. King Lear also has a Fool who is also loyal to King Lear and provides him with words of wisdom.

Loyalty is seen throughout the characters Cordelia, Kent, and the Fool, due to their actions and not their words. Although King Lear mistreated these characters they were the main characters in the book who demonstrate loyalty towards King Lear despite his cruel actions towards them. Throughout King Lear’s good and bad conditions these characters loyalty for King Lear never changed.

This was first seen when King Lear banished Cordelia from his sight after she refused to say anything flattering about him (Shakespeare 1.1.95-118). Despite being banished by her father, Cordelia still showed her loyalty when she came back to save her father from execution (Shakespeare 4.7.35-39).

Loyalty, madness, and power are the major themes in King Lear. While certain characters in the play are cruel and villainous, others exhibit great loyalty and selflessness. Kent and Edgar are rewarded for their loyalty, but Cordelia’s devotion leads to her death.

Madness: King Lear descends into madness during the play, as a result of his failings as a father and ruler. His madness causes him to make poor decisions that lead to disaster. Power: King Lear is preoccupied with power and status throughout the play. He struggles to maintain his grip on power as his kingdom falls apart. These themes are explored in greater detail below.

Loyalty is a key theme in King Lear. Kent demonstrates great loyalty to Lear when he remains loyal to him despite being banished. When Kent is arrested, he still refuses to betray Lear. Edgar also displays loyalty to his father, even after he is banished. He disguises himself as a madman in order to protect himself from those who would seek to harm him. Cordelia is the most loyal of all, refusing to falsely flatter her father in order to gain favor. Her loyalty leads to her death, but it is also ultimately what wins her father’s approval.

Madness is another key theme in King Lear. King Lear descends into madness during the play, as a result of his failings as a father and ruler. His madness causes him to make poor decisions that lead to disaster. Gloucester is also driven mad by his illegitimate son Edmund. As a result, he suffers a terrible physical injury.

Power is another central theme in King Lear. King Lear is preoccupied with power and status throughout the play. He struggles to maintain his grip on power as his kingdom falls apart. Gloucester is also interested in power, and he is willing to do anything to maintain his position. Edmund is motivated by power as well, and he is willing to betray anyone in order to achieve it. These characters provide a fascinating exploration of the dark side of human nature. In the end, King Lear loses everything due to his thirst for power.

Later in the play, when Kind Lear is put into a difficult situation, he recognizes who has been loyal to him all along. William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” depicts loyalty versus power, with Cordelia, Kent, and the Fool as characters who demonstrate the act of loyalty despite their accusations of disrespect and dishonor. Cordelia, also known as King Lear’s daughter, shows devotion towards her father (King Lear). Following his abandonment of all authority, land, and home to her mother (Cordelia), King Lear becomes reliant on his daughters for support.

King Lear banishes her from his sight because she refuses to lie to him and tell him what he wanted to hear. Despite the fact that King Lear banished Cordelia, she is still willing to help King Lear when he is in need. When King Lear goes mad, she is the only one who is willing to take care of him even though he did not treat her well when she was by his side. She shows how much she loves her father by forgiving all his wrong doings and still being there for him when he needed someone the most.

Another character who demonstrates loyalty is Kent. Kent is also known as Caius or Earl of Gloucester. He was also accused by King Lear of being disrespectful but, he was actually trying to help King Lear since he was not in his right mind. Kent was willing to give up everything he had just to make sure King Lear was okay.

King Lear also has a Fool in the play who is loyal to King Lear. The Fool is someone who always tells King Lear the truth, no matter how harsh it might be. He is there for King Lear when everyone else abandons him and makes sure that King Lear knows that he is still loved. These characters show how important loyalty is in a relationship and how it can be tested at times but, it will always prevail in the end.

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Shakespeare, Objects and Phenomenology pp 103–149 Cite as

King Lear : Illusion and Perspective

• Susan Sachon 4 , 5  
• First Online: 25 December 2019

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Shakespeare Studies ((PASHST))

Through phenomenological close-reading, conceptual metaphor and blending theories, Sachon uses Gloucester’s famous metaphorical cliff-climb (4.6) to examine how our perception of depth, height and distance shapes our spatial relationship to objects. As Shakespeare’s description orientates our perspective through the size of objects and bodies that fill this imaginary scene, it innately triggers anticipation of bodily movement , promoting experiential vividness. Using conceptual metaphor/blending theories, Sachon examines cognitive and intuitive connections linking our perception of size, perspective and movement to affect, empathy and emotion. Finally, she considers the introduction of a feather and dagger in 5.3, exploring the strong empathetic connection Shakespeare forges between play and audience through anticipation of movement , the sound and shape of language, dramatic structuring of scenes and the suggestion of illusion.

If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. ( King Lear , 4.6.172) 1

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Home > Graduate Research and Creative Practice > Masters Theses > 785

Masters Theses

“struck with her tongue”: speech, gender, and power in king lear.

Kate Downey Hickey , Grand Valley State University Follow

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English (M.A.)

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Benjamin G. Lockerd

Second Advisor

Rachel S. Anderson

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Robert A. Rozema

My thesis addresses the supposed sexism in William Shakespeare’s King Lear through an examination of the power of speech in the play. Employing a variety of scholarship, I argue that Cordelia exerts power both through prudent speech and in her silence, adhering to Renaissance expectations for women but also defying the unreasonable behavior of her father. I explore how Cordelia’s values are recognized by and through other characters, especially Lear’s Fool. While Cordelia is often viewed as the opposite of her sisters Goneril and Regan, I provide a reading of the play that treats all three sisters as complex characters rather than stereotypes. Employing Ian Pollock’s interpretation in his graphic novel Illustrated King Lear , I explicate how Goneril, Regan, and Edmund embrace speech and sex as means to power. After examining misogynistic passages and psychoanalytic interpretations, I determine that Lear’s sexism is a symptom of his own unnatural decisions and struggle with loss of power to his daughters. I argue that Lear is a misogynist, but Shakespeare was not. Contextualizing King Lear within Shakespeare’s body of work and audience expectations, I conclude that Shakespeare intentionally used the mode of tragedy to illustrate the folly of choosing personal desires over loyalty and responsibility. Shakespeare changed his sources to make the Lear story not only darker but also more complex and compelling, intentionally evoking strong audience reactions. I argue that Shakespeare ironically used Cordelia’s supposed silence and absence to centralize her as a second tragic hero, ultimately affirming the youngest daughter’s voice and value.

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Hickey, Kate Downey, "“Struck with Her Tongue”: Speech, Gender, and Power in King Lear " (2015). Masters Theses . 785. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/785

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Develop a thesis statement for KING LEAR: hidden loyalty/ blindness and sight / argument

turnips87 /   Jul 22, 2009   #1 I'm not sure which topic to choose...they both seem hard and confusing.. 1. Loyalty is a quality that has to be hidden in in the play King Lear. Why OR 2. Talk about the images of blindness and sight in the play King Lear. How are these images relevant to characterization, plot and theme? I need help with developing a thesis! Can someone help me?

EF_Simone 2 / 1,986   Jul 22, 2009   #2 The second seems easiest. How does blindness function as a metaphor in the play? What does Lear not see? How does his blindness to reality hurt him?

EF_Sean 6 / 3,491   Jul 26, 2009   #3 And if you go with 2, don't forget to focus heavily on Gloucester, whose sees most clearly when he has been blinded by Cornwall.

peachykeen 1 / 6   Nov 15, 2009   #4 King Lear Essay Thesis; any tips on how I can find something to argue? I have been trying to come up with a thesis for my King Lear essay for over a week now and I am still wrestling with it. The essay topic is: Compare the filial relationship of Gloucester and Edgar with that of Lear and Cordelia. How do these relationships comment upon one another? Consider the development of each relationship and it's conclusion. How does each relationship contribute to themes in the play, such as, self-knowledge, nature, appearance-and-reality? Avoid plot summary. I want to say something about how both relationships come to a tragic and wholly preventable end due to the paternal figure's incorrect perception of reality and perhaps how the play cautions against the dangers of being led astray by false perceptions. That just seems kind of obvious to me, though. It doesn't answer the so what question. I've made a list of major similarities and differences in the courses of the two relationships throughout the play, but I can't seem to come up with anything that is really arguable. Does anyone have any tips on how I can find something to argue? What do you do when you're stuck on your thesis? I want to be clear that I'm not asking for a thesis, just any help on how to come up with one myself would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Sarah

peachykeen 1 / 6   Nov 18, 2009   #6 Check thesis - King Lear This is the thesis I have developed for my essay on King Lear: Lear and Gloucester's journeys in relation their respective children, Cordelia and Edgar, explore the theme of conversion and salvation. Both fathers sin against their children, must be stripped of their worldly preoccupations before they can recognize the truth, and finally accept their child's unconditional love and the salvation that comes with it. What needs to be clearer? Is it debatable enough? Is it incomplete? Does it give too much information? Is the phrasing awkward? Should it be more concise? Any other improvements you could suggest would be much appreciated. My TA's major criticism of my last essay was that my thesis should have been more sophisticated and less even-handed, so I want to make sure I have a good thesis this time. Thanks! Sarah

pheelyks - / 19   Nov 20, 2009   #8 Being fairly familiar with King Lear, I think I understand your TA's objection (though I agree with Kevin that the point should have been made clearer). Your thesis essentially states what happens in the play, without noting the drastic differences that exist in the parental relationships between Lear and Cordelia and Gloucester and Edgar. Lear's sin against his daughter comes from his own pride, whereas Gloucester's comes from foolishness--he allows himself to be tricked by his other son, Edmond. How do the differences in their sins affect their relationships with their children? With themselves? With each other? It is true that they both eventually find salvation and love of sorts, but in very different ways--what about their circumstances cause these differences? Your thesis outlines their similarities very well, but these characters are not presented side by side in the play because they are the same, but rather because they are very different when closely examined. This is where your thesis should explore.