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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page essay that examines Shakespeare's King Lear as a journey. The writer argues that the aging monarch goes on a journey of self-discovery that is both literal and metaphorical, in that Lear actually does "journey" in the narrative, as well as explore the depths of his own psyche and soul. Throughout this sojourn, different emotions serve to shape Lear's consciousness, affecting what he learns and the enlightenment that comes, which is his ultimate destination. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khjolr.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
as well as explore the depths of his own psyche and soul. Throughout this sojourn, different emotions serve to shape Lears consciousness, affecting what he learns and the enlightenment that
comes, which is his ultimate destination. King Lear is basically a morality play, since the aging Lear has no real understanding of the character of his daughters at the beginning
of the play, or of himself. However, the travails that he undergoes after renouncing his throne teach him the true meaning of love, as well as duty. At the beginning
of the play, Lear subjects each of his daughters to a "love" test. In act I, Scene I, Lear makes the announcement that he wishes to retire and
divide his kingdom between his daughters. The student researching this topic should be aware from the viewpoint of Shakespeares Elizabethan audience such a pronouncement would have been viewed as quite
shocking. An analogous situation might have occurred if Lincoln had said it was alright for the South to leave the Union, as what Lear is proposing is the equivalent
of dividing up the body politic of his time. The whole intent of the "love" test, i.e. asking his daughters which of them loves him the most, is to
provide an excuse for allotting the largest share of his kingdom to Cordelia, his favorite. Lear states that the test is so that "we our largest bounty may extend/ where
nature doth with merit challenge" (Act I, scene 1, lines 53-54). The seriousness of this act is difficult for a modern day individual to comprehend. In Shakespeares time, one simply
did not willingly divide up a country, violate the order of succession, or "retire" from public office. The king or queen held a divinely appointed place in the social hierarchy.
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