King Lear Essay

In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, the title character spoke the line that he is “a man/ More sinn’d against than sinning” (3. ii. 59-60). He claims that more wrong had been done upon him than how much wrong he’s committed against others. And though Lear committed several erroneous mistakes throughout the play, ultimately his declaration is true. Firstly, his daughter Goneril is enraged by the boisterous actions of his camp, consisting of a “troop with majesty…/ With reservation of an hundred knights” (1. I. 131-132), at her home, and tells him “to disquantify [his] train” (1. iv. 238). A large portion of Lear’s identity and self-worth derives from his power; as a king, he is accustomed to being highly influential. However, after

It becomes apparent that the sudden betrayal of Goneril and Regan blindsides Lear, the shock of which begins to destabilize Lear’s sanity and well-being. Lastly, the largest sin done upon Lear is the death of his daughter, Cordelia, after they are reunited, wherein he says “I might have saved her. Now she’s gone for ever!/ Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little.”(5. iii. 269-270) It is quite clear that Cordelia’s death has deeply affected Lear, and placed him in a state of heavy remorse and guilt. It is said early in the play that Cordelia is his favourite child, when he says that he “lov’d her most” (1. i. 122). Also, it is stated both implicitly and explicitly throughout the play that Lear places a heavy amount of his self-worth on his ability to be a good father, and to nurture and care for his daughters, and vice versa. Thus, it is quite apparent and justified that Cordelia's, which he witnessed firsthand, would make him feel very depressed. His depression is best exemplified when he howls “Cordelia, Cordelia!” in despair and begs her to “stay a little”, which also reveals how delusional he is aware she is dead yet begs for her to stay