Loyalty In King Lear

"Loyalty" is a well know theme throughout the play King Lear. Loyalty is very difficult to find in people, it is something that is needs to be shown not just said. Loyalty is seen in three characters, Kent, Cordeila and the Fool. They have shown loyalty to Lear in both his good and bad situations. Lear misinterprets most of the loyal characters actions, for disrespect as well as dishonor; when truthfully those same people are those who help him, along with stayed loyal to him. Lear in the end realizes who had been loyal to him all along.

One character that had remained loyal to Lear is Kent. Kent remained by Lear's side even when Lear banished him from the land. Kent has always been open minded towards lear and was never afraid to speak

The fool is also full of wisdom, and is not afraid to tell things how he sees them. The Fool, a lot like Kent does not care about the consequences of his words or actions, he speaks his mind and stands by Lear’s side through his bad experience. The Fool’s purpose is to lighten up the mood, but in reality, through his bluntness he opens Lear’s eyes about the wrongs he had done by giving up his kingdom and power, Since Lear did not want to listen to everyone else’s warnings, the Fool harshly tells him his mistakes in order to make Lear see and notice his actions.Later on, the Fool decides that he is better off being with Lear, and accompanies him through his miserable journey. The Fool shows his loyalty through his bluntness, but he speaks and acts with good and real intentions towards Lear. He is fully loyal to Lear, even though his personal status is not as high as the royalty, the Fool is so full of both his quality of being wise and knowledge, and eventually his loyalty to the King leads him to his own death. Having power and royalty on your side means nothing compared to loyalty and friendship and in the end Lear realizes that. The Fool’s character is an example of that, because he is not royalty, nor does he have any money or power, but his loyalty with regards to Lear is highly more appreciated than those who have power with no good

Although Cordelia is disowned as Lear's daughter, she has all reasons to hate Lear, but chooses not to. Instead she chooses to demonstrate her true love and loyalty towards her father throughout the play. Cordelia having all the reasons to ignore and hate her father, she chooses to see him for his tragic misery and insanity and says: Without taking advantage of Lear's condition, she tries to restore his sanity and faith and clarifies to Lear Cordelia shows her loyalty by actions and words, by saying that she does not hate him nor does she have any reason to. Instead she chooses to help, clothe, and shelter her father rather than banishing him like her two sisters did. Cordelia is one of the people who care and appreciate Lear after giving up all his power, his land, and his home. That is the true raw meaning of loyalty To provide help to another person in their time of need, and forgiving them when they are in the wrong, and forgetting the past. Cordelia’s actions speak for her; she does not hold anything against her father and still honors Lear as her father. Loyalty does not have a price, or personal status, nor can it be replaced with power or