Loyalty In Shakespeare's King Lear

In Shakespeare's King Lear, characters are categorized into three distinct groups of malevolence, ignorance, and benevolence. Cordelia and Kent are the characters most prominently defined by their inherent goodness. This goodness is primarily exemplified in their unwavering desire to help King Lear. In contrast to the kindness of these characters is a kingdom plagued by blindness, viciousness, and mal intent. In this environment, one’s ability to disguise one’s own true goodness directly relates to their ability to survive the evils that perpetually surround them. From the moment she is introduced, Cordelia is depicted as an honest and compassionate daughter to an ignorant king. While her sisters grossly exaggerate their love for their father

Much like Cordelia, his well-intentioned honesty regarding his thoughts on Cordelia’s banishment are misinterpreted by Lear, and he himself is banished (19). However, unlike Cordelia, Kent learns from this experience that compassion and honesty can be easily misconstrued due to ignorance and poor judgement. Kent’s commitment to the King causes him to return to Lear’s side disguised as a servant (43). His kindness and sense of loyalty compel him to remain devoted to Lear; he harbors no resentment towards Lear, even though the King didn’t always respect him. Kent’s innate goodness is what leads him to continue helping Lear, but it is the concealment of this true motivation that allows him to do so. Kent assists Lear through his bouts of war and insanity, implying in a conversation with Cordelia that his disguise is instrumental in his ability to do so (215). Kent’s willingness to sacrifice his pre existing identity to disguise himself as a servant allows him to remain selflessly loyal to Lear while also surviving in a social environment where kindness and honesty are openly ridiculed due to ignorance and corruption. Although it is implied that Kent wants to commit suicide after the death of Lear, he isn’t defeated by those who forced him to conceal his genuine motivations. Ultimately, Kent’s disguise allows him to take control of his fate after