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Violence In King Lear Essay

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Widely regarded as one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, King Lear boasts violent interactions that are unmatched by nearly all works of contemporary drama and literature. Given the bloody aftermath that results from King Lear’s downfall, violent encounters are abundant throughout the entirety of the well-known play. Throughout King Lear, violence is manifested in many forms, specifically between man and nature and man and man. While violence between man and nature is characterized as a natural force that serves to bring individuals together, violence between man and man is characterized as an unnatural force that serves to tear individuals apart. Overpowering and abundant, it is the overwhelming presence of unnatural violence that ultimately leads to the untimely downfall of the King and his Kingdom. Throughout King Lear, the presence of violence between man and nature is characterized as a natural force. After arguing with his treacherous daughters, King Lear rapidly retreats into a raging storm. With no …show more content…

Claiming that the storm in his mind is greater than the one raging on outside, Lear initially refuses to enter shelter. Kent, however, tries to convince Lear to enter a hovel, “Here is the place, my Lord. Good my Lord, enter; / The tyranny of the open night’s too rough / For nature to endure” (3.4.1-3). Despite the fact that he was banished by the King only a short time ago, the disguised Kent demonstrates much concern for Lear. Instead of tearing the two men apart, the “tyranny” of the stormy night unites the King and Kent, who proceed to work together against Lear’s treacherous daughters and their corrupt allies. Influenced greatly by the violent storm, Lear continues to demonstrate a deepening connection with others, evident through his prayer. Upon sending the Fool into the hovel, the King kneels in prayer for the first time in the

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In addition, the negative connotation of “nothing” repeated several times and the breakdown of the language foreshadows a breakdown of the family. As she reasons about her answer, Cordelia also expresses her compassion towards her father through a hyperbole by stating, “Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth” (Lear 1.1.93-94). Justifying her response, Cordelia expresses that her love towards him cannot be properly expressed as she contrasts how he has “begot [her], fed [her], loved [her]” and in return she “obeyed [him], loved [him], and most honored [him]” to show that she loves her fathers as much as their relationship requires (Lear 1.1.99-101). Though she speaks from her heart, Lear ultimately rejects her argument, recognizing that she is not worthy of his wealth as expressed through his belittling tone. As a result, Lear blesses his kingdom upon his ungrateful, lying daughters who he believes to have loved him the most when in fact, he exiled the only daughter to have truly loved him.

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