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William Shakespeare's King Lear is a tragic play that shows the consequences of one mans decisions. The story line surrounds the main character, Lear, as he makes decisions that disrupt order in his Kingdom. When Lear surrenders all of his power and land to his daughters as a reward for their demonstration of love towards him, the breakdown in order is evident. When order is disrupted in King Lear, the chaotic events that Lear endures eventually develop the plot and lead to his demise.
At the start of the play, Lear decides to divide his Kingdom into three when he says, Give me the map there. Know that we have divided/In three our Kingdom, and tis our fast intent/To shake all cares and business from our age, (I, i, 38 - 41). Politically dividing a Kingdom has many disadvantages. A Kingdom divided means there will be more than one ruler and a difference of opinion will occur, therefore creating disorder. There will always be disagreements that may end in haste, therefore creating unneeded tension between the rulers.
Although Lear may feel he had a good reason to divide his land, there is no rational reason for his action. He only divided his land so he could be showered with loving words from his daughters. Lears desire to fuel his ego by abdicating his throne and using his property as a reward eventually causes him to lose everything, including his power, estate, money, family, friends, and mental state. Dividing the Kingdom is not the only indication that order is disrupted. The separation of Lears family also provides evidence that disorder is inevitable.
The banishment of Cordelia and Kent is a harsh act carried out by Lear while blinded by anger. By banishing the only daughter who truly loves him, and a loyal servant who refuses to stand around and do nothing while Lear makes a tragic mistake, Lear surrounds himself with people who only loved him for his money and power. Again, Lears desire to fuel his ego is the cause of the separation of his family. When Cordelia refuses to speak lovingly, Unhappy that I am. I cannot heave/My heart into my mouth. (I, i, 100 - 101), Lear becomes angered and banishes her. As an act of loyalty, Kent stands up for Cordelia and questions Lears decision, because he feels that Lear is making a mistake.
For that reason, Lear also banishes Kent and consequently, the people who truly love him are expunged from his life, leaving him vulnerable to Goneril and Regan. As the play proceeds, Regan and Goneril rise in status in the Kingdom, while Lears presence and authority as King becomes insignificant. Traditionally, the oldest person in the family is in control; therefore, this is an indication that order is disrupted. Only when the King dies, do his children take over his reign. Lears insignificance is portrayed in a conversation with Goneril's servant, Oswald. Lear: Who am I, sir?
Oswald: My ladys father. Lear: My ladys father! My lords knave!' (I, iv, 78 - 80) Lear is greatly insulted by the comment suggesting Goneril has a higher rank than he, as he is the King of England, not just his daughters father. Lears insignificance is a result of his own actions. When he banished Cordelia and Kent, he allowed himself to be vulnerable to Goneril and Regan's conspiracy. Predicting that their father would likely pose a threat to them, Goneril and Regan plotted against their father so he would become helpless like an adolescent.
Lears flaw to believe every word his daughters speak is a contribution to his downfall. As order is important to a Kingdom, so is the ability to maintain that order. In Shakespeare's King Lear, order is disrupted as a result of Lears decision to divide the Kingdom, banish his daughter and loyal servant, and his daughters rise to the top. All these factors contribute to a developing plot and the disruption of order as Lear acts on foolish mistakes.
Throughout the tragedy, Lear struggles through hardships to try to reestablish order in the great Kingdom he once ruled.
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Research essay sample on Shakespeare King Lear Goneril And Regan
