Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student. The model of France's behavior recalls how Lear must have behaved before his decision to divide his land. This is why, despite Portia having spoke thus much, all her words seem to fall on deaf ears. In King Lear, the King of France stands as a successful model of how a good and proper king should behave. A successful king works in concert with nature, as Lear does until the moment he disinherits his youngest daughter. As the story unfolds, we see justice being both upheld and denied, with devastating consequences for everyone involved. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. As he cries , Ill have my bond; speak not against my bond:I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.Thou calldst me dog before thou hadst a cause;But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:The duke shall grant me justice. As the tale unfolds, the actions that are portrayed against Shakespeare's . Therefore, Jew,Though justice be thy plea, consider this,That, in the course of justice, none of usShould see salvation: we do pray for mercy;And that same prayer doth teach us all to renderThe deeds of mercy. This can also be perceived as blindness, which foreshadows his situation later in the play when he is brutally blinded. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Parent-Child Relationships: The Neglect of Natural Law. Moreover, his personal decline parallels a farther-reaching dissolution of order and justice in the British state. Why does the Fool disappear? PLEASE HELP ME TO REACH 1000 SUBSCRIBER ON MY COOKING YT CHANNEL (CLICK HERE). Edmund dies exactly how many feel he should; he inflicted pain on others and his death can be seen as an appropriate punishment. Students who find writing to be a difficult task. In winning their duel, Edgar's defeat of Edmund signals the triumph of righteousness over corruption and provides an assurance of God's blessing on Edgar. Lears punishment is very severe in comparison to other characters such as Regan and Goneril who commit worse crimes and then die without actually having to acknowledge their actions. 1619 Words. What does the Fool's prophecy mean? Given the inherent bias that Venetian Christians hold against Jews, then, one would imagine that most Jews at the time would be savvy enough not to rely on Christian justices (and they would most certainly have been Christians) for a truly fair sentence, even though fairness is strictly speaking, the spirit of the law. So the only justice that remains at the end of the play rests solely with the Christians, as the way it should be in a cultural cosmos where Jews and aliens are viewed not as individuals with rights, but simply agents that exist and are barely tolerated in society, let alone protected by law. In spite of the recent events, Albany thinks that Kent and Edgar can rule jointly, but Kent is correct in choosing another future for himself. Having only recently achieved stability in their country, Shakespeare's Elizabethan audience would have been horrified at Lear's choice to divide his kingdom, and so, create disunity. The king is God's representative on earth, and as such, serves as a model of behavior for all his subjects, who look to their king for guidance, strength, and hope. But how then does the audience account for the punishment and, finally, the death of the good characters in King Lear? This decision is an attempt to be just, but it ultimately leads to chaos and tragedy. Jews) would be doubly adamant in their efforts to pursue their own course of justice, or be doubly vehement that their wishes be granted when the opportunity arises. The fact that Shylock would expect Christian justice for a dog Jew is maybe a bit too nave, and indeed, foreboding of the lack of justice (or at least vindication) that Shylock will be met later at court in Act 4 Scene 1. But Lear is doing more than creating political and social chaos; he is also giving his daughters complete responsibility for his happiness, and he will blame them later when he is not happy. Ironically, the penalty here, while ostensibly referring to Antonios pound of flesh, has become Shylocks penalty at the hands of the Venetian state for threatening the life of a Christian as an alien. The theme of justice is explored through the complex character of King Lear, using various literary and dramatic techniques. Edmunds selfish and destructive actions tear his family apart and result in the innocent murder of Cordelia. Cornwall, who was the husband of Regan, is not a fundamental character however through his actions such as the gouging out of Gloucesters eyes; he had a major impact on the play. Why do Goneril and Regan betray King Lear? The play's series of terrible events raises an obvious question - is there any possibility of justice in the . Ultimately, all of these characters receive a punishment that is in line with their crime but they do not learn anything from their mistakes and therefore are unable to become better people. Parent-Child Relationships: The Neglect of Natural Law. Lear does not feel he deserves his punishments and therefore says, I am a man/ More sinned against than sinning (III.ii.58-59). As a result of his actions, Lear is severely punished by being banished from his home, experiencing madness, and losing everyone that he loves. Gloucesters careless nature causes Edmund to develop into the plays main antagonist, and ultimately being the cause of many deaths. The audience's abject fear that a foreign king might weaken England (and a Catholic monarch made it worse) would have made Lear's actions seem even more irresponsible. Joseph (Biblecia.com). Critical Essays Removing #book# From the initial division of the kingdom to the final tragic events, we see how justice is both upheld and denied, and how it ultimately shapes the fates of Lear, his daughters, and the other players in this Shakespearean masterpiece. Lear is a foolish, gullible king who has many tragic flaws including moral blindness, vanity and greed. She argues that merciful, not punitive, justice, is an attribute to God himself, but Portias God isnt Shylocks God, who is the wrathful Yahweh of Abraham, Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, not the forgiving God of Jesus Christ. Thru their lies and irresponsibility stripping Shylock not only of his wealth but his daughter and thus his culture, since Judaism being passed on thru the female. She is punished for being honest about her lack of love for her father, which seems unjust. Portia is speaking to a Jew in Christian terms, which exposes a fundamental mismatch between the two parties. Some argue that the final scenes, in which Lear and Cordelia die, suggest that justice is ultimately impossible to achieve in a world that is full of corruption and deceit. Science, English, History, Civics, Art, Business, Law, Geography, all free! And when a society operates only by the law of the majority identity or belief (i.e. Even though many of the characters in Shakespeares tragedy are horrible people who deserve their punishments, there are also characters such as Lear and Gloucester who did not deserve the extent of their punishments. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. The salvation that Portia speaks of is alien to Shylock, because Judaic soteriology points to true salvation as the vindication of the Jewish people. Cordelia loses when she refuses to play the game, but Lear also loses when he "retires" and abdicates his kingly role. In the end, no easy answer surfaces to the question of divine justice, except that perhaps man must live as if divine justice exists, even if it's only a product of rich and wishful imaginations. Significantly, Shakespeare suits the action to the word by making a number of scenes either suggest or employ the trial pattern. The English understood that a strong country needed an effective leader to protect it from civil war and potential foreign invasion. Conveying Lear in this state later in the play allows Shakespeare to deliver a sense of justice to his character, who was an arrogant and ignorant King who had minimal regard for others. This essay has been submitted by a student. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. In addition, the audience hears that Kent will soon die, and the Fool has earlier disappeared, presumably to die. Mortally wounded, he sees that both Goneril and Regan have died for him, and whispers, Yet Edmund was beloved. This aside and use of emotive language allows Shakespeare to show the humane and compassionate side of Edmund, further emphasising that he was a victim of his fathers wrongdoings and his path of self-driven justice was a result of this. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# []. The constant tension between Blanche [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. A prominent example of this can be seen in Act 1 Scene 1 where Cordelia informs Lear that she has nothing to say regarding her love for him. When Shylock cries my deeds upon my head! Antonios sacrifice, then, is for an economic imperative, and as such, of a secular, not Christian, nature. Shakespeares representation of the antagonist is the pinnacle of creating a villain that the audience can loathe and sympathise with simultaneously. Your eye shall not pity. When we think about Shakespearean tragedy, the plays we usually have in mind are Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus.That core list of nine can be expanded to twelve, however, if we include the history plays Richard III and Richard II, both of which were also billed as tragedies in Shakespeare's day, and . The quality of mercy is not strained,It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath: it is twice blest;It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomesThe throned monarch better than his crown;His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,The attribute to awe and majesty,Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;But mercy is above this sceptred sway;It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,It is an attribute to God himself;And earthly power doth then show likest GodsWhen mercy seasons justice. Overall, the critical reception of King Lears treatment of justice highlights the plays enduring relevance and complexity, and its ability to provoke deep and thoughtful discussions about the nature of justice. In his gorgeous speech of V.iii.8-26, Lear displays a newfound, optimistic view of his future with Cordelia moments before Edmund orders her [], Power is the underlying current that runs through both Websters The Duchess of Malfi, a 17th century revenge tragedy, and Williams A Streetcar Named Desire, a 20th Century modern domestic tragedy. The fifth age is that of "the justice . These three characters did not learn anything from their mistakes because their punishment was death. Summary. it easy to miss tensions inherent in differing ideas of old age. There is a prominent emphasis on the question of whether there is moral righteousness in the world which would demand that every crime committed must have an equally appropriate punishment. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions Cordelias character development shows how justice can be a force for good, even if it comes at a personal cost. Some of the major themes in King Lear have been discussed below. Goneril and Regan can be as absolute in their decisions as Lear chooses to be; their behavior echoes his. The word 'justice' refers to the idea that we are fair and reasonable in our dealings with others. We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Previous According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the noun justice comes in several meanings, including: Theres something paradoxical about the definitions here. Finally, we come to what is probably one of the two most famous speeches in Merchant (the other being Shylocks Hath not a Jew eyes monologue): Portias eloquent appeal on the quality of mercy. In the play King Lear, William Shakespeare portrays numerous themes to the audience and reader, but one of the most prevalent would be the theme of divine justice. Considering the laws intimidating, and at times, intervening, presence in Renaissance theatre (and in Shakespeares professional career), it wouldnt seem unlikely for the Bard to make a subtle dig at the legal institutions of his time. For characters such as Edmund, Cornwall, Regan and Goneril it can be accepted that justice has been served because their punishments completely coincide with their crime. Critical Essays She is completely good and pure. Great to hear, and thanks for reading Joseph! Given the flimsiness of the evidence involved in Lopezs case, whether the law was right or just seemed irrelevant to the Jews sentencing, and its possible that Lopez was given such a gruesome sentence largely because he was Jewish, and as such, assumed to be evil. Goneril and Regan soon unite against a common foe their own father; but it is reasonable to assume that Goneril and Regan, having disposed of Cordelia, would have next turned their troops and anger against one another. In spite of the seemingly senseless death of this young woman, Shakespeare never intended for his audience to escape the painful questions that Cordelia's death creates. Shakespeares Twelfth Night: Theme of Love, Of Mice and Men: Crooks Character Analysis, A Dolls House: Torvald Helmer Character Analysis, Oliver Twist: Characters, Setting, Style, Audience and Diction, Themes in John Drydens All for Love (play), Antigone: Sibling Rivalry, Gender Inequality and Democracy. He believes that justice is something that can be taken, rather than something that is bestowed upon him. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. But the evidence of his greatness is seen in Kent's devotion, in the love of his Fool, and in Cordelia's love, which is sustained, in spite of Lear's rejection. While it must be caveated that these are reported words provided by an anti-Semitic Christian (and as such, the veracity of which is doubtful), its worth noting that Shylock apparently equates justice with the law, just as he equates my daughter with my ducats. For starters, despite its designation as a comedy, theres actually not much about the play that inspires the sort of belly-up laughter we get from Falstaff in the Henry plays, or the chuckles we grant Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream. The duke cannot deny the course of law:For the commodity that strangers haveWith us in Venice, if it be denied,Will much impeach the justice of his state;Since that the trade and profit of the cityConsisteth of all nations. The Shylock at this point cuts a very different figure from his earlier self. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/a-theme-of-justice-in-king-lear-by-william-shakespeare/. Not content with simply pandering to the crowds, however, Shakespeare draws our attention to the unequal justice that undergirds the system of law in a heavily biased society, which only ever leaves the marginalised others with a thin veil of protection. The play contains many references to God and the idea that justice is ultimately in the hands of a higher power. Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare creates an uncertain and cruel perspective of justice, with the blinding of Gloucester being a highly divisive plot point in the play, forcing the reader to question whether justice truly exists in the Shakespearean world. In this post, I outline 3 key ideas of justice as presented in Merchant, which Ill analyse in relation to relevant moments from the play: One of the most curious things about the play is Shylocks unwavering faith in the law. She is contrasted throughout the play with Goneril and Regan, who are neither honest nor loving, and who manipulate their father for their own ends. Is justice something that is ultimately in the hands of a higher power, or is it something that humans can control and manipulate? Good Essays. The personal drama of King Lear revolves around the destruction of family relationships. (which are all Enlightenment ideas that didnt gain popular currency until the 17th century). Throughout the play, we see how those in power are able to manipulate and pervert justice for their own gain. However, achieving justice is not a simple task. Of course, the evil characters are also dead, but their punishment is to be expected according to the laws of divine justice. Theme is a pervasive idea presented in a literary piece. Their spiteful ways begin when they lie about their love for their father so that they will inherit more land but when Lear needs them most they banish him from their home. As a humanist playwright whose sensitivities would have been sharply attuned to the problems and limitations of the law, Shakespeare probably had his own suspicions as he set to work on another production for the Globe stage, the result of which was The Merchant of Venice, written between 1596 1599 but first performed in 1605. Similarly, the blinding of Gloucester is seen as a form of divine justice, as he believes that he is receiving punishment for his own sins. William Shakespeare Home Literature Notes King Lear Kingship and Lear Critical Essays Kingship and Lear Integrity, compassion, and justice are important facets of an effective king. Overall, King Lear reminds us that justice is a fundamental concept that must be upheld and respected, even in the face of great challenges and obstacles. In Act 1 Scene 1, he jokes about Edmunds legitimacy, stating, Though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Gloucesters ignorance is highlighted in this conversation as he is ridiculing his illegitimate son with the knowledge that he is listening. What is Cordelia's response to King Lear's love test? Venetian Christians), its perhaps little wonder that those who are persecuted (i.e. and any corresponding bookmarks? It presents the dilemma of human relations and exposes the dark sides of human nature, such as infidelity and ungratefulness. Am tickled though with Portia being so completely manipulative and a perfect liar to the court and her new husband the ring trick. But instead of seeing this kind father and patriarchal authority, the audience witnesses an absolute ruler, one who refuses questioning, or even the wisdom of his lords. 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