Discuss how Shakespeare illustrates the character of Lear changing during the play.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Discuss how Shakespeare illustrates the character of Lear changing during the play.

In the play, Shakespeare develops the character of Lear from a King oblivious to the feelings and intentions of others, into a loving father, who cares deeply for his daughter.

The play is a tragedy. The dictionary offers 'play in which the hero is destroyed by a personal failing in adverse circumstances' as a definition. King Lear certainly fits the bill, although it could be argued that he is not altogether a hero at the start.

Act 1 Scene 1

King Lear decides to divide his kingdom up between his daughters. But why is he doing this? He wishes to give up his responsibilities but retain the power associated with Kingship. This on its own is very self-centric behaviour, wanting power but the burden of leadership.

"To shake all cares and business from our age,

Conferring them on younger strengths while we

Unburdened crawl toward death"

The way Lear is deciding how much land to give his daughters is to judge how much they love him, irrespective of how well they could rule. This shows a disregard for the people