Motifs in Shakespeares King Lear :: King Lear essays

Motifs in King Lear Shakespeare uses many motifs to expand on the themes of the story. His most- utilizemotif revolves around filial responsibility. Each of the two plots containscharacters who betray their mothers. Goneril and Regan pet their father,King Lear, and then betray him. The drastic change that occurred in theirattidtude towards their father is clearly evident through Gonerils speechbefore Sir, I heat you more than words can wield the matter Dearer than eye-sight,space, and liberty beyond what can be valued, rich or rare No less(prenominal) than life,with grace, health, beauty, honour As much as child eer reveld, or fatherfound A love that makes breath poor, and speech ineffective Beyond all manner of somuch I love you.              (Act I, Sc i, Ln 57-63) and after she had beenallotted one half of the kingdom Tis his avouch blame hath put himself fromrest, And must needs taste his folly.     &n bsp               (Act II, Sc ii, Ln289-290) They some(prenominal) were interested only in getting Lears land, and used any messagenecessary to get it. Edmund, in the other plot of the play, deceives his fatherin order to gain his favor. Edmund, the Earl of Gloucesters bastard son, tellshis father that Edgar, Gloucesters legitimate son, is plotting to ruinGloucester. This causes the Earl to submit Edgar and give his title and land toEdmund. The ironic misuse of power used by the Earl of Gloucester shows up in twain plots.Gloucester punishes Edgar and later finds that Edmund was the one winningadvantage of him. Similarly, Regan and Goneril gain Lears favor, while Cordeliais left dowerless and banished from the kingdom. In the end, though, Cordeliasaves Lear from the betrayal of Goneril and Regan. Shakespeare develops these study motifs with supporting motifs. He describes howrevenge can affect families and crea te problems for the characters. He also usesthe senility associated with old age to justify the irrational actions of bothGloucester and Lear. Gloucester, deceived by Edmund, becomes paranoid of Edgar.Lear is portrayed as senile form the antecedent when he splits his kingdombetween his daughters. He becomes so engrossed by Gonerils and Regans flatterythat when Cordelia refused to cater to his wishes, he banishes her in a fit ofrage.  victimisation the various motifs, Shakespeare makes many thematic statements aboutfilial responsibility. Without scrutiny, many children give become overtaken bygreed and attempt to get their parents wealth by any means. Some children willremain good at heart, only if it is difficult to predict which children will honortheir parents.