From great writers such as Sophocles, Homer, Dante, and many more. It can be said that great stories already exist and that all modern writers can do is to rewrite these stories by changing the setting. As the motivations, fears, strengths and emotions that human beings face does not changed. William Shakespeare’s King Lear is a tale about a King who was too old to handle his kingdom’ affairs and yet too foolish to give up his power and divide his lands between two of his three daughters; Goneril and Regan.
The relevance of King Lear in today’ society is the effective use of storytelling in a way that the audience can relate to. The play’s development of the inhumane event begs the question as to whether there is the possibility of justice in the world. With the natural order that Lear represents beginning to dissipate, chaos engulfs the kingdom. It also suggests that blindness is both a physical impairment a well as a mental flaw that becomes the direct reason behind the downfall of an individual. Shakespeare’ use of subplots that mirror the universal themes of justice, order and chaos and sight vs insight appeals to modern audiences as the concept of human nature does not change.
The concept of justice as a theme is one that can be paralleled in our society today. There is a great deal of prominence casted on the question as to whether there is a possibility of justice in the world that would demand every crime committed must have an equally appropriate punishment. In some cases, why are some crimes and their punishments in equilibrium, whereas other punishments by far outweigh their crimes. An example of this can be seen when Lear is perceived as “… a man/ more sinn’d against than sinning” (III.ii.59-60). The treatment that Lear receives his daughters and former subjects urges readers to question the absence of justice in the world. Not only does Lear endure severe punishments while he is alive. He may not believe that he deserves his punishments, but his death being his final punishment forces him to better himself and restore the natural order in Britain.
127 our experts are availableright now
Due to recent events in society, the topic of police abusing their power as law enforcers has come to the attention of the public. Citizens worry enough about protecting themselves against criminals, but it can be validated that such looks of suspicion should be cast on those whose job are to protect and serve their citizens. Recently, Jeff Burlew of the USA Today identified a 26-year-old Jackson County deputy for planting “… street drugs such a meth on unsuspecting motorists before hauling them off to jail” (Burlew, par.1). The pain and false accountability of a crime that the victims of this crime endured is truly unimaginable. Although justice is being served in this case, it does not restore balance in society as this is social crime that deems to happen every day.
Man’s falls from grace and favor from the gods is evident when Gloucester is punished for favoring his legitimate son, Edgar. His punishment for this crime is the gouging out of his eyes. Gloucester’s punishment is far from being equal and appropriate for his crime. He expresses this injustice by blaming the gods, “As flies to wanton boys, are we to th’ gods/ They kill us for their sport” (IV.i.36-37). For Gloucester, he believes that the gods play an arbitrary part in deciding one’ fate. Realizing that such a thought is foolish, he knows now that the world I truly unfair and cruel- human are killed for fun. This connection between justice and contemporary society suggests that although some may endure more severe punishments than others, justice is ultimately served.
Blindness is normally defined a the “state or condition of being unable to see because of injury, disease, or a congenital condition” (“Blindness: Definition of Blindness in English by Lexico Dictionaries”). But according to Shakespeare, blindness is not just a physical impairment but a mental flaw that some people possess. There are two different types of blindness showcased in King Lear; literal and figurative blindness. Both forms of blindness are parallel to one another in developing the plot of the play. Figurative and literal blindness in this text amplify problems that modern audience are still subjected to face and it illustrates the destructive nature caused by lust, love, wrath, pride, greed and envy.
We see that Gloucester’s blindness is quite literal as his eye are gouged out by Cornwall. His blindness denied him to see the true nature of either one of his sons. People are often blinded by their emotions to the point where they fail to even make the attempt to see more than just smoke and mirrors. Gloucester having been transformed in this “eyeless” man is being led by an old man to Dover when he acclaims that “… no way, and there want no eyes;/ I stumbled when I saw./ Full oft’ tis seen,/ Our mean secure us, and our mere defects/ Prove our commodities. Oh! Dear son Edgar,/ The food of thy abused father’s wrath!/ Might I but live to see thee in my touch,/ I’d say I had eyes again” (IV.i.18-24). When Gloucester loss his ability to see, literally he gains moral insight. This insight was an eyeopener to him, as before he became blind, he failed to see both sides of the story from his sons and only through being physical blindness, was he able to blind see. This punishment that Gloucester endures as a result of his impulsiveness and irrationality, is justified as it enabled him to gain insight on the natures of the people around him.
When people do not take the seriousness of the warnings issued to them by others, they will wind up suffering emotionally. Through King Lear’s test to see the quantitative amount of love his daughters have for him. He plans on banishing hi daughter, Cordelia when she refuses to take part in the test to which his right hand man, Kent issues a warning that he needs to “See better, Lear; and let me still remain/ The true blank of thine eye” (I.ii.160-161). Lear ignores his warning continues to divide his lands and power as King based on this superficial love that he wants to receive from his daughters. Kent’s warning can essentially be seen as a foreshadowing, he urges Lear to “see better” this clearly issues that Lear is easily deceived and manipulated. This quote signifies how ignorant Lear was to the fact Goneril and Regan deceived him. His emotions got the best of him when he inaccurately believed his daughters loved him by their meaningless and distasteful expression of love.
The drive and adrenaline to gain authority and to manipulate other to fulfill this desire is a dangerous trait for one to have. In King Lear the abuse of power plays an important role throughout the characters’ lives. Using authority to dismiss anyone with no valid reason, using power to torment people, taking advantage of someone with the hopes of achieving one’ goals and misusing trust are all examples of misusing power. Dictators and their rise to power are ideal examples of power abuse in society today.
“Idi Amin, whose eight-year reign of terror in Uganda encompassed widespread killing, torture and dispossession of multitudes and left the country pauperized…” (Kaufman par.1). A dictator, as Idi Amin himself misused his power as President of Uganda to the point where the country is still left in shambles after his reign of tyranny. And yet he is not held accountable for his actions. He used his power for his own selfish and personal gain in order to prevent scrutiny of his own political and personal dealings and behavior.
In the earliest stages of the play, abuse of power is clear. King Lear is still King he is still treated with respect and honor, it is obvious that he ha acquired enough authority to be respected, but he misuses this power. He is caught up in his own mental havoc, that he believes that he should not be questioned or criticized for dividing up his lands and power based on a love test. He defends his beliefs by stating that as King his rights are above those lesser than him. After Kent issued him a warning on what is to come when he causes a stop in the natural order of succession. Lear abuses his title as King when he responded vaguely “Kent, on thy life, no more” (I.i.157). Lear is willing to execute his subject to generalize his title as King to make an example out of Kent and cast a sense of fear on his subjects.
Another example of abuse of power is depicted , when Edmund’s destructive nature takes it’s full course. He gains power and trust from Gloucester as a result of manipulating him. Edmund’s intent to acquire power and the measures that he takes to receive such power is utterly destructive. His greed to have more is what motivates him to effectively manipulate his “puppets”.
After acquiring the title as the Earl of Gloucester, he is eyeing the title as King of Britain when manipulating the daughters of Lear. There is no sense of purpose of Edmund, until he suddenly realizes that in the debacle against his brother he isn’t going to win. He has a change of heart and states “This speech of yours hath moved me/ And shall perchance do good” (V.iii.236-237). He tries save Lear and Cordelia but it’s too late. By abusing his power he regrets not saving Lear and Cordelia on time, and this regret brought upon his death.
King Lear, a tale by William Shakespeare about a King who was too old and foolish as a leader that he decided divide his kingdom’ affairs between his two of his three daughters; Goneril and Regan. King Lear is relevant today as it is a great story that audiences can relate to. Inhumane events unleash in this text and it begs the question as to whether there is a possibility of justice in the world. Abuse of power brings instant surge of regret that furthers leads to one’s downfall (death) in the end. An individual’s downfall is the result being both physically and mentally blind. The use of universal themes such as justice, abuse of power and sight vs insight appeal to modern audiences because these themes are easily incorporated in their everyday lives.
