Catahrsis in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” Essay Sample

been treated unfairly by the world and his father, and strives to attain as much power as possible.

Legitimate Edgar must retain ownership of his land despite their father's preference for the deceitful Edmund. Edgar, who is the true heir of Gloucester, experiences immense pain and anguish as a result of Edmund's evil scheming and their father's inability to see the truth. At the end of the play, although Edmund has died, Edgar continues to survive.

The act of returning his land gives the audience a feeling of catharsis and satisfaction that justice has been served. For some, even the blindness of Gloucester can be seen as a cathartic moment since it takes him a long time to realize that his truest love comes from his own son. Additionally, the deaths of the two wicked sisters Regan and Goneril also evoke a sense of catharsis.

When Lear chose to relinquish his responsibilities and requested that his daughters demonstrate their love for him, two of them deceitfully offered insincere flattery. As a result, his youngest daughter, Cordelia, who gave an honest response, was banished. Once they inherited their father's lands, these two sisters treated him and his followers cruelly, as well as being unfaithful to their husbands by secretly engaging in an affair with Edmund.

The conclusion of King Lear results in a shared demise, evoking a sense of catharsis for the audience who may feel justice has finally prevailed. However, some may argue that the ending lacks catharsis due to the tragic death of Cordelia and other unresolved situations.

In the drama, Cordelia exemplified kindness and fairness. She never caused harm to anyone, even after being expelled from

her father's territory. In contrast to other characters who spoke harshly, Cordelia communicated with gentleness. Additionally, her passing was a notable occurrence in the story.

There is much debate and unease surrounding the demise of King Lear, which leaves many viewers conflicted after initially being pleased with his character. Some believe that his death was deserved, while others view it as unfair. Defenders of Lear's death argue that it provides catharsis, while opponents are left with a sense of anxiety upon leaving the performance.

While some critics argue that King Lear's ending provides catharsis through the joyful portrayal of Lear's death, others believe that there is no catharsis to be found as Lear dies in a state of madness and folly. The deaths of Cordelia and Lear are so distressing for some audience members that they cannot feel anything but sorrow, leading to a lack of catharsis. Throughout the play, there are situations where catharsis can be observed, but ultimately it depends on how each audience member approaches and interprets these events. Last modified at 8:24 on April 07.

Overall, King Lear is a drama that includes elements of catharsis. It is the exceptional tragedy of this play, along with the presence and absence of catharsis, that makes it an outstanding and entertaining work.