Compare and Contrast Lear and Morrie Essay Example

is of the opinion that it is better to die than to live a life devoid of love.

Although Morrie grew up without much love in his life, it was for this reason why he emphasized the importance of love and family. Conversely, King Lear believed that family only exists to serve his needs. Quoted from King Lear "Tell me, my daughters, Since now we will divest us both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state Which of you shall we say doth love us most That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge? "(I I 47-53). This quote exemplifies King Lear's conviction of family. He pitted his daughters against each other for his personal benefit.

His love was also conditional, even though Cordelia was his known favorite amongst his daughters, he warned her "How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes. " (I I 94-95). This quote reinforces the fact that he believed that love in a family is unilateral, that is, he should only receive love but never give any. Contrarily, Morrie's love for his family was unconditional and a two-way street. However, Lear realized the true value of unconditional love when Cordelia returned despite after disowning and cursing her, but it was too late.

While Morrie learned the value of love through the lack of it earlier in his life, King Lear would learn it through the death of his beloved daughter. Both would cherish family and life even more after coming to terms with death, and realize the ills of their respective societies. Both Lear and Morrie also once had different perspectives

on life and society. King Lear accepted the hierarchy of his society, of course, since he was the pinnacle of the "great chain of being". Quoted from King Lear "All I ask is that you provide me with a hundred knights for my own entourage. I'll keep only the title of king... (I I 136-138).

This quote exemplifies King Lear's view of society and that he comes before society, depriving 100 knights from society for his own personal benefit. Morrie, on the other hand, was disgusted by his society and how materialistic it was. Quoted from Tuesdays with Morrie "Do you know how they brainwash people? They repeat something over and over again. And that's what we do in this country. Owning things is good. More money is good. More property is good. More commercialism is good... We repeat it-and have it repeated to us-over and over until nobody bother to even think other wise" (Albom 124).

This quote demonstrates Morrie's disgust with society and how it constantly promotes materialism rather than important things such as love, which evidenced by this quote "You know how I always interpreted that? These people were so hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes" (Albom 125). The relevance of this quote is that Morrie believes that people are materialistic due to a lack of love in their lives. Similarly, King Lear also realizes the ills of his society during his hardships. Quoted from Lear "Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand. Why dost thou lash that whore?

Strip thine own back. Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. (IV

vi 152-157). This quote really exemplifies both his disgust of the social customs of his time and how it favors the rich but frowns on the poor. Lear also regrets not being a just king and mistreating the poor as a result of being too materialistic. He laments "Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you From seasons such as these?

Oh, I have ta'en Too little care of this! " (III iv 30-34). Although Morrie was aware of the problems of his society and always spoke out against them, King Lear was only able to come to this conclusion and acquire this wisdom through difficult tribulations. However, it was through seeing their inevitable death on the horizon which raised their awareness of the problems that are rampant in their respective societies. Morrie and Lear had contrasting views of death as well before their acquisition of wisdom.

Initially, Lear believed he would die as a king and even in his old age when dividing his kingdom between his daughters, he believed death was distance as evidenced from the text "All I ask is that you provide me with a hundred knights for my own entourage. I'll keep only the title of king... (I i 136-138). Lear did not believe in preparing for death or saying goodbye to his loved ones, as he still wanted to live like a king even after dividing his kingdom and wealth. Conversely, Morrie believed that death should be accepted and even an ideal way to live.

Quoted from Morrie "Oh yes, you

strip away all that stuff and you focus on the essentials. When you realize you are going to die, you see everything much differently... Learn how to die, and you learn how to live" (Albom 83). This quote exemplifies that Morrie believed if more people lived as if they were going to die at any moment, then the world would be a much more positive place. Morrie was also optimistic and grateful for his disease and how long he had to say his farewells to his loved ones, quoted from the text "It's horrible to watch my body wilt away to nothing. But it's also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye. (Albom 57). On the other hand, King Lear was coming to terms with his own mortality.

When Gloucestor asked to kiss his hand, he responded "Let me wipe it first, it smells of mortality. " (IV vi 125-126). This quote really illustrates Lear's newfound humbleness and acceptance of death. Morrie and Lear both achieved wisdom and enlightenment by coming to terms with their deaths, something both people and society can learn from to improve their lives. King Lear and Morrie Schwartz are very much alike, despite being completely different people before their acquisition of wisdom.

They both were able to attain nlightenment and contentment through difficult hardships and aware of the problems that are in their society. They have come to learn that if more people were aware of death and lived everyday as if they were to die, they would live more fulfilling and satisfying lives. Through their acquisition of wisdom, they have realized the importance of family and love,

except they only differ in respect where King Lear is filled with regret while Morrie gains an even higher appreciation for it. Death is a fact of life that we must accept and embrace. People should not live life until they can see their death on the horizon.