King Lear tells of an old, senile ruler who, having given up his title, divides his land between his two villainous daughters, and his third daughter is exiled. Parallel to Learns situation is the sub-plot of Gloucester, whose bastard son betrays him and his legitimate son Edgar. Shakespeare undoubtedly intended for the characters of Gloucester and King Lear to mirror each other, and by comparing them and their outcomes me can see how closely related they truly are. Both King Lear and Gloucester are quick to anger, and thus their favored children are quickly dismissed.
Lear rashly decides to split up his land according to which daughters flatter him most. Cornelia tells her father she loves him according to [her] bond; no more nor less(l. L. 1 92), angering the foolish King, who has her exil
...ed to France.
Gloucester Is also hasty In writing off his son Edgar, from whom Edmund forges a letter stating he wants his father dead so he can have his land. Both characters are quick to anger, and quick to act, later lamenting the decisions they made. Gloucester and Lear both make impetuous decisions regarding their children, being Lind to the treachery of others.
Lear is blind to the malice of Generic and Reagan: They say they love him, merely to get his land. They even lock him out of Gloucester castle during a storm.
Like Lear, Gloucester instantly believes the letter he is shown, being blind to the lies Edmund tells about Edgar. Edmund further manipulates the situation, betraying his father, and consequently Gloucester has his eyes ripped out. When Lear comes upon him, Gloucester being then literall
blind, he astutely observes that a man may see how [the] world goes with no eyes(lb. I.
Al. 146-47).
Luckily for Gloucester, he is recovered by Edgar, who beck[moms] his guides[inning] him from despair, using various disguises. This is echoed by Cornelia, who comes to England with the French army to recover Lear from his mad wanderings in the countryside. Cornelia does save her father, Just as Edgar defends his father from Oswald. Both characters are rescued by their favored children, though later they both die.
It Is clear that many similarities exist between Gloucester and King Lear, not only In hearted, but In their actions and outcomes.
By taking a look at how the two characters are alike In King Lear, we may also further appreciate their differences. Bibliography: King Lear, by William Shakespeare King Lear and Gloucester: Mirror Images ay lifesavers 30th King Lear and Gloucester are quick to anger, and thus their favored children bond; no more nor less(l. I. 1 92), angering the foolish King, who has her exiled to France.
Gloucester is also hasty in writing off his son Edgar, from whom Edmund hey say they love him, merely to get his land.
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