king lear
Attempting to further his glory, King Lear actually destroys his reputation and authority and, upon realizing he has brought this devastation upon himself, inflicts punishment upon himself. However, the tragedy is truly established when the audience finds a reflection of themselves in King Lear and, despite the tragic downfall, Lear finds a victory in his defeat when he comes into a purer understanding of the world and his true self. Lear endures an extended storm that forces him to redefine himself as a man. Although the storm eventually calms and order is restored to his kingdom, Lear does not see a future, for his selfish actions destroy the one truth he knew – Cordelia. As Lear takes responsibility for his egocentric actions, he comes to a sense of anagnorisis that allows Lear to better understand the definition of “king” and, although it leads to his tragic death, there is a sense of victory in his knowledge gained, making Lear a model for the tragic hero. Although King Lear had more faith in his daughters when he gave them the crown, he comes to know he is at fault for his downfall because he thought, as king, that he was morally above all citizens. King Lear strives to create the best possible situation for himself in which he is still considered king, but his daughters manage the kingdom. Telling his daughters that flattery will earn them a portion of his kingdom, Lear also tells Cordelia that “Nothing will come of nothing” (I, i, 92) when Cordelia gives him a realistic answer, one he does not want to hear. Lear falls for Goneril and Regan’s insincerity more than Cordelia’s sincerity. Upon having his authority undermined, Lear calls into question his own arrogance while standing in the storm. Lear cries: “O, I have ta’en/ Too little care of this! Taken physic pomp,/ Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel…” (III, iv, 32-34). Although this is only the beginning of Lear’s self-reflection and recognition, he starts to realize the hardship and