...The story opens in ancient Britain, where the elderly King Lear is deciding to give up his power and divide his realm amongst his three daughters, Cordelia, Regan, and Goneril. The critical essay that was chosen for this comparative essay was King Lear's Folly in this essay they had referenced other pieces by Shakespeare such as Richard iii and Hamlet, as well as other classics Oedipus Rex and The garden of Eden. In the critical essay the author states that lack of insight is the main theme and reason of everyone’s faults, this goes efficiently with this comparative essay because the themes that are stated can be referenced. This relates to the play because comparing the themes with the characters expresses the true intentions of Shakespeare. The themes that appear in both the essay King...
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...Using your critical reading around the plays compare how Shakespeare presents the theme of perception in ‘Othello’ with wider references to ‘King Lear’ ‘Any man situated as Othello was would have been disturbed by Iago’s communication…’ (Kenneth Muir). The play Othello displays various distinguishable characters that appear misguided and possess a great lack of perception. I am going to explore the character Iago, who presents a cunning and devious character and address the distinct comparisons with the character Edmond in King Lear. I will also study the methods he uses in order to successfully manipulate and theoretically blind the other characters from the truth. Iago represents the antagonist of the play as the ensign of Othello. Iago is a character with very unique and perplexing characteristics. His actions depict a presentation of great evil yet his intentions are not completely understood. It is clear from the beginning of the play what the character of Iago was capable of with the inconsistency of his apparent loyalty. We first find him in the company of Roderigo informing the father of Desdemona that she is wedded to Othello. ‘I am one, sir that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.’ It is evident from the beginning of the play that Iago is a devious and scheming character who gains the trust of the other characters in order to manipulate them. Throughout the play it Shakespeare clearly attempts to enforce the amount...
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...the source of mental illness of which Lear is no exception. Lear’s madness starts to be recognized when he and Cordelia are captured together. His madness continues to persist as he envisions a nursery in prison, preferring Cordelia’s existence solely for him. It’s after the death of Cordelia that the fantasy of maternal care ultimately fades away. He is exposed speaking his fears that he is sliding into madness, “O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper; I would not be mad…” (1.5.45-46). Even if it’s very difficult to determine situations where Lear becomes mad, his abnormal behaviors, unreserved exhibition thoughts, and the extreme irritability are just a few factors...
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...noble characters who meet their downfall, the term “tragic heroes” can come to light. Within the play King Lear by Shakespeare, King Lear himself is regarded as the one that fits the description of tragic hero. Likewise, Oedipus, from Oedipus the King written by Sophocles, is another character that can be given the title of tragic hero. Through the naïve nature of King Lear, the arrogance and pride of Oedipus, and the ignorance of both these kings, readers are overwhelmed with pity for these two characters as they descend from greatness. Both King Lear and Oedipus display similar and different characteristics, which evokes feelings of pity in the audience, as well as being regarded as tragic heroes. The naïve nature of King Lear has led to his demise and downfall. Unwanted to govern his land anymore, King Lear decides to retire, split up his kingdom into three pieces and distribute them among his three daughters. His flaw is revealed, when King Lear says “which of you shall we say doth love us most?” This naïve, old man decides that appearance is more important than reality, in which the size of the land he gives is proportional to the amount of flattery the daughter shows him. Despite Cordelia being his favourite daughter, and probably knowing just how much she loves him, he still decides to favour Regan and Goneril’s flattery. Due to this naïve quality, King Lear loses sight of what is important to him, and evokes immense feelings of pity from the readers, as it is...
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...ENG4U1a More Sinned Against Sin is something that everybody does, no matter how hard it is. “King Lear” by William Shakespeare the play shows how the character chooses to sin, and even sin against the ones they mortally should not sin against. King Lear proclaims that he is “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” However it seems that does not only suit him, in the play. Many characters in “King Lear” have out done each other in sinning, because of people deceiving one another causing them to see the truth the result for this only ends in suffering. In relation to blindness, decisions and betrayal the result of being mores sinned against lies in the favour of one character Gloucester and Lear have very similar roles in the play, they reflect each other in many different ways. Mistakes were made by both, one more greatly than the other. Gloucester’s first mistake in the play was his trust in Edmund when he discovered the letter to what seems to be his “evil son” Edgar’s plot against him. .Without any further knowledge in this situation and the letter he right away believes that Edmund is being honest and believes the worst in his son Edgar who is actually legitimate, and this causes him to be sinned against. Lear’s mistake was because if his own pride, which is not the first, time his own flaws has come in the way. Lear is blinded from the truth and because of that he exclaims “Let it be so; thy truth then be thy dower; For by the sacred radiance of the sun....
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...After reading The patient behind the veil: medical culture shock in Saudi Arabia. the article talks about how the health care in Saudi is running, and how its effected by the culture that Saudi Arabia has. It mentions the difficulties doctors faces just to assist the patient. Basically when a patient from Saudi goes to a doctor specially the patient is a female. A number of the family member will go with her, and they wont let the patient to answer the question that he been asked by the doctors, also, how its difficult for the doctor to check up on the patient, because they are fully covered from head to toe. And they are not allowed to take it off or show their face or any part of their body to anyone. each country has its own issue weather its, economic issue, health issue, food issue, and way more. But in the article of patient behind the veil: medical culture shock in Saudi Arabia. It only argues one type of issue. Health issue, In Jordan there are many health issue, but the main health issue that Jordan faces; not enough family doctors, less number of doctors in hospitals. And higher costs. Those issues may affect the number of Jordan’s populations to decrease, since it would lead to higher the number of deaths in the country. Firstly, family doctors are “Unlike other physicians who specialize in treating one particular organ or disease, your family physician is uniquely trained to care for you as a whole person, regardless of your age or sex. In addition to diagnosing...
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...English 3 Group AA Due: 04 October 2013 Monday 09:35 Dr. D. Seddon Early Modern Literature Discuss in detail two different performances of King Lear on stage, film or TV. Your discussion should include an assessment of the relative merits of the directorial decisions as regards characterization, setting, costume, and dialogue. The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an 'objective correlative'; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion; such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked. (Eliot, 1919) William Shakespeare’s King Lear is considered by many to be one of his most powerful pieces. Its universal themes and messages that seep through have inspired many other works and allowed room for several adaptations. In his influential critical essay on Hamlet, T.S. Eliot suggests that one could “examine any of Shakespeare’s more successful tragedies…” and always “… find this exact equivalence” (1919). His term ‘objective correlative’ encompasses the phenomena of emotional reaction being created in the audience by the writer or poet or playwrights combination of images, objects or description which evoke the...
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...William Shakespeare’s King Lear and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex are two classic pieces of literature that are worth studying. This essay will discuss how free will and destiny function in the two plays. First, the plays will be introduced and analyzed separately to provide a basis for contrast and comparison. Once the foundation is established, more advanced ideas will be discussed, such as the concept of evil and literal and figurative sight. Oedipus Rex will be discussed first. The role of destiny is very obvious is this play. The plot is built around destiny; when Oedipus hears that his destiny is to murder his father and marry his mother, he sets out to confirm this prediction and then prevent it. In his attempt to avoid his fate, he unwittingly commits the very acts that were predicted. The actual logistics of the offense are quite impressive. Both Oedipus and his parents work independently of each other to avoid the outcome, and their actions tragically work together to make it possible. The reader is slapped in the face with the core of the theme, which is that the fate of man is inevitable. Since Oedipus was fated to commit these crimes, he cannot do otherwise. The role of fate and free will is much more complex in Shakespeare’s King Lear. A quick perusal of the plot gives a story of good and evil characters exercising their own free wills. King Lear foolishly divides up his kingdom to his two deceitful, older daughters and ignores Cordelia, his honest, dutiful...
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...William Shakespeare’s King Lear and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex are two classic pieces of literature that are worth studying. This essay will discuss how free will and destiny function in the two plays. First, the plays will be introduced and analyzed separately to provide a basis for contrast and comparison. Once the foundation is established, more advanced ideas will be discussed, such as the concept of evil and literal and figurative sight. Oedipus Rex will be discussed first. The role of destiny is very obvious is this play. The plot is built around destiny; when Oedipus hears that his destiny is to murder his father and marry his mother, he sets out to confirm this prediction and then prevent it. In his attempt to avoid his fate, he unwittingly commits the very acts that were predicted. The actual logistics of the offense are quite impressive. Both Oedipus and his parents work independently of each other to avoid the outcome, and their actions tragically work together to make it possible. The reader is slapped in the face with the core of the theme, which is that the fate of man is inevitable. Since Oedipus was fated to commit these crimes, he cannot do otherwise. The role of fate and free will is much more complex in Shakespeare’s King Lear. A quick perusal of the plot gives a story of good and evil characters exercising their own free wills. King Lear foolishly divides up his kingdom to his two deceitful, older daughters and ignores Cordelia, his honest, dutiful...
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...King Lear (Free Essay No Copyright) In King Lear, the unnatural elements seem to always dominate the natural elements throughout the play. There exists a reversal of order in the play where the evil prosper in the downfall of the good, and where man's life is meaningless and arbitrary. King Lear, the tragic hero, dies in the end despite the torment and agony he had to endure to regenerate and repent. But it is the worthless destruction of countless other lives because of Lear's own personal tragedy that supports the view of the brutality and the meaningless of man's life in the play. Life in Lear's universe is brutal, and at times, merciless. All this has been brought about by the reign of evil in the play. The natural order of things has been reversed to such an extent that many of society's cherished values have been neglected and confused. Evil characters such as Edmund is praised by Gloucester for exposing the "treachery" of Edgar, while Edgar is denounced for his "villany". Love, based on selflessness and truth, is weighted in materialistic terms. A man's life, then, can only be considered arbitrary and meaningless in the chaotic universe of King Lear. The character of Lear and Gloucester die in a state of joy, but they nevertheless die in the end resulf. Both had immeasurable sufferings for their follies, and yet both had gained wisdom - patience, insight, love - from their experiences. Both were shown to have the capacity for comparison during their ordeals...
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...KING LEAR Act One The play opens at Lear’s court, where we meet the main characters. The opening scene is in itself shocking, as Lear forces his daughters to declare their love for him. The one who loves him the most will receive the largest part of his kingdom, which he intends to divide between the three. Lear himself wishes to hand over the ruling of the kingdom to his daughters, while retaining the ‘Pre-eminence, and all the large effects / That troop with majesty’ (Scene 1, Lines 131-2). Goneril and Regan acquit themselves well at this love test. Cordelia, however, dismayed by her sisters’ ponderous words, refuses to take part in the ‘contest’ and tells Lear that she loves him as her duty instructs her. When Cordelia refuses to speak again, Lear casts her off without a moment’s hesitation. Ken attempts to argue with the King, accusing him of ‘hideous rashness’ (Scene 1, Line 151). When Kent further warns Lear that his elder daughters are false flatterers, Kent too is banished. Lear invests Albany and Cornwall with power, and, after Burgundy refuses to take Cordelia as his wife, now that she is without dowry, France takes her for her virtues alone. Goneril and Regan complain, in private, about Lear’s harsh judgement and unpredictable behaviour and worry that they too may be treated unfairly. Edmund, Gloucester’s bastard son, soliloquises about his own situation, revealing his devious intentions towards his brother. When his father enters, Edmund’s...
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...KING LEAR KING LEAR William Shakespeare 1606 KING LEAR Dramatis Personae Lear, King of Britain. King of France. Duke of Burgundy. Duke of Cornwall. Duke of Albany. Earl of Kent. Earl of Gloucester. Edgar, son of Gloucester. Edmund, bastard son to Gloucester. Curan, a courtier. Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. Doctor. Lear's Fool. Oswald, steward to Goneril. A Captain under Edmund's command. Gentlemen. A Herald. Servants to Cornwall. Goneril, daughter to Lear. Regan, daughter to Lear. Cordelia, daughter to Lear. Knights attending on Lear, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, Attendants. Scene: - Britain. KING LEAR ACT I. KING LEAR SCENE I. [King Lear's Palace.] Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. [Kent and Glouceste converse. Edmund stands back.] Kent. I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. Glou. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most, for equalities are so weigh'd that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glou. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him that now I am braz'd to't. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glou. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew round-womb'd, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper...
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...1) What is at stake in this decision for Carol and for Davis Press? Why? There is a lot at stake in this decision for Carol and Davis Press. Let’s take a look at what would happen if the book “Meccan Madness” were to be published. Referring to the past and what had happen to Rushdie when his book “The Satanic Verse” was released, it was mayhem. Death threats were issued, Rushdie was wanted dead for several years, and innocent people were killed and much more were injured. If Carol decides to publish Taajwar’s book, there is a possibility history could repeat itself, which includes Davis Press making high profits by selling the book, but also losing millions of dollars that went towards the security of employees. If Carol decided not to publish the book, it is obvious they will lose on the chance of making high profits. However, all the employees will remain safe and not have to fear what will happen to them if “Meccan Madness” is published. 2) Who are the stakeholders here? To whom (or what) does Davis owe her allegiance? The stakeholders in this case are the employees of Davis Press. The employees play a major role in this case because of the amount of work they do for the company. Another stakeholder in this case is the government because in the event problems occur between countries. This sort of situation happen when Rushdie’s book was published where there was issues between Britain and Iran. Carol owes her loyalty to the employees for the amount of...
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...The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare An Electronic Classics Series Publication 2 The Tragedy of King Lear is a publication of The Electronic Classics Series. This Portable Document file is furnished free and without any charge of any kind. Any person using this document file, for any purpose, and in any way does so at his or her own risk. Neither the Pennsylvania State University nor Jim Manis, Editor, nor anyone associated with the Pennsylvania State University assumes any responsibility for the material contained within the document or for the file as an electronic transmission, in any way. The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare, The Electronic Classics Series, Jim Manis, Editor, PSUHazleton, Hazleton, PA 18202 is a Portable Document File produced as part of an ongoing publication project to bring classical works of literature, in English, to free and easy access of those wishing to make use of them. Jim Manis is a faculty member of the English Department of The Pennsylvania State University. This page and any preceding page(s) are restricted by copyright. The text of the following pages are not copyrighted within the United States; however, the fonts used may be. Copyright © 1997 - 2013 The Pennsylvania State University is an equal opportunity University. 3 The Tragedy of KING LEAR by William Shakespeare: His true Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King Lear and his three daughters. With the unfortunate life of Edgar, sonne and heire to...
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...Jasmine Pagan Dr. Amy C. Reeves Survey of World Literature February 7, 2013 Paper #1 I am writing a paper on King Lear, focusing on the main reason for his “fall” in the play. King Lear falls for power, so what is the reason for it? Does Lear end up deserving his fate? Or is he just blind to what is going on around him? Lear was a high respected aging king of British. He had three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Codelia, who he is dividing the kingdom into before he passes. Before he does so, he wanted to put in daughters through a test. He wants to know how much his daughters love him the most and which one would be great to take his place when the time comes. So he asks all his daughters how much they love him. Both Goneril and Regan, (which are his older daughters) lie to him. They tell King Lear that they love him more than anything and that they would be great to take over the kingdom in due time. He waits to hear from his youngest daughter, Cordelia (which is his favorite daughter), she is quiet at first then tells him she loves him like a regular daughter should love her father. “Nothing more; nothing less” she says. At that point King Lear becomes very angry, disappointed and immediately disowns Cordelia at sight because she did not say what Lear expected to hear from her. Deep down, King Lear was crushed and upset. He loved Cordelia very much, that was his favorite daughter out of them all. So when she told him that she loved him regular, at that moment...
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