Essay on The Redemption of King Lear -- King Lear essays

The Redemption of King Lear?        Shakespeares play, King Lear is quite renowned and the folly of the antiquated King is a great example of how not to handle family relationships. The question has been proposed  if King Lear is save when reunited with Cordelia. King Lear does achieve a kind of redemption when he is reunited with Cordelia in Acts IV and V of the tragedy.  What kind of redemption he achieves is open to interpretation.  In order to understand the Kings  redemption, it must be determined what the King is redeemed from.  Once this sin is  established, an analysis can be made as to when the King is redeemed, and how.             I propose that King Lears folly, for which he is later redeemed occurs in Act I scene 1. As an opening scene should, this scene sets up all the characters of the play.  In this scene, Lear intends to divide his kingdom among his misss based on their laudation in professing their love for him.  This superficial nature is a flaw in the Kings character.  King Lears oldest two daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter the King to his liking, easily deceiving him.  Cordelia, the young daughter prefers to Love, and be silent.(892).  The King is enraged at Cordelias silence, even though in truth she loves the king more than her sisters.  King Lear disowns Cordelia                           Let it be so Thy truth, because be thy dower         &... ...sp             And ask of thee forgiveness.  So well live,                         And pray and sing and tell old tales, and laugh . . .           &nb sp             The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?                         He that parts us shall bring a brand from heavens (959).   Unfortunately the Kings redemption is short for the ending of the play is in the true nature of a tragedy, and in accompaniment epitomizes the genre.