Analysis of Major characters:
Lear:
Lear is the main character of book and his main flaw is his
inability to see reality, for he sees appearance then essence. At the very
opening when he has the contest for the dividing of his empire, we see he is an
old father at heart wishing to know he is wanted and has love around him. He is
very pitiful to see him in this very perspective. The main question with his
character is if he has the ability to change was the story continues. We must
ask if he has progressed and as the story continues we see that he comes more
humble and kind. He eventually learns about his own morality and his comparison
to that of the universe which revolves around him. He comes to cherish Cordelia
through this new found knowledge and comes to love her even more by the end of
the story.
Cordelia:
Cordelia is Lear’s third and previously favorite daughter, the
most truthful, faithful and beloved of the kingdom, although Lear doesn’t
believe it in the first act due to her refusal to flatter him as her sisters
do. She insists honestly and forthrightly that she loves him so much that there
are no proper words to describe it. When she spoke, Lear becomes enraged and
sends her away with no land to her name. Even though she is absent through most
of the play, Cordelia returns with an army in Act 4 to save her father from her
sisters, their husbands, and other forces that have risen against the mad King
Lear. Cordelia is the most misunderstood character and most pitiful of them
all. She serves as the symbol of love and loyalty mid a kingdom filled with
lies and deception. She is the only really honorable person in the
play.
Regan:
Regan is Lear's second daughter and she shares in the joint manipultation of her father with elder sister, Goneril. The two take over their father's kingdom of Britain and out of greed strip him of his power and sanity. Both betray their father and represent duplicate states of humanity, saying one thing and intending another. They represent the evil in the play which turns inward and annihilates itself. Regan and Goneril's greed stems from their need for power which ultimately leads them to killing their sister. She being the rightful ruler of Britain, thus the death of their sister kills their father.
Goneril:
Lear's eldest daughter, see Regan's analysis for actions.
Edgar:
The rightful son of Gloucester similar to Cordelia.
Edmund:
The bastard son of Gloucester whose actions are similar to the manipulation and intentions of Lear's elder two daughters, Regan and Goneril.
Lear is the main character of book and his main flaw is his
inability to see reality, for he sees appearance then essence. At the very
opening when he has the contest for the dividing of his empire, we see he is an
old father at heart wishing to know he is wanted and has love around him. He is
very pitiful to see him in this very perspective. The main question with his
character is if he has the ability to change was the story continues. We must
ask if he has progressed and as the story continues we see that he comes more
humble and kind. He eventually learns about his own morality and his comparison
to that of the universe which revolves around him. He comes to cherish Cordelia
through this new found knowledge and comes to love her even more by the end of
the story.
Cordelia:
Cordelia is Lear’s third and previously favorite daughter, the
most truthful, faithful and beloved of the kingdom, although Lear doesn’t
believe it in the first act due to her refusal to flatter him as her sisters
do. She insists honestly and forthrightly that she loves him so much that there
are no proper words to describe it. When she spoke, Lear becomes enraged and
sends her away with no land to her name. Even though she is absent through most
of the play, Cordelia returns with an army in Act 4 to save her father from her
sisters, their husbands, and other forces that have risen against the mad King
Lear. Cordelia is the most misunderstood character and most pitiful of them
all. She serves as the symbol of love and loyalty mid a kingdom filled with
lies and deception. She is the only really honorable person in the
play.
Regan:
Regan is Lear's second daughter and she shares in the joint manipultation of her father with elder sister, Goneril. The two take over their father's kingdom of Britain and out of greed strip him of his power and sanity. Both betray their father and represent duplicate states of humanity, saying one thing and intending another. They represent the evil in the play which turns inward and annihilates itself. Regan and Goneril's greed stems from their need for power which ultimately leads them to killing their sister. She being the rightful ruler of Britain, thus the death of their sister kills their father.
Goneril:
Lear's eldest daughter, see Regan's analysis for actions.
Edgar:
The rightful son of Gloucester similar to Cordelia.
Edmund:
The bastard son of Gloucester whose actions are similar to the manipulation and intentions of Lear's elder two daughters, Regan and Goneril.