King Lear Betrayal Essay
Betrayal King Lear – 40U Essay Rough Copy 2
“You want to believe that there's one relationship in life that's beyond betrayal. A relationship that's beyond that kind of hurt, and there isn't.”(Caleb Carr) The progression of humans evolves and transform as a result of the choices that are made by us. The theme of betrayal and treachery is evident in everyday works and society. If children feel the need to betray their parents in order to obtain their parents land, money or power, problems arise. When these feelings are acted upon as it causes many struggles within families as is evident in King Lear. While betrayal and treachery is a prevailing theme in society, it is also present in literature. Betrayal and treachery is a prevailing theme in King Lear and this is evident through the characters of Edmund, King Lear and Goneril.
To begin, betrayal and treachery is evident in the works of King Lear through the character of Edmund, especially when examining his betrayal of his brother Edgar, his father Gloucester and finally his treachery towards Regan and Goneril. Edmund begins his treachery and betrayal of his half-brother to Gloucester as he forges a letter stating that Edgar wants to take all of Gloucester’s land and power. Gloucester questions Edgar about if he has knowledge as to who gave him the letter and Edgar replies “It was not brought me, my lord. There’s the cunning of it. I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet.” (1, 1, 59-61). Edmund, fully aware Edgar did not craft the letter forges it himself. As a result Gloucester believes Edgar has betrayed him and is now plotting against him, portraying Edgar as a cruel son who despises his father and earns for the fruits of his glory. Subsequently, Edmund betrays his own father in the search for power and wealth and does this when Gloucester questions Edmund if Edgar has ever acted on the emotions portrayed through the letter. Edmund cleverly replies saying “Never, my lord. But I have heard him oft
“You want to believe that there's one relationship in life that's beyond betrayal. A relationship that's beyond that kind of hurt, and there isn't.”(Caleb Carr) The progression of humans evolves and transform as a result of the choices that are made by us. The theme of betrayal and treachery is evident in everyday works and society. If children feel the need to betray their parents in order to obtain their parents land, money or power, problems arise. When these feelings are acted upon as it causes many struggles within families as is evident in King Lear. While betrayal and treachery is a prevailing theme in society, it is also present in literature. Betrayal and treachery is a prevailing theme in King Lear and this is evident through the characters of Edmund, King Lear and Goneril.
To begin, betrayal and treachery is evident in the works of King Lear through the character of Edmund, especially when examining his betrayal of his brother Edgar, his father Gloucester and finally his treachery towards Regan and Goneril. Edmund begins his treachery and betrayal of his half-brother to Gloucester as he forges a letter stating that Edgar wants to take all of Gloucester’s land and power. Gloucester questions Edgar about if he has knowledge as to who gave him the letter and Edgar replies “It was not brought me, my lord. There’s the cunning of it. I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet.” (1, 1, 59-61). Edmund, fully aware Edgar did not craft the letter forges it himself. As a result Gloucester believes Edgar has betrayed him and is now plotting against him, portraying Edgar as a cruel son who despises his father and earns for the fruits of his glory. Subsequently, Edmund betrays his own father in the search for power and wealth and does this when Gloucester questions Edmund if Edgar has ever acted on the emotions portrayed through the letter. Edmund cleverly replies saying “Never, my lord. But I have heard him oft