King Lear Justice Essays - Film, Arts, Literature, King Lear

King Lear: Justice Humans, like all creatures on the earth, have the privilege of the freedom of choice. There are two broad ranges of factors that affect the decisions a person makes. The first factor that affects decision making is internal and includes a person's character and intellect. The second factor is external such as environment and interaction with other people. Naturally, each decision a person makes results in a repercussion of some degree, usually either helpful or hindering, and rarely inconsequential. The concept of justice is based on the fact that decisions are always followed by consequences. It strictly adheres to the rewarding of good deeds and the punishment of evil. King Lear, a play by William Shakespeare, is a grave tragedy that is a prime example of the Elizabethan conception of justice. Lear's kingdom turns to chaos because of a break in the "Great Chain of Being" and restores to order when justice prevails. Its tragic labelling stems from the prevalence of death the just punishment for many of its characters. The deaths of Lear, Goneril, and Edmund are prime examples of justice prevailing for evil, and in Lear's case unnatural, acts. Lear's ultimate fate is death. His early demise is a direct result of breaching the "Great Chain of Being" which states that no mortal will abandon his position in the hierarchy of ranking set by God. Lear's intention of abdicating his throne is apparent from the outset and is seen in the following speech spoken during the opening scene of the play: . . . 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age, Conferring them on younger strengths while we Unburdened crawl toward death. . .1 Evidently the splitting of Lear's kingdom and abdication of his throne is not an act of necessity, but an act toward easing the remainder of his life. Lear's disruption of the "Great Chain of Being" is in an unnatural fashion because the abdication of his kingship is without dire or mortal cause. The method of passing down his land to his heirs is also unnatural, as seen in the following excerpts: . . . Know that we have divided In three our kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Which of you [three daughters] shall we say doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge. . . .2 Lear does not bestow his kingdom upon his eldest son, nor is he even going to bestow the largest portion of the divided kingdom upon his eldest son. He expresses his intent to split his kingdom and grant the pieces as his daughters' dowers, the largest piece being granted to whichever of the three professes to love him most. This is a violation of the natural order of commonly accepted hierarchy that states a father's estate be endowed upon his eldest son. An error in judgement and untempered release of anger are also factors contributing to Lear's downfall. Lear listens to flattery from Goneril, "I love you more than word can wield the/matter;"3 and Regan, "I find she [Goneril] names my very deed of love,/Only she comes too short. . ."4 in their bidding to profess they love Lear the most among the three daughters, but Cordelia does not compete with their flattery: Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty [Lear] According to my bond [filial], no more nor less.5 Cordelia cannot flatter Lear with praise and states that she merely loves him as a daughter should love her father, with respect and obedience. Lear is so heartbroken by his youngest, and until then his most beloved, daughter's refusal to praise him with her love that a rage ensues: Lear. Let it be so! thy truth then be they dower! For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, The mysteries of Hecate and the night; By all the operation of the orbs [stars] From whom we do exist and cease to be; Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood, And