Good vs. Evil in King Lear

The human race is flawed with basic sin, such as greed, gluttony and pride. When a person exhibits these characteristics, things tend to go wrong no matter how appealing the opportunities appear to be. King Lear’s first exhibited sin when he asked his daughters to tell him how much they loved him so he could decide how much inheritance to give “Know that we have divided/In three our kingdom…Which of you shall we say doth lo

People believe that the skill to lie and cheat is possessed by every human being. But the concept of predetermined fate gives great consequences to every being that messes up with correct reality. Ragan appeared to have strong feelings for her father, but her appearance was false. Regain was told by her father that she must tell him how much she loved him in order to get her inheritance. Regain in return lavished her feelings for her father, and got her inheritance “Ragan: …In my true heart/ …I profess/ myself an enemy to all other joys/… And find I am alone felicitate/ In your dear Highness’ love.” (I, i, 71-9). Ragan played on Lear’s ego by lying and over dramatizing. After this false show of effecting, the real image of Ragan was then apparent, that her father was nothing to her “Ragan: No marvel then, though he were ill affected./’Tis they have put him on old man’s death,/ To have th’ expense and waste of his revenues.” (II, i, 100-3). Ragan’s paths began with a lie to her father and then came to a great sin. Ragan in the heat of passion and rage killed a servant who was standing up for good and wanted to stop Gloucester’s torture by attacking her husband “Ragan: Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? [she takes a sword and runs at him (servant) behind, kills him]” (III, vii, 81-83) By taking an innocent life, Ragan upset the natural flow of death, so fate had to step in and Ragan’s out come was then decided.

Lust and greed are two of the most powerful Deadly sins. Human beings have tried to face these sins by fasting, announcing celibacy and other acts to try and purify their soul and achieves enlightenment. But what if a person actually likes these feelings, or knows nothing else? Goneril and her younger sister Ragan are two of a kind. They both deceived their father to inherit land. Goneril tells her father, just like Ragan, how much she loves him in a very dramatic way “Goneril:...I love you more than word can wield the matter;/As much as child e’er loved, or father found;/ A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable/ Beyond all manner of so much I love you” (I, i, 57-64). Lear also falls for her lie and gives her half the land. Goneril, like her sister, appears to a have no respect for her father. But, unlike Ragan, Goneril does not seem totally evil. Goneril does not treat her father unfairly until his train of soldiers puts disorder and chaos in her home “Goneril: ..But other of your insolent retinue/ Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth/ In rank and not0to-br-endured riots.” (I, iv, 206-9). She does not speak to her father disrespectfully until she had enough of all the disruptions. But, the question you must ask is, was Goneril being reasonable or was she just using the disruption as an excuse to quickly take all the power from her father “Goneril: Hear me, my lord./ What need you five-and twenty? ten? or five?/ To follow in house where twice so many/ Have a command to tend you?” (II, iv, 259-62). Goneril indulged in greed when she lied to her father. She was rude and disrespectful to him, showing absolutely no gratitude for her inheritance “Goneril: This admiration sir, is much o’ th’ savor/ Of other your new pranks/…As you are old and reverend, should be wise.” (I, iv, 243-6). Goneril and Ragan not only acted alike but they also fall in love with the same man. As said before, Ragan wanted Edmond, but so did Goneril. Goneril fell in love with the devilish man, her soul mate of deceitful actions “Goneril: ere long you are like to hear./ If you dare venture in your own behalf,/ A mistress’s command. Wear this; spear speech; [Giving a favor]/ Decline your head. T

Some topics in this essay:
Cordelia” IV, Lear/ Beat, King Lear, Goneril Goneril, Ragan Ragan, Lear NothingNothing, Goneril Ragan, Ragan Goneril, Speak Gentleman, Edmond Gloucester, restore faith, divine intervention, king lear, ragan killed, natural flow, eldest daughters, lear’s journey, daughter cordelia, killed servant, human race, ragan killed servant, play king lear, killed passion anger, natural flow restored, ragan killed passion,