The power Shakespeare's King Lear stems from the tensions in its form and content. The play's complexities, highlighted through a profound investigation into the nature of life, have caused it to stand the test of time, still appealing to the contemporary responder. The fundamental tensions in the play, between moral rightness and equity, intent and action, is brilliantly dramatized through literary devices. King Lear explores the nature of life and human experiences which is filled with the tensions Shakespeare employs. These tensions resonate strongly with the audience because they correspond with different questions of human existence by addressing justice as a prevailing theme. The conclusion of the play serves to highlight that acts of deception have severe consequences as all injustices are resolved through poetic justice.
Justice is the principle of moral rightness and equity; a human quality we are still trying to achieve in today's society. Shakespeare's play; King Lear portrays this theme of justice through the course of its characters. In King Lear justice is served when the punishment of the characters exceeds the crime; whether that is death or torture, the knowledge and compassion that the character gains has an everlasting effect on their life. In the beginning of the play the proud and self-seeking King Lear attempts to divide his kingdom between his three daughters and is quick to value appearances above reality. He demands his daughters to flatter him publicly in order to decide who is most worthy of his kingdom, this clearly demonstrated when he says "which of you shall we say doth love us most?" His inability to see the reality, results in him making an unjust decision towards Cordelia. King Lear, who is accustomed to the flattery of his people, the special privileges given to the powerful, and the empty formalities of kingship, refuses to accept the seeming lack of simple affection declared by Cordelia, therefore disowning her unjustly.
