Essay | Family Betrayal in King Lear

"Et tu Brute""(Act III, Scene 1, Line 77) were the words of Julius Caesar after being brutally stabbed and betrayed by his colleague, Brutus, in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The theme of Betrayal is evident in many of Shakespeare's characters be it Iago in Othello, Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar, or many of the key characters in the tragedy of King Lear. In the first act of the play, the scene is set for action as our protagonist, the aging King Lear, decides to abdicate his throne and divide it between his three daughters in divisions proportionate to their declaration of love for him.

And here are to be answered. Tell me, my daughters--

Since now we will divest us, both of rule

Interest of territory, cares of state--

Which of you shall we say doth love us most"( I, i, 48-51)

The eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan...
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