Summary:
Examines the representation of redemtion and pessimism in King Lear, a William Shakespeare play. Debates if the final mood is one of pessimism. Considers if the play meets the definition of tragedy.
Is king Lear a tragic tale of redemption, or one whose final mood is one of pessimism"
Salutations dedicated educators and prospective graduates. It is magnificent to be here at the prestigious university of St. John Bosco, it has been my lifetime ambition to lecture here to the cream de la cream of the southern hemisphere's academic achievers. I myself was educated at Harvard University, mastering in Shakespearean literature with a degree in patronisation and verbosity. Oh, it's a positively honourable pleasure to be here in your knowledgeable presence!
A year ago I was unexpectedly approached by an over-enthusiastic, leprechaun-like student who asked me if King Lear was a tragic tale of redemption or a work whose final mood is one of pessimism. I answered her question with a singular word: 'pessimism', only to later find out that she failed her English speech by taking heed to my superior words. I was taken aback by my failure and have dedicated the rest of my life to finding the answer. Now, to properly decrypt this anomaly of words one must define the imperative expressions in this baffling question.
Pessimism, in essence, is the tendency to expect the worst (cynical, foreboding and melancholy). Redemption is to reinstate oneself into someone's good opinion, to set oneself free from sin (liberate, fulfil or atone). And finally: a tragedy is a serious production in which the hero is destroyed by personal failing and adverse circumstances, sound familiar?
I would like to point out that there are 4 main features of a tragic drama. Firstly, the protagonist suffers from a fatal flaw, in the case of King Lear; Shakespeare condemns Lear with obstinacy and metaphoric blindness. Secondly, the suffering is not isolated to the central character, but to the entire population around him. King Lear's madness and suffering not only throws the entire imperial hierarchy onto anarchy but also the weather as he proclaims that his "wits begin to turn" in Act 3 Scene 2 line 65. His mental torment triggering the worst storm in English history! Thirdly, you have the enlightenment and redemption as a result of the anguish. Lear realises his follies, becomes humble and reunites with his "beloved Cordelia." Finally, the hero dies, followed by the restoration of order. Lear dies of a broken heart Act 5 scene 3 line 284. Left behind are the noble characters of Kent, Albany and Edgar, and by the words of Edgar, are left to "Rule in this realm and in the gored state sustain" in line 294. So not only do the characters travel this path of redemption, but also the play itself.
The most important example of redemption of course is the redemption of Lear, which I have already mentioned. Lear begins as an arrogant king, who ironically through his madness, reaches a point where he can 'see clearly'. Lear realizes his incompetence as a king and laments that he should have been more compassionate to the poor,
He comes to empathize with others and, in doing so, becomes more patient and calm. Proclaiming: O! I have ta'en too little care of this. Act 3 Scene4 lines 32-3. Finally Lear asks for Cordelia's forgiveness saying "You must bear with me: Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish" so that by the end of act 4 scene 6 Lear has been completely redeemed.
Also to be discussed is the redemption of Edmond. His fatal flaw is illegitimacy. Seen as a 'naturally evil' character by society and as a sexual conquest by his father he urges the Gods "to stand up for bastards" Act 1 scene 2 line 22. Edmond's every appearance is accompanied by some crime or another, whether it be forgery, adultery, treason or deceit; what one would call a medieval 'smooth criminal'. Despite his flaw, Edmond redeems himself from his malevolent ways by performing a good deed at his deathbed. "I pant for life. Some good I mean to do, despite of mine own nature. Quickly send to the castle, for my writ is on the life of Lear and of Cordelia." Act 5 scene 3 lines 217-220.
Just as significant is the redemption of Gloucester who has been cursed with gullibility. The classic example of his failings is in Act 1 scene 2 when he takes the word of his bastard son whom he hasn't seen in 9 years over the integrity if his beloved Edgar. He is blinded, evicted and branded a traitor all because of Edmond's calculating wickedness. In Act 4 scene 1 lines 18-19 he realises "I have no way, and therefore want no eyes: I stumbled when I saw." The main aspect of Lear and Gloucester's redemption is their ability to see the truth and to be forgiven by their banished offspring.
The play itself is also redeemed with the destruction of the evil characters of Gonerill, Regan and Edmund and the restoration of order led by the noble Edgar, Albany and Kent. So ultimately, good triumphs over wickedness, which is a classic example of redemption and liberation. The ending is tragic, but is resolutely optimistic.
The redemption of Lear, Edmond, Gloucester and the play itself are the key demonstrations of atonement. Other minor illustrations of redemption include the power of Lear and Cordelia's love to withstand the vicious finale, Kent's ability to resist from the surrounding evil, the growth of Albany's persona and the death of the malicious Cornwall.
Many critics argue that King Lear is ultimately optimistic and filled with hope because it rewards goodness through redemption and punishes evil, but does embrace a pessimistic atmosphere. In my learned opinion this is correct. For most, it is a case of 'is the glass half full or half empty'. Although the play is full of lust, cruelty, greed and leaves the audience with a view of a nihilistic world, it contains many glimmers of hope. To say the play is merely a work whose final mood is one of pessimism is to be completely wrong and ignorant. To say that it is a tragic tale of redemption is to be more correct.
So I stand to correctly say that: KING LEAR IS A TRAGIC TALE OF REDEMPTION WITH A PESSIMISTIC ATMOSPHERE. HENCE THE WORD TRAGEDY.
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