The Tragedy? of King Lear // Abigale Bell

How do we define a classic tragedy? We might say it is the tale of a hero's decline. Maybe we would say it's a story where everyone dies in the end. Universally, a tragedy has no happy ending. King Lear seems to meet these criteria. As a character, he portrays tragic elements until the moment of his redemption near the end. In class we touched on the idea of a happy catastrophe or "Eucatastrophe." To me, this paradox describes Lear well. 

Act I introduces King Lear as a harsh, angry man. He is prideful and wants the attention of others. As the play progresses, these traits continue to be evident. When Regan and Goneril finally throw Lear out into the storm, his emotions are in turmoil. The deterioration of Lear as a character comes to a head on the heath in act III. 

Cordelia, King Lear's youngest and favorite daughter, the only one who truly loves him, the one whom he banished, makes preparations to rescue him from his plight. When Lear is found and rescued from the storm, Cordelia begs the gods to "...Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature./ Th' untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up/ Of this child-changed father" (4.7.15-17). She recognizes that her sisters have been cruel to Lear rather than recognizing that he was cruel to her. At this point, Lear's character begins an upward turn. He has been humbled in his old age and insanity. He sees Cordelia as the daughter whom he has rejected. 

LEAR. I know you do not love me; for your sisters/ Have, as I do remember, done me wrong./ You have some cause, they have not. 

CORDELIA. No cause, no cause. (4.7.72-75)

Lear's character has changed from harsh to humble. He recognizes his fault and wrong he has done to Cordelia. She openly and easily forgives him. Lear's redemption brought about by Cordelia's forgiveness makes this story a "Eucatastrophe." Were it not for Lear's cruelty and insanity, his daughters may not have cast him out. Were it not for the storm, he may not have been humbled. Were it not for his state of humility and brokenness, he may never have reconciled with Cordelia. King Lear's downward spiral resulted in an upward turn.


Commented on Hailey Walsh's and Ashlyn Scism's posts. 


Comments

  1. Emma Kate PattersonAugust 30, 2021 at 2:56 PM

    I think it is important for us to recognize that what happened to King Leer often happens to many kids in todays society. Many kids do wrong things to make themselves seem cool to society but it often gets to a point where they realize how bad they have gotten and decide to change for the better.

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  2. UnknownAugust 30, 2021 at 3:27 PM

    I like your comment on the idea that this downward spiral did lead to some of their part betters of their character. By falling to his madness, he reconciled with his daughter Cordelia. That was not an end that I expected, and I am glad to see I am not the only one who noticed that this was one of the better aspects of Lear that befell him before the end of the play.

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  3. Emily OttsAugust 30, 2021 at 6:05 PM

    I definitely think King Lear's character changing after Cordelia saves him and forgives him is very similar to the gospel. Cordelia did not have to forgive her father and save him, but she did so anyway. Like you said, it humbled him and changed his character. It is very similar to what happens in a Christian's life after being saved.

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