King Lear | Essays

  • Is Lear a Tragic Hero?

    In this essay, R. Moore discusses the character of King Lear. Should Lear be regarded as a hero?

  • The Power of Language and the Language of Power in King Lear

    P. Pick discusses the use of language in King Lear as it conveys power, deceipt, and flattery between and among the characters. Pick examines the evolution of Lear's language as the play progresses.

  • King Lear and Comedy

    In this essay, P. Pick examines comedic elements and structure in King Lear, notwithstanding its overall status as a dark tragedy. The essay includes an overview of critical appraisals of the play, and touches on the sub-plot of Gloucester, Edmund, and Edgar.

  • A Brief Critical History of King Lear

    In this essay, P. Pick discusses the major critical assessments of King Lear over the centuries, from Nahum Tate through A. C. Bradley, Samuel Johnson, G. Wilson Knight, and more. What did these giants of literary criticism think of King Lear?

  • King Lear: Saints and Sinners

    A. Watkinson examines the Christian themes of redemption, suffering, and sin present in King Lear as portrayed through the main characters in the play.

  • The Tragic Ending of King Lear

    In this essay, R. Moore examines how and why Shakespeare imbued the story of Lear with a tragic ending. Moore discusses how the play must be a tragedy in order to illustrate certain poetic truths about life.

  • Good and Evil Children in King Lear and Henry IV

    R. Moore discusses the role of children in both works, including Regan, Goneril, Cordelia, Hotspur, and Hal.

  • Textual and Contextual Analysis of the Opening Scene in Shakespeare's King Lear

    In this essay, R. Moore examines in-depth the opening scene of King Lear, one which has been the subject of extensive literary interpretation and critical debate.

  • Contrast in Character in The Tragedy of King Lear

    In this essay, R. Moore explores in-depth the various characters in the play, and how their human qualities and moral values compare among each other.

  • Kingship and the Themes of Shakespeare's Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth

    In this essay, R. Moore examines the manner in which Shakespeare treats the nature of kingship in the three works, and how that treatment reflects the essential tone and themes of the works.

  • Madness in King Lear

    R. Moore examines Lear's descent into madness and his subsequent recovery and recognition of his faults.

  • Two Critical Episodes in Shakespeare's King Lear

    R. Moore presents an analysis is of two episodes in King Lear: Lear's rage upon the heath in Act III, and the sub-plot of Gloucester in Act IV. Moore discusses how the latter episode serves to reinforce and complement Lear's suffering.