Goneril and Reagan are both driven by power and greed. In their minds, they do not think their thoughts or actions to obtain supremacy are wrong. They think that they have the right to all the land and power since they are the daughters of King Lear. They view their father as getting old and foolish, so they think it is proper to take over. Once King Lear hands over the land and power to them after they pledged their “love” to them, they do not treat him well. Goneril even tells Lear to get rid of his troops, which was the only thing he had left to show he used to be king. She also heartlessly tells Reagan to not take him in when he comes to stay with her. The two daughters no longer have to flatter and make him believe they care about him. Having usurped his land and power they have no need for their father. They have no mercy as they turn him out of their kingdoms and strip him of what little pride he has left.
Today, people still do the same evil things as Goneril and Reagan, but generally on a smaller scale. Kids will sweet talk their parents to get what they want, whether it is money, a ride, or a favor. Likewise, employees may be nice and polite to their bosses to get a raise or promotion, but behind their backs they might be critical. People often act in deceitful ways out of self-interest and greed. They want to better themselves and improve their conditions so they use or flatter people. On a larger scale, countries may deceive other countries into trusting them, allying with them, or trading with them, but really their intentions are self-serving. The countries are just using other countries to get what they want whether it includes advanced technology, assistance in fighting wars, or exchanging goods to create dependency. In conclusion, Goneril and Reagan show how people in society can be deceitful and untrustworthy mean in order to better themselves.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
King Lear #1
Edmund is the Earl of Gloucester’s bastard son, and therefore, does not have any legal right to the throne. Edmund’s envy and ambition lead him to plot against his father and his half brother, Edgar, who is the legitimate son of Gloucester. Not only is Edmund driven to obtain power and land, he also wants others to realize how he is denied equality and rights just because he is considered a bastard. He does not think it is fair that Edgar, who shares the same father, has the right to all the land and power, but he has none. He thinks he is just as worthy of it as Edgar.
Even though Edmund is devising a scheme against Gloucester and Edgar, he is able to suppress his emotions and act as if nothing is wrong. For example, when Gloucester tells Kent that Edmund is his bastard son and then introduces him, Edmund acts like nothing is wrong and is very polite. He does not seem bothered that his father was appeared embarrassed about his illegitimacy. I know that if I were in that position, I would not be able to hold in my anger and I would show Gloucester that I had a problem with how he was talking about me. After all, Edmund did not have any control over being born and who his mother was.
Gloucester perhaps treats Edmund with great disrespect because he reminds Gloucester of a mistake he made. Gloucester had an affair with another woman and Edmund is the evidence. Also, Gloucester probably does not treat Edmund fairly because Gloucester does not want to hurt his reputation since he values appearances more than reality. If people find out about his illegitimate son, it could change their view of him. In addition, he might not want to be nice to Edmund because he wants to remind him that he is not his real son and will never be able to obtain the power or the throne.
A modern day equivalent to this could be when a family has step-children. One of the parents might remind their step-children that they are not blood-related and therefore they are not their kids. This could be a way to show power and dominance over the children or it could be a means of disowning them so they have no responsibility for them. The step-children could also tell their step-parents that they are not their real parents so they do not have to listen to or obey them.
Even though Edmund is devising a scheme against Gloucester and Edgar, he is able to suppress his emotions and act as if nothing is wrong. For example, when Gloucester tells Kent that Edmund is his bastard son and then introduces him, Edmund acts like nothing is wrong and is very polite. He does not seem bothered that his father was appeared embarrassed about his illegitimacy. I know that if I were in that position, I would not be able to hold in my anger and I would show Gloucester that I had a problem with how he was talking about me. After all, Edmund did not have any control over being born and who his mother was.
Gloucester perhaps treats Edmund with great disrespect because he reminds Gloucester of a mistake he made. Gloucester had an affair with another woman and Edmund is the evidence. Also, Gloucester probably does not treat Edmund fairly because Gloucester does not want to hurt his reputation since he values appearances more than reality. If people find out about his illegitimate son, it could change their view of him. In addition, he might not want to be nice to Edmund because he wants to remind him that he is not his real son and will never be able to obtain the power or the throne.
A modern day equivalent to this could be when a family has step-children. One of the parents might remind their step-children that they are not blood-related and therefore they are not their kids. This could be a way to show power and dominance over the children or it could be a means of disowning them so they have no responsibility for them. The step-children could also tell their step-parents that they are not their real parents so they do not have to listen to or obey them.
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