Table of ContentsKing Lear's ResponsibilityKing Lear's Lack of Self-AwarenessKing Lear's Impulsive BehaviorConclusionReferencesIn William Shakespeare's play "King Lear", a central theme revolves around the idea that individuals ultimately shape their own destiny through the choices they make in life. These choices lead to various experiences and changes, reflecting the consequences of their actions. Poor judgment of character is a recurring motif in the play, emphasizing the inability to discern an individual's authenticity based solely on their opinion. Characters who fail to recognize their wrongdoing and shirk responsibility contribute to their own downfall. Additionally, blindness, whether literal or figurative, serves as a thematic element in the play, symbolizing the characters' lack of insight, good judgment, and impulsive actions. This character analysis essay will delve deeper into the concept of responsibility in "King Lear" by examining the characters' poor judgment of character, their blindness to reality, and the role of anger in their actions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Shakespeare uses the concept of blindness as both a physical and psychological defect, emphasizing its role in the deterioration of characters. This form of blindness goes beyond a simple physical impairment, encompassing a lack of rational judgment and a propensity for reckless behavior. An example of this figurative blindness resonates in contemporary society, where deep love can obscure a person's ability to recognize a loved one's flaws or wrongdoing. In this essay, we will explore the responsibility of the characters for their actions and choices in "King Lear," with a particular focus on Lear's erroneous judgment of his character. We will also address the theme of blindness, both literal and metaphorical, and its impact on the fate of the characters. Finally, we will examine how anger clouds judgment, leading to impulsive actions. King Lear's Responsibility To begin, it is essential to assess Lear's responsibility for his own downfall, by considering his actions and his character flaws. An important theme of the play revolves around "judgment of character", particularly illustrated in the "love test" of the opening scene. Lear's assessment of his daughters' love becomes a pivotal moment where he judges their declarations. Goneril and Regan resort to obsequious behavior to manipulate their father, showering him with exaggerated declarations of love and devotion. Lear, however, fails to discern the authenticity of their words. On the other hand, Cordelia's response is authentic but less flattering. Her refusal to indulge in flattery or hyperbole leads Lear to banish her, a decision that weakens his control over his daughters and sets the stage for his imminent downfall. Throughout the play, Lear continually seeks validation from his daughters, demanding proof of their love. His incessant quest for validation comes from his lack of judgment, as he naively fails to recognize the possibility of deception on the part of his other daughters. Lear's inability to see through their façade of affection makes him partly responsible for the tragic consequences that ensue. "blindness." Whenever Lear feels wronged or challenged, he resorts to the phrase “Out of my sight,” signaling his refusal to recognize those who dare to question his judgments. Just before his reckless act of banishing Cordelia, Kent implores the king to reconsider hishasty decisions, telling him: “See better, Lear,” and adds the appeal “let me remain still/the true emptiness of your eye.” Kent's words suggest that Lear might gain clarity by examining Kent's point of view. In a critical moment, Kent, one of Lear's faithful servants, pleads with him: “Consider the consequences of this rashness. Spare my life, my judgment, Your youngest daughter's love for you is far from the least, And those who speak sincerely cannot always appear hollow. » However, Lear remains oblivious to the fact that he is alienating those who truly care and love him while retaining those who deceive him, such as his two accomplice daughters, Goneril and Regan. Cordelia, despite her sincere declaration of love to her father, is banished from the sight of Lear and from the kingdom itself. When Kent, the faithful servant, tries to reason with Lear, he too risks banishment. Kent's call for Lear to “see better” is a call to recognize the impending error. Lear later regrets these actions as his two other daughters betray him, illustrating Lear's blindness to the reality right in front of him. His stubbornness and refusal to see the truth contribute to his responsibility for the consequences throughout the story. It could be argued that King Lear's blindness, both literal and metaphorical, leads directly to his tragic downfall and eventual death. His inability to see the reality of his decisions, coupled with his unwillingness to recognize his own flaws, highlights Lear's responsibility for his actions in the play. The Impulsive Behavior of King LearFinally, this analysis will delve into the heart of human nature, particularly the impulsive behavior of King Lear. anger-motivated behavior and the central role played by a person's upbringing in shaping their actions and responses. This highlights the idea that individuals are ultimately responsible for their actions, which are often referred to as universal flaws. King Lear's descent into tragedy unfolds from the beginning of the play when he rejects his beloved daughter and divides his kingdom between his two other daughters. Ironically, fate turns against Lear, favoring the righteous, represented by characters like Kent and Albany. When Lear defiantly declares: “The terrors of the earth! You think I'm going to cry. No, I will not cry,” he signifies his determination to resist the punishments he faced while trying to maintain his sanity. It is crucial to recognize that King Lear is solely responsible for his decisions. Lear frequently succumbs to impulsiveness throughout the play, driven by his uncontrolled anger. Examples of this impulsive behavior are evident when he angrily banishes his loyal friends and family, curses the gods, and even takes the life of a guard. Lear's inability to control his anger contributes significantly to his tragic misfortunes. At the beginning of the play, he even compares himself to a dragon, a symbol of malevolence and inner turmoil, representing the consequences of action on unbridled anger and the need for inner strength. King Lear is guilty of his own downfall, as his inherently irascible and arrogant temperament motivates his actions. His decisions, such as dividing his kingdom and giving up power, are integral to his demise, and he must take responsibility for them. Ironically, Lear first places the blame on his daughter Cordelia, then on Goneril and Regan, and finally on the gods, even calling himself a "poor old man". He never manages to recognize his own flaws and the role he plays in his own downfall. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a trial,, 32(4), 441-463.