Like all Shakespearean tragedies, “King Lear” has several dominant humanist themes. Certainly, the plot revolves around the obvious themes of parent-child relationships, sibling rivalries, and pride as the fall of man. However, a common theme integrates all of these elements: a quest for love. In each respective plot, the characters are driven by a need for recognition and acceptance. Lear's desire for flattery from his daughters, Edmund's desire to usurp the position of his brother's heir, and Goneril and Regan's argument over Edmund's love all point to the common theme of 'a thirst for love. By analyzing each plot, one can see that the characters' search for unrequited love is the central driving force behind the tragedy of Shakespeare's "King Lear." Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Lear's Need for Flattery: King Lear is a sad character from the beginning of the play. Lear's search for love is manifested in his insistence on attracting the flatteries of his daughters. His lack of confidence in the love of his three daughters is introduced in the first scene. By demanding that his daughters flatter him for their dowry, Lear shows that he constantly needs reassurance of her importance. “Which of you shall we say loves us most?” Lear asks his daughters (1.1 line 52). Unfortunately for Lear, his favorite daughter Cordelia refuses to be humiliated by her father's vanity, while Regan and Goneril profit from the old man's bargain of wealth in exchange for flattery. Cordelia's refusal angers Lear and he says, "Nothing will come of nothing" and banishes her from the kingdom (1.1 line 95). The other two girls conspire against Lear, discredit his sanity and the tragedy begins. If Lear had only realized that true love could not be found in flattery, his end would not have been so quick or so terrible. Lear's insistence on flattery caused his downfall from proud king to naked fool. Additionally, due to Lear's willingness to rely on the flattery of Regan and Goneril, he never received the acceptance he sought, as the two evil girls banished him from his former kingdom. At first he insists that the daughters' love is expressed, but by the end of the play his experience has taught Lear that there is no hope of love from his daughters. He cries, “Do your worst, blind Cupid, I will not love” (4.4, line 153). Love has once again eluded the old man, making the play even more tragic. Edmund's need for recognition: Edmund's tragedy is his status as the bastard son of Gloucester. As a bastard, his destiny is essentially to be second only to his legitimate brother, Edgar. Edmund truly desires to be the boys' father's favorite, but he recognizes his illegitimacy by saying, "Well, then rightful Edgar, I must have your land" (1.2 line 15). Edmund, however, is marked by heartless ambition and creates a plot to be first in his father's kingdom, even though he cannot be first in his father's heart. The audience can clearly see that Edmund desires his father's love. Edmund's plan to disinherit Edgar directly follows the scene in which Gloucester reluctantly tells Kent that Edmund is a "son of a bitch" who "needs to be recognized" (1.1, line 22). Certainly, with a father who prefers to deny his existence, Edmund has reason to struggle for acceptance. Because his father ignores him, Edmund swears “if not by birth, to have lands by the spirit” (1.3 line 177). He cries for vengeance: “Now, gods, defend the bastards!..