King Lear and Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, are two plays that reveal similar thematic elements, but have fundamentally different plot structures. Driven by the suffering and rage of two complementary characters, both plays suggest injustice through “good” but ultimately imperfect characters. This common general theme, however, is conveyed differently in each of the works, as one employs two primarily disparate plot threads, while the other relies more on the interplay between the two central plots. Yet the ultimate goal of this dualism remains the same in both King Lear and Hamlet, in that Shakespeare's use of the double plot illuminates the tragic elements of both plays, emphasizing the fundamental injustices throughout the intertwined parallelisms of two distinct groups. the parallel structure reflects the tragic nature of the plot primarily in the symmetries between Lear and Gloucester. By describing a simultaneous betrayal, of Lear by Goneril and Regan, and of Gloucester by Edmund, Shakespeare not only establishes a strong sense of cruelty in the breaking of family ties, but also reinforces the overall themes of the play through repetition. This repetition is, however, not without essential differences, which offer two distinct perspectives that lead to a coherent whole. For example, juxtaposing Lear's belief that "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have an ungrateful child" (1.4.302-3) with Gloucester's phrase "O my follies! Then Edgar was mistreated. Gracious gods, forgive me for this and make him prosper. (3.7.111-112), it is immediately apparent that, although their betrayals are quite similar, their responses differ sharply. While Lear is quick to point out the injustices around him, ...... middle of paper ...... in the manner, showing the disparity of their characters, as well as their similar fate , Shakespeare creates a more universal tragedy, suggesting that a myriad of flaws can lead to the same eventuality. From this point of view, the role of the double plot within King Lear and Hamlet is above all that of a foil, serving to illustrate the truths of the two plays within the clashes and dualities which a subplot introduces. . In King Lear, this parallel plot structure is used to present similar suffering through two unique lenses, while in Hamlet, the conflicts and intermingling between Hamlet and Laertes serve to convey tragedy through irony, in their deaths reciprocal and their similar motivations. As such, the double plot is an integral part of both plays, as it serves to reinforce the central themes through the similarities and differences of two different groups..