Hamlet and King Lear?

Question

How do both plays explore man's temporal nature? How do both plays use man's mortality as a central theme? Help me please! I have no idea! haha

Answer 1

Well, Hamlet was instigated to do the things that he did by his wife. The witches were the catalysts to his hidden ambition, but it was his wife's comments which questioned his manhood and pushed him to do it. It shows that men are weak and that they give in to their desires and will do anything to achieve what they want, even if it is sinister.

That's what I know about Hamlet, never read King Lear dude, lol.

Answer 2

"King Lear" is triggered by man's temporal nature. It is Lear himself who, being aware of his own mortality, tries to do something about it. He is 80, and on his death the kingdom will pass to his successor, ie, his eldest daughter, Goneril. He tries to break that eventuality by

(1) abdicating now, and

(2) dividing the kingdom between his three daughters.

This, unfortunately, does not go as he planned (and so we end up with a wonderful tragic play). There are other instances of temporal matters, such as Edgar convincing his blinded father that enduring life is preferable to suicide.

Everything in "Hamlet" follows from King Hamlet's death (ie, uses man's mortality). Things revolve around temporal issues, eg, Hamlet's inaction whilst unsure of the ghost's veracity; or actions on the spur of the moment, such as Polonius's death.

"To be, or not to be" explores man's temporal questions.

Hamlet also says "If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come."

Answer 3

i found a site that help you

http://www.slashdoc.com/documents/59097