What makes King Lear a tragedy?

Question

What would be the main reason?

Answer 1

The General plot of King Lear revolves mainly around the conflict between the King and his daughters, although there is a definite and distinct sub-plot dealing with the plight and tragedy of Gloucester as well. One of the main themes that Shakespeare chooses to focus on in King Lear is the dysfunctional nature of not only the royal family and Gloucester, but the heartache and emotional strain that goes along with being a parent and having to make a decision that will divide your children. This play focuses on not only the after effects of this decision, but the way in which it affects the King, his children and his subjects as well.

A strong case can be made for King Lear as Shakespeare's most tragic effort of his career. The fact that nearly the entire cast of this play either is murdered or dies with little to no redemption makes the strongest case for this. In nearly every other Shakespearian work, save perhaps Othello, at least some of the characters enjoy a bit of redemption or salvation with the resolution of the conflict. King Lear's characters are privy to neither of these. The bitterness, sadness, and reality of the human psyche that is contained throughout this work demonstrate its tragic nature best, however.

The tie emotionally and physically between a father and a daughter (or son, in relation to the Gloucester/Edmund/Edgar plot) is something entirely different than husband-wife or boyfriend-girlfriend in many of Shakespeares other plays. In the very beginning of the play, when Lear is foolishly dividing up his kingdom between his three daughters, and after he has asked Cordelia's two older sisters what they "think" of him, he turns to her and asks the same question. Her reply shows the true nature of her character, as she says, "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love Your Majesty according to my bond, no more, nor less." (1.1, ll. 91-93) His words could almost be considered threatening by declaring that her unwillingness to express her love in words might, "mar her fortunes." We are privy to definitive foreshadowing with Cordelia's reply of, "Good my lord, you have begot me, bred me, loved me. I return those duties back to you as are right fit, obey you, love you, and most honor you. Why have my sisters husbands if they say they love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, that lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, to love my father all." (1.1, ll. 96-104)

One must note that during this time, women were supposed to be subordinate and obediant to men, Codelia's position here is a precarious one, and one that must be backed by firm belief, as she still will not give in to Lear after his threats, which shows us from the very start that she is an extremely strong-willed and determined young woman. The mere existence of this incredibly foolish "game" illustrates to us Lear's overwhelming insecurities about his relationship with his three daughters. Cordelia's refusal angers him, painting a picture of (not for the last time) Lear's poor capacity for dealing with relationships, father-daughter or otherwise. This scene also shows us the banishment of loyal Kent, who (other than Cordelia) speaks the only wise words in the scene, some of which are directed right to Lear himself, "What woulds't thou do, old man? Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak when power to flattery bows? To plainess honor's bound when majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state, and in thy best consideration check this hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgement, thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, nor are those emptyhearted whose low sounds reverb no hollowness." (1.1, ll. 146-155) Lear answers him in line 155 with, "Kent, on thy life, no more." These are but the seedlings of the gruesome plot which follows, as Kent, and more importantly, Cordelia, are both gone.