plotlear Parallel Plots of Shakespeares King Lear Essay

The Parallel Plots of Shakespeares King Lear Many works of literature contain parallel plots in which similar actions taken by various characters precipitate identical results. Upon careful examination, it is evident that â€Å"such plots exist in Shakespeares play King Lear with the deaths of King Lear, Cordelia, Edmund, and Goneril, among others† (Curry 17). The betrayal of a commitment to an authority figure is the cause behind each of the above characters death. Likewise, the consistent loyalty of Kent, the Fool, and Edgar is rewarded when they outlive their traitorous peers. King Lear, who as a divine-right king derives his power from God, betrays Gods will when he transfers his kingdom to his daughters,†¦show more content†¦In the beginning of the play, Lear is in the process of dividing up his kingdom and confides in Kent that Goneril, Reagan, and Cordelia will each receive equal shares. Also, Lear decides that Cordelia should receive the more desirable central region of the kingdom. Before announcing his decision, Lear requests that each of his daughters declare her undying love for him in order to receive a portion of the kingdom. While Goneril and Reagan tell Lear what he wants to hear, rebellious Cordelia refuses to play along in Lears game and declares: I love your Majesty/ According to my bond, no more nor less (Shakespeare 4). Lear interprets Cordelias unwillingness to embellish as disloyalty and, as a result, grants her no land and disowns her. Cordelias refusal to declare her extraordinary love for her father was only her first traitorous act. After losing the land that was to serve as her dowry, Cordelia is married to the King of France. Cordelia owes the King of France much gratitude since marrying a bride without a dowry was a virtually unheard of practice at the time. However, Cordelia soon betrays her role as the Queen of France in Act IV Scene IV when she states: No blown ambition doth our arms incite, / But love, dear love, and our aged fathers right (Shakespeare 91). As the Queen of France, a longtime enemy of England, the objective of any invasion mounted by Cordelia should be