King Lear Research Paper

Many themes are evident in King Lear. Two of the most prevalent relates to the themes of justice and mercy. Throughout the play it is shown that mercy gave the kingdom and the characters in the story pain. Justice is one of the most fundamental requirement of a civilized society. As the events and characters of Shakespeare’s King Lear clearly indicate, without justice there is only chaos. The leads to the idea that justice should be the standard by which people are governed in dealing with natural law and crime. A Just system allows for peaceful living. Justice contains a higher importance than mercy for reprimanding situations; mercy is only a for personal responses not societal.

Without Justice there will be chaos. In King Lear when Albany responds to his Goneril by saying, “If that the heavens do not their visible spirits /Send quickly down to tame these …show more content…
In the first act King Lear announces his retirement and is bound to distribute his wealth to his daughters. King Lear asked his daughters, “which of you shall we say doth love us most,/ That we our largest bounty may extend" (1.1.53-54). His two daughters Regan and Goneril lie to their father in order to receive a bigger percentage of the kingdom. There is a lack of a moral compass because both daughters do not truly care about their father. None of them pay attention to the consequence of their actions. Other crimes that they have committed was lying, treachery and lust. They had served an injustice for their actions. With their manipulation they both are served justice. From disobeying natural law they are both faced with death. Throughout of the play both sisters are both in lusting over Edmund. Goneril poisoned Regan to be with Edmund. After Edmund’s murder by Edgar she killed herself. Justice was served because they had died. Their manipulation and jealousy lead to the death of both of them. Mercy in this situation could not stop crimes only justice

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