The Importance of the Earl of Kent in Shakespeares King...

The Importance of the Earl of Kent in King Lear The Earl of Kent plays a small but important part in Shakespeares play King Lear. From the beginning scenes to the end we see a minor character that is used to show the values that Shakespeare believed in. Whether Kent is an example of the dutiful servant or plays the intermediary between Lear and Cordelia he is essential to the functioning of the plot. The role of Kent is important because of the use Shakespeare has for his character in giving the reader an example of what the values are in the play. In Kent the reader sees a man who is loyal to his King but is not blind to the wrong that this King has committed Kent is also able to defend his King even though he has†¦show more content†¦Lear no longer wants the burdens of being the ruler he only wants the prestige that goes along with the job. Kent realizes that Lears older daughters, Regan and Goneril, do not deserve to rule Britain and that he has made a mistake by giving them power at the cost of his own. Kent sees what Lear cant see. Once you hand your power over to someone your own standing suffers. The loss of the Kings standing is seen in the way Oswald has lost respect for the King. After Kent has come back to Lear, in disguise, the reader sees the first challenge to the Kings power. Upon inquiring of Oswald where Goneril is. Oswald ignores the Kings request and leaves him unanswered. It is here that we see the lost respect for the King because of the loss of his power. It is in this scene that we see Kent take on the role of protector. Kent forces Oswald out of the Kings presence because of his lack of respect and duty to his King. Oswald is another minor character that Shakespeare uses to build his plot on as well as to illustrate what some of the vices of the time were. He is the negative counterpart of Kent. We see Oswald again after Lear leaves Goneril to go to Regan for assistance and the treatment he thinks he deserves. Kent is sent by the King to tell Regan of the Kin4s approach and of the lack of respect he has been shown by his other daughter. When Kent meets up with Oswald again, Kent attacks Oswald because of the dishonor he has done to the King as well as theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Lears Character Development in Shakespeares King Lear1210 Words   |  5 PagesLears Character Development in Shakespeares King Lear Though King Lear, of Shakespeares play, King Lear, wrongs both Cordelia and Kent in his harsh treatment against them, the unjust actions of Regan and Goneril against King Lear cause him to be a man more sinned against than sinning (3.2.60-61). In order to relieve himself of the problems and work associated with holding his position so he can unburdened crawl toward death, King Lear, of pre-Christ Britain, divides up his kingdomRead MoreThe Importance of Act 1 Scene 2 of William Shakespeares King Lear1323 Words   |  6 PagesThe Importance of Act 1 Scene 2 of William Shakespeares King Lear In a play of immense grandeur, Shakespeare has created within King Lear; a character so depraved that he appears to step beyond the realms of forgiveness. Act 1ii is the keystone of King Lear - its significance and influence radiates throughout the whole of the play. Interwoven with and parallel to the central story line, the subplot is used to enhance and develop the key themes of this tragic masterpieceRead MoreAnalyzing the Characteristics of Kind Lear Essay4690 Words   |  19 PagesCharacteristics of Kind Lear Lear is the protagonist, whose willingness to believe his older daughters’ empty flattery leads to the deaths of many people. In relying on the test of his daughters’ love, Lear demonstrates that he lacks common sense or the ability to detect his older daughters’ falseness. Lear cannot recognize Cordelia’s honesty amid the flattery, which he craves. The depth of Lear’s anger toward Kent, his devoted follower, suggests excessive pride—Lear refuses to beRead MoreRelevance Of Shakespeare s Tragedies Essay2428 Words   |  10 PagesRELEVANCE OF SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGEDIES IN MODERN INDIAN SOCIETY A. Phaniraja Kumar Abstract: Despite the reshifting of values that has affected every aspect of life in the 21st century, William Shakespeare still stands as the greatest writer of the English Language has ever produced. In this paper, I analyse Shakespearean great tragedies’ relevance to the complexities of modern Indian society. His plays have been revalued and reinterpreted in terms to the complexities and especially ‘milieu’ ofRead MoreNatural Law Of Shakespeare s King Lear1664 Words   |  7 PagesDr. Andreacchi ENG4U1 January 6, 2015 Natural Law in Shakespeare’s King Lear King Lear is one of the most famous tragedies, which was written by Shakespeare between 1603 and 1606. During that period, the social unrest swept across the whole England, and the rise of capitalism led to moral turpitude. With the high-speed economic development, many old ethics and moralities had been gradually forgotten and destroyed. Therefore, King Lear can be seen as a true portrayal of the social phenomenaRead MoreShakespeares Use of Madness as a Theme in King Lear2035 Words   |  9 Pages Edgar first assumes the disguise of Poor Tom as Lear and the Earl of Gloucester enter the cave in which Edgar is hiding. Since Edgar was banished, similar to Kent, who is also present later in this act, he must conjure up a disguise. Why does Edgar chose the repulsive beggar that Poor Tom is? Well, remember that Poor Tom represents the popular belief of the insane during the Elizabethan era. Therefore, he is the perfect disguise. No one would ever suspect Poor Tom of being Edgar, because Edgar is