How the Sub-Plot Mirrors the Main Plot in King Lear by...

How the Sub-Plot Mirrors the Main Plot in King Lear by William Shakespeare One can say that the sub plot does mirror the main plot to some extent. Some are in subtle ways and some are in the more obvious ways. Shakespeare has two plots in order to intensify the main theme of tragedy that runs throughout this play. The main plot is in which King Lear is the tragic hero however it is clear that just by misfortune he is deprived of something very valuable to him by error of judgment and this is immediately highlighted in the first scene of Act one where he goes through a rapid transition of loving to hating his only truly loyal daughter Cordelia. Disowning her because she refuses to exaggerate her†¦show more content†¦Although in King Lear the two tragic characters, a king and an earl, are not ordinary men. To have a man who is conspicuous and endures suffering brought about because of his own error is striking. The fear aroused for this man is of great importance because of his exalted position. His fall is awesome and overwhelming. This also appl ies in ‘Othello’, where the high position of Othello is such that his fall is to a catastrophic level and highlights the tragedy. When tragedy, as in ‘King Lear’, happens to two such men, the effect is even greater. Although some of Lear’s actions and decisions are very flawed, they are not occasioned by any corruption or depravity in him, but by an error in judgement, which, however, does arise from a defect of character. Lear has a tragic flaw, which is indeed egotism. It is his egotism in the first scene that causes him to make his error in judgment - the division of his kingdom and the loss of Cordelia. Throughout the rest of the play, the consequences of this error slowly and steadfastly increase until Lear is destroyed. Therefore although egotism is a big part of his character, that does not prevent the audience from understanding the tragedy that falls on him. This is because for us as the audience to identify tragedy with him, we must feel th at what happens to him could happen to us. IfShow MoreRelatedReligion in Shakespeare1024 Words   |  4 PagesThe religion of William Shakespeare is a subject about which very few people have a complete understanding. His plays and poems contain an almost overwhelming number of biblical references and allusions to biblical thinking, which can be seen as either Protestant or Catholic in understanding. His concealment of various understandings and interpretations of religious ideology make it difficult to ascertain his own religious beliefs, however, through further analysis of [insert names of plays], onceRead MoreEssay about Shakespeares Twelfth Night1780 Words   |  8 Pages Shakespeares Twelfth Night A study of William Shakespeares Twelfth Night, showing how Shakespeares choice of form, structure and language shape meaning Wit, andt be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits that think they have thee do very oft prove fools; and I that am sure I lack thee may pass for a wise man. For what says Quinapalus? Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. Shakespeares plays were written to be performed to an audience from different social classes and