Loyalty/Duty

Loyalty/Duty

1. Central theme which is manifested in complex ways often requiring great sacrifice by characters who embody it.

   • C - lives by commandment 'honour thy father', but she is unwilling to cater for L's ego. - sign of respect not recognised by L.
     • Expresses something profound about nature of filial duty and love. - invoking commandment whilst simultaneously pointing out the impossibility of a truly compassionate person being able to love in the exaggerated way demanded - "Why have my sisters husbands, if they say they love you all?"
       • Fintan O'Toole - most important value in plan is 'common humanity'. C stands as this when she comes with 'nothing', making her nothing in eyes of L; however it is this absence which is most powerful in play - when lost to L, becomes a lingering human presence in his mind.
     • insecurity that drives L
     • C immediately forgives L and takes pity on his condition - empathises through repetition of 'love', indicating depth of compassion.
   • Selfless behaviour of Kent, Edgar & Fool. Virtue that transcends social class. Also demonstrated by CW's servant and G's tenant - risk lives out of sense of obligation.
     • Kent's defiance - act of great loyalty which L doesn't see. S suggesting true loyalty involves a willingness to be honest, regardless of how painful that honesty might be. K & C - possess complex sense of human relationships.
       • K demonstrates depth of loyalty by returning disguised as 'Caius' to serve L, despite having been banished.
         • K is one of characters left at the end with Edg and A - all loyal, truthful and 'good' characters. = enlightenment and hope.
       • plain speech = banishment but again is willing to say what he sees despite this when condemning Oswald.
       • 'See better, Lear'
     • tenant - refuses to abandon G in time of need - more moving as ties to G less personal - understands nature of loyalty like C & K.
   • Fool observes L is quick to punish anyone who tells the truth and reluctance to hear it from friends and advisors; but welcomes flattery.
   • G's proclamation of a broken heart echoes L's own claims and extends theme of children's ingratitude and betrayal.

2. Albany stands part from his wife and in-laws as a decent man who wants to make sure that justice is carried out. - establishes his gooness and sense of justice so that, by the end of the play, it is clear he is the best man to take over kingdom.

3. L has been humbled by circumstances and no longer demands or expects flattery. He is reluctant to let G kiss his hand: 'Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality."

4. Edg's continued care of Gl in battle scene - familial loyalty and good character - demonstrates kind of dutiful love that C continues to offer L.

5. mutual destruction of G & R - hatred and greed = each to be instrument of other's demise - S seems to be saying that a lack of loyalty to other humans will ultimately backfire.

6. France - loyalty to C as loves her for her honesty, and is not concerned for wealth: 'thou art most rich being poor'. - rhyming couplets = more memorable and romantic. - loyalty in terms of love.

7. Loyalty of G to L - got blinded as consequence as directed them to Dover to safety. - another example of punishment for loyalty and has been cast out like C & K.

   • Edg - 'Poor Tom' provides a character for L to sympathise with and he brings out his humanity and understanding. Edg also leads G to Dover and tricks him out of suicide - feels only sympathy C. Also defends G and kills Oswald, alerts Alb of G's adultery and slays his illegitimate brother Ed.
     • 'Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say' - moral of play?