Family Relationships In King Lear

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. In King Lear by William Shakespeare, there are many different types of family relationships. Both King Lear and the earl Gloucester, are ignorant fathers who are blind to the foul deeds of their own children and cannot see truth. All the members of both families play roles during different parts of the play, either to seek truth or to get ahead at others’ expense. King Lear, who is the main focus of the play, is the most stubborn of all the characters. Lear is seen through much of the play as the king in search of knowledge, who does not know himself. He has been so accustomed to having people tell him what he wants to hear, that when his youngest daughter tells him the truth, he cannot handle it. He thinks she is an ungrateful child that does not love him. On the other hand, his two eldest daughters who know exactly how to cater to him to get what they want, smother him with false praise and admiration. As they play continues, he begins to find that his two daughters are just after his money and that he has been blind to his own madness. Finally, by the end of the play he takes on the role of the repentant father asking for forgiveness, and redeems himself by accepting his daughter and being truthful to himself. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? I am mightily abused; I should e’en die with pity To see another thus. I know not what to say. I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see. I feel this pinprick. Would I were assured Of my condition! … If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know you do not love me, for your sisters Have, as I remember, done me wrong. You have some cause; they have not. (Act IV, Scene vii, Lines 59- 64, 81- 85) Lear admits that he has been lost. He says he is old, tired, and exhausted from life. He has a sort of symbolical and intellectual awakening. He feels wronged and deceived and would like to know

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