Justice Must Prevail

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Justice Must Prevail “Justice: quality of being just; fairness; judicial proceedings; judge, magistrate.” (Canadian English Dictionary). Justice is essential in civil human society because it prevents chaos from breaking out. In the play, King Lear, justice can act as a shield that protects peoples’ rights, it can be used as a weapon that punishes the unjust and a tool that can maintain social order. The roles of justice are more important than those of mercy due to its ability to serve and protect civil human beings. Justice is an invisible shield that protects people’s rights from unjust acts. Without justice the weak are left unprotected from harm; just like poor old defenceless Lear, tossed out into the wilderness by his heartless daughters. “You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, / As full of grief as age, wretched in both. / If it be you thst stirs these daugthers’ heart / Against their father, fool me not so much...” (II vi 271-274). Lear is overwhelmed by grief from being betrayed by his daughters. Because Lear gave all control to his daughters, his ability to serve justice was gone. Without his power to serve justice, Lear cannot do much against his daughters’ wills. Justice must exist to shield defenceless people, like Lear, to prevent the people from abusing their powers. It can do this by acting as a weapon that punishes the unjust. Being unjust does not pay off. This is later learnt by Edmund the hard way, as he pays the ultimate price for his treachery. “Edgar: Let’s exchange charity. / I am no less in blood than thou art, / Edmund; If more, the more th’ hast wronged me... / Edmund: Th’ hast spoken right, ’tis true; / The wheel is come full circle; I am here.” (V iii 168-170, 175-176). In act 5, scene 3 Edmund is confronted by Edgar, who is determined to get his revenge for his father’s eyes and for his own misfortune. They both begin to
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