The character of Edmund in Shakespeare’s King Lear a complex antagonist whose quest for power, and the treatment he deserves from society fuels the subplot. Cunning, deceitful, and a villain, Edmund will do whatever it takes to achieve his objectives, even if it means betraying the people who love him most. Edmund plays a key role in setting the stage for the disaster waiting to unfold, which is the subplot. Initially, the audience sympathizes with Edmund’s character; society treats him poorly, and his own father publicly embarrasses him. In Act 1 Scene 1, when Kent asks Gloucester if Edmund is his Gloucester’s son, he replies “his breeding hath been at my charge” (1.1.9) yet Gloucester “blushed to acknowledge [Edmund]” (1.1.10).
Polonius is the first to declare him mad, and he thinks it is because Ophelia has repelled his love. He therefore reports to the king that "Your noble son is mad" (II.
How far was Alexander III a reactionary leader? Alexander was not prepared for the role of the Tsar, and so when his father died, he was thrust into a position of power, that he wasn’t ready for. He was a soldier, and because of this, was not trained for political meetings and hours of sitting in a chair, discussing the workings of a nation. Alexander made it clear that he didn’t want to be his father, and to do this, he needed to undo some of the things he did, and make changes to the country. Many criticised him for his personality, saying it overpowered his ability to think critically as a leader should, and lacked the education in subjects like economy.
His own brother, Clarence, and Warwick had overthrown Edward IV. So in 1483, after the death of his brother, Richard III had believed the stories of the Woodville’s plotting against him, and so he decided to act accordingly, his ‘spur of insecurity’ drove Richard III to take a risk. So it could be said that his insecurities were a result of his early years, and the experiences he had been
The death of one’s father and a ghostly visitation thereafter are events that would challenge the sanity of anyone. The circumstances of King Hamlet’s death render it especially traumatic. The late King seemed to be an idol to his son; Hamlet looked up to him and aspired to have the same qualities. Hamlet doesn't like King Claudius and sees him as a swindling usurper who has stolen not only the dead King’s throne, but Hamlet’s as well(2.4). Hamlet shows Gertrude that she has lowered her standards by marrying Claudius, When he refers to old Hamlet as, “A combination and a form indeed / Where every god did seem to set his seal” (3.4.55-61).
Iago’s jealousy is fuelled by Othello, who does not give him the position of lieutenant in favour of Cassio. Iago uses the metaphor of ‘price’ – or cost – in the quote “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” to complain that he has been deprived of his true worth. However, the chaos and tragedy that follows has been made much more probable in ‘O’ by changing character’s relationships and position. This is conveyed through two new situations. Firstly, Hugo – acting as Iago – is the son of Duke, and to his distress hears his father say about Odin; ‘I love him like he’s my own son.’ The use of emotive language amplifies Hugo’s jealousy towards Odin and is further reinforced when Odin awards Casio the position of co-MVP.
The Declaration of Independence persuaded other colonist to separate from England, to stand against the King, and to fight for independence. The reasons colonist wanted to revolt against England were mostly because of the King and how selfish and unfair he was. Colonist believed all men were created equal, so therefore when the King put himself above everyone else, it displeased the colonist. In the Declaration of Independence it states “He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” Colonist used the selfish things the King did to persuade others to revolt. The King tried to force men to give up their rights to make laws.
The ongoing conflicts between a few of the characters contradicts the overarching Elizabethan concept of the Chain of Being since everyone has a rightful place and if they fall out of place, things will be in turmoil which is seen at the beginning of the play. There is constant conflict between the brothers and Oliver who “hates nothing more than” his younger brother and hopes to “see an end of him” which demonstrates the separation between the two. Similarly, Duke Frederick banished his brother and taken his brother’s throne that did not rightfully belong to him and “natural order” became disrupted. On the other hand, Rosalind and Celia who are cousins happen to have a more intimate relationship where Celia “loves” and “cannot live out of” Rosalind’s “company”,
This made Charles resentful because parliament had demanded the war and because all other monarchs had been granted tonnage and poundage for life. This was an origin of the civil war because it was the first sign of resentment. In 1626 matter grew worse as parliament attempted to impeach the royal favourite, Buckingham. Charles saved Buckingham by dissolving parliament, but that meant he did not get his subsidies that had been left in committee whilst impeachment was debated. Also Charles had been accused in this parliament of ‘pricking sheriffs’, which was a cause of the civil war because it made him look untrustworthy.
He sins against his whole family and by thinking that love can be quantified. And as it turns out, Lear isn’t only separating his family but power and responsibility as well. His very unpredictable, easily aggravated temper causes him to act wrongly and irrationally towards Cordelia, his favorite daughter who, he believes has betrayed her. Lear cannot understand that anyone’s, let alone his daughter’s, love for him could be ‘nothing’. I think pride, anger and greed for power prompted Lear to make the decision of giving up the kingdom to his malicious, hateful and ungrateful daughters, Regan and Cordelia.