King Lear: Analyzing Key Speeches for Themes of Authority and Betrayal

This essay provides a speech analysis of William Shakespeare's King Lear, focusing on key themes and character development. The analysis begins by examining King Lear's initial speech, highlighting the theme of authority and how his decisions set the stage for tragedy. It further explores Edmund's speech in Act I, Scene 1, dissecting his manipulative nature and the themes of betrayal and deception. The essay references Shakespeare's text to support its analysis, providing a modern interpretation of Edmund's soliloquy. The study concludes by emphasizing Edmund's ambitious and opportunistic character, as well as his uncharacteristic behavior at the play's end. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments for students.

Running head: KING LEAR: SPEECH ANALYSIS
King Lear: Speech Analysis
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1KING LEAR: SPEECH ANALYSIS
King Lear is believed to be one of the greatest tragic creation of William Shakespeare.
Influenced by the legend of the Leir of Britain, Shakespeare portrayed a King’s gradual
decline to insanity in his tale of corruption, chaos and treachery. In the opening act and scene
of the play, King Lear finds himself in a situation when he decides to retire to enjoy rest and
peace in his old age, and pass the throne to the next generation (Shakespeare 10). In this
situation, he realises that he needs to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in order
to avoid conflict and hostility. Further, he finds it is crucial for him to marry his youngest
daughter Cordelia before his retirement. Lear’s mental state in this is stable, as in his mind he
is still the powerful king. In his speech, authority is the notable theme, as King Lear
authoritative decision puts the lives of every character in jeopardy and creates the pathway
for utter disaster. Although Cordelia has been his favourite daughter, Cordelia’s answer of
how much she love his father makes Lear enraged and his feelings towards Cordelia changes
as he disinherits her.
In the last first scene of the last act, Edmund finds himself in dilemmatic situation
between the elder daughters of Lear – Goneril and Regan (Shakespeare 232-233). His
quandary is whether to choose Goneril or Regan, or both as his partner. Edmund
demonstrates a mind full of malice and lust for power in his speech. His plot to use the sisters
for his personal benefits not only depicts his malice but also his cunning and cruel nature.
The theme of this speech is evidently betrayal and deception. In order to gain power, Edmund
decided to use the power of Albany to win the battle and kill Lear and Cordelia. As the prime
antagonist of the tale, Edmund’s character throughout the play, develops to be ambitious,
manipulative and opportunistic. However, at the end of the act, Edmund demonstrates
uncharacteristic behaviour by trying to save Lear and Cordelia.
The modern interpretation of Edmund’s speech – I have sworn my love to both of
these sisters. They’re jealous of each other like poisonous snakes. Which one of them should

2KING LEAR: SPEECH ANALYSIS
I pick? Both? One? Neither? I cannot enjoy either of them as long as the other one is alive.
Goneril would be mad at me if I choose Regan over her, but it would be hard to get in with
Goneril while her husband is still alive. I shall use Albany’s power and authority for now to
win the war, but afterward one of the sisters, whichever one wishes to, can get rid of him.
Albany wants to spare the lives of Lear and Cordelia, but once they are my prisoners after the
war, they would not stay alive long enough to see his pardon. I have to defend my position
with by taking actions, not words.

3KING LEAR: SPEECH ANALYSIS
References
Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy Of King Lear". Folgerdigitaltexts.Org, 2018,
https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/download/pdf/Lr.pdf. Accessed 24 Sept 2018.