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Theme Of Nature In Shakespeare's King Lear

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Nature as a motif in William Shakespeare 's King Lear King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in between 1603 and 1606. The protagonist, King Lear, descends into madness after disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters (Goneril and Regan) based on their flattery, which brought tragic consequences for all. The themes of the tragedy are many, including appearance versus reality, justice, compassion and reconciliation and the natural order. However, one of the largest themes is nature. The motif of nature plays an important role in King Lear, both literally and metaphorically, and can be recognized as the main motif because of the author 's utilization of it in order to support the themes and other motifs, such as madness, parent/child relationship, and the social order ordained by nature. The author uses the storm in order to show the confusion that occurs both outside the castle walls and inside the King 's head. Shakespeare is using the …show more content…

Because he took care of them and raised them, Lear naturally deserves from them good treatment. Therefore it is unnatural the way Lear 's daughters go against the social structure of treating parents right and disrespect him. Shakespeare utilizes these social standards being broken in order to show how unjust and unnatural it is to go against the natural order. Also, in Gonerail 's castle after Lear is thrown out, Lear calls to the goddess nature to make her barren. He is making a vow to nature and he is putting nature above everything like a goddess. In terms of social order, nature is at the top. " It may be so, my lord. Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful!..."(Act I, Scene IV, Line 271-286). Not only the mad king refers to the nature as the highest authority, but Gloucester does so as well, when calling upon the nature to bring the justice, which is

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