Macchiavellian theories in “King Lear” Essay

William Shakespe ares office Lear has at bottom it many Machiavellian theories. This is evident once we examine the characters of Edmund, Goneril, and Regan. The Machiavellian principles relating to politics, moral philosophy, and meritoriousness are exemplified through out(p) King Lear play by these collar characters. Machiavellian politics deal with acquiring actor and forming very strong governments. For Machiavelli, power meant politics. Ethics can be best described as a branch of knowledge concerned with moral principles. The Theme of morality and ethics keeps evolving throughout King Lear and is demonstrated by these three characters. Virtue is the final principle highlighted by this Shakespeare play. By examining each of the three characters in more depth, we can better understand how Machiavellian theories apply to the play King LearEdmund is the most Machiavellian character in King Lear for many reasons. Edmund was innate(p) as illegitimated son of Gloucester. He ha d elder brother named Edgar who was legitimated son of Gloucester and loved suitable heir. Edmund shows his avarice, greed, and envy towards Edger. Edmund states soliloquy Thou, Nature, art my goddess to thy law, now, gods, stand up for bastards.(I, ii, 1-22) This shows that he blame the constitution that he never meant to born as an illegitimated, much(prenominal) as bastard son. He also decides that as concern everything approximate as a bastard, he bequeath act as a bastard, the way of being Machiavellian as manipulating and taking advantage of others. in particular from the part of soliloquy, legitimate Edgar, I must have your basis. (I, ii, 16) He is demo his jealousy towards Edgar, and altogether that he has. Back in Shakespeares time, land deliverership was a form of wealth. Wealth equaled semipolitical power. Acquiring political power is a Machiavellian trait.Edmund also criticized his convey for being in like elan superstitious and gullible in nature. He ridi culed his father, Gloucester for his beliefs and he thought he was morally superior to him. Edmund exploited his fathers good nature by enraging with Edgars false letter against his father. In a cheapjack manner, Edmund, quite simply acted phony to Edgar. He tries to cover Edger, however deceiving two ends of his mouth between Gloucester and Edgar. Edmund acted in a two faced manner and this is true to the Machiavellian way of doing things.There is one more voice of Edmunds Machiavellian behavior. In Act III, we are exposed to Edmunds treacherous tendency against his take father. Edmund states, The younger rise when the old doth chance(III, iii, 26) it is clear that Edmund wished to take over and assume power over his fathers domain. Edmund is seeking power that Macchivelli often wrote some. The greed in acquiring power is all right if the end scarcelyifies the means. In Act V, Edger, Edmunds brother, also a victim of Edmunds Machiavellian tendencies revenge on Edmund an d murdered him.Along with Edmund, Goneril is also another character in the play, which exemplifies immoral and unvirtuous behavior. Goneril used flattery to get on the good side of her father. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter, Beyond all manner of so much I love you.(I, i, 57-64) She wanted to acquire her fathers kingdom. Goneril had an ulterior motive for acting this way to pass on any greedy goal. After she took advantage of her old father, she kicked her father out from her castle. This shows how she unvirtuous Machiavellian intervention to her father.There is the second example of Gonerils deceiving ways. Goneril cheated on her husband Albany. This is undoubtedly Machiavellian trait. Albany even detected Gonerils conniving deceptive behavior. He states You are not worth the ashes which the rude wind blows in your face.(IV, ii, 30-31) Furthermore for Gonerils love of Edmund, she poisoned her own sister, Regan to eliminate from him. At the end of the pla y, these Machiavellian traits and characteristics brought her to this point of self-destruction and suicide.Regan is the near character who also showed Machiavellian behavior in her personality. She flattered her father just like Goneril did. I am made of that self mettle as my sisters, In your Highness love(I, i, 71-79) She had an ulterior motive to in evaluate and flattering her father. Like her deceptive sister Goneril, Regan wanted the wealth and kingdom. It was more than she deserved. Regan cooperated thoroughly with Goneril to mistreat her father with disrespect. Regan defends her sisters poor treatment of her father to her father and informs her father that he is old and should be manage by others. She mentioned to him that return to Goneril and beg her Forgiveness. O, sir, you are old, Say you have wronged her.(II, iv, 145-151) This behavior is Machiavellian in nature, because it is immoral and unvirtuous. Regan also cheated on her husband, Cornwall. She loved Edmun d as her sister Goneril did. She informed her sister that she would merry Edmund as soon as her husband died, however Regan was poisoned by Goneril. This shows that how the last become to the Machiavellian who looks for their own profit, and their Machiavellian personalities bring themselves into their own grave.It is clearly evident that the Machiavellian themes are prevalent by the words and actions of Edmund, Goneril, and Regan. The theory of acquiring power, ethics, morality, and virtue that Macchiavelli wrote about is a common theme in William Shakespeares King Lear. The three characters previously mentioned are all looking out for their own self-interest. They will do anything to achieve their greedy and selfish goals. Perhaps it is truly juiceless that the play does not have happy ending. Much can be learned by examining Machiavellian principals and theories as they pertain to King Lear.