Essays and Research Papers on King Lear

A 5 page research paper that analyzes the action in Act 3, scene 4 of King Lear. The writer argues that an examination of this scene reveals the various ways in which Shakespeare manipulated language, used the stage movement of the characters and also employed visual and oral effects in order to capitalize on ...

A 5 page paper which examines how although terrible events occur within that could not be more pathetic, the play is not a depressing experience. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the extent to which Shakespeare subscribes to Machiavellian ideas in this tragedy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

An eight page paper comparing Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare’s King Lear in terms of their development of the tragic hero. The paper concludes that the way Shakespeare has developed his hero also owes much to the influence of Sophocles and Greek tragedy. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the relationship between the human side and the authority side of Lear’s character, and evaluates the contradictions that propel the play’s tragedy. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A six page paper looking at these two interrelated themes in Shakespeare's classic tragedy. The paper traces the recurring motif of disguise in the play and shows how it can be used aggressively, to harm or conquer, or defensively, to protect oneself from attack. No additional sources.

A 4 page paper which examines how these values influenced the ‘truth’ of each work. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page essay that discusses the foolishness of King Lear's actions in abdicating his throne and banishing Cordelia. This examination of the structure of this play demonstrates how Shakespeare charts Lear's emotional decline and, eventually, obtainment of enlightenment, due to the ramifications of his fateful decision. No additional sources cited.

In eight pages this paper analyzes the importance of the Fool character to William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear with an assessment of three critics’ opinions along with personal observations about the character’s significance. Four sources are listed in the bibliography.

6 pages in length. An analytical look at the specific importance of taking a breath in Shakespeare's "King Lear." Using several instances from the play -- as well as quotes from others -- the writer highlights Shakespeare's purposeful use of this otherwise common human activity. Bibliography lists 4 supporting sources.

This 5 page report discusses Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and the fact that it serves as one of his darkest tragedies in terms of the madness, intrigue, and political warfare that takes place in the context of the rule of just one man. Every audience, in every age, has found some unique aspect of the play that allows them to ...

A 7 page paper which specifically examines how Lear is to blame for the tragedies which befall him; how Lear's suffering forces him to change and show pity; the point at which Lear discovers who really loves him; how the Gloucester/Edmund/Edgar subplot parallels the primary plot of Lear and his daughters; what Lear learns with ...

A 4 page paper which discusses the character of the fool in King Lear. The foundation of the discussion is that of the fool having been referred to as 'the uncanniest character in Shakespeare.' This is analyzed as well as the incident of the fool leaving halfway through the story, never to appear again. The paper utilizes the ...

A 5 page paper which examines whether Shakespeare’s “King Lear” can offer the feminist reader anything more than restricted pleasure in reading or viewing. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 5 page paper on disguises and deception in Shakespeare's play. The writer details the use of both physical and emotional disguises by the characters, and how this works to advance the plot and also to describe characters. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 2 1/2 page paper which examines whether the ending of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” is in favor of Christian doctrine or not. No additional sources cited.

(5 pp) In the modern world would we blame an eighty- year old man for much of anything? We might say, to ourselves, he didn't know what he was doing, he's old, forget it. Such were not the lessons that Shakespeare wanted to impress on us with the story of King Lear. ...

This 4 page paper examines the William Shakespeare play, King Lear in terms of how it inherently attempts to answer the question, "What is man?"

A 10 page paper analyzing the twin plots and three character groupings in Shakespeare's play. The paper shows that each of Lear's characters has some goodness (or at least a readily-understood motivation for his misdeeds), and that it takes mitigating circumstances to bring out his or her wicked behavior. Thus, King Lear's Britain is not ...

A 4 page paper which examines Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and illustrates how King Lear is a tragedy in many different ways. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

A 4 page paper which examines the theme of sacrifice in Shakespeare’s King Lear and Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A five page paper which considers the ways in which the attributes and problems of old age in modern society are dealt with in Shakespeare’s King Lear, both in terms of the character of Lear himself and his interaction with his family. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page essay that analyzes Act II, scene iv, lines 266-288, in which King Lear addresses his daughters in a speech where the reader/audience not only discern Lear's frustration and anger at not having his will obeyed, but also hear his mounting desperation and fear. While, on the surface, the dispute covered in this ...

A 10 page research paper concerning conditional and unconditional love as shown by the characters in Shakespeare's play. The writer argues a relevant thesis and details the nature of types of love and how each character exemplifies it, with emphasis upon Lear and Cordelia. Bibliography lists 7 sources. Kinglea

A 5 page analysis of the development of Lear's own character. The writer demonstrates how the play chronicles Lear's growth until his suffering is made complete by his realization of the part he played in his own downfall and the tragedy in general. No additional sources cited.