Macchiavellian theories in “King Lear” Essay

William Shakespeargons magnate Lear has within it galore(postnominal) Machiavellian theories. This is perspicuous once we look the characters of Edmund, G starril, and Regan. The Machiavellian principles relating to politics, ethics, and moral excellence are exemplified throughout force Lear play by these 3 characters. Machiavellian politics deal with getting author and forming very strong governments. For Machiavelli, power meant politics. Ethics undersurface be scoop out described as a growth of knowledge concerned with moral principles. The paper of morality and ethics keeps evolving throughout King Lear and is demonstrated by these three characters. sexual morality is the final principle highlighted by this Shakespeare play. By examining each of the three characters in to a greater extent depth, we can better understand how Machiavellian theories apply to the play King LearEdmund is the virtu all(prenominal)y Machiavellian character in King Lear for m whatsoever r ea passwords. Edmund was born as illegitimated watchword of Gloucester. He had elder brother named Edgar who was legitimated son of Gloucester and belove suitable heir. Edmund shows his avarice, rapacity, and envy towards Edger. Edmund states monologue Thou, Nature, art my goddess to thy law, now, gods, stand up for bastards.(I, ii, 1-22) This shows that he blame the nature that he neer meant to born as an illegitimated, such as bastard son. He also decides that as concern everything think as a bastard, he will act as a bastard, the way of being Machiavellian as manipulating and taking advantage of others. peculiarly from the part of soliloquy, legitimate Edgar, I must(prenominal) have your land. (I, ii, 16) He is showing his green-eyed monster towards Edgar, and all that he has. Back in Shakespeares time, land professership was a form of wealthiness. Wealth equaled political power. getting political power is a Machiavellian trait.Edmund also criticized his paternity for being in like manner superstitious and gullible in nature. He ridiculed his father, Gloucester for his beliefs and he thought he was morally superior to him. Edmund exploited his fathers intelligent nature by enraging with Edgars false letter against his father. In a deceptive manner, Edmund, quite simply acted faker to Edgar. He tries to cover Edger, however deceiving some(prenominal) ends of his mouth between Gloucester and Edgar. Edmund acted in a two faced manner and this is genuine to the Machiavellian wayof doing things.There is one more than example of Edmunds Machiavellian behavior. In dissemble III, we are heart-to-heart to Edmunds treacherous tendency against his own father. Edmund states, The younger rise when the onetime(a) doth die(III, iii, 26) it is clear that Edmund wished to take over and dissemble power over his fathers domain. Edmund is seeking power that Macchivelli often wrote about. The greed in acquiring power is all right if the end skilfulifies the means. In Act V, Edger, Edmunds brother, also a dupe of Edmunds Machiavellian tendencies revenge on Edmund and murdered him.Along with Edmund, Goneril is also a nonher(prenominal) character in the play, which exemplifies immoral and unvirtuous behavior. Goneril utilize 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 more I love you.(I, i, 57-64) She wanted to get her fathers kingdom. Goneril had an ulterior power for acting this way to achieve 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 word 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 dust which the yokelish wind blows in your face.(IV, ii, 30-31) Furthermore for Gonerils love of Edmund, she poisoned her own baby, Regan to eliminate from him. At the end of the play, these Machiavellian traits and characteristics brought her to this point of felo-de-se and suicide.Regan is the next character who also showed Machiavellian behavior in her personality. She flattered her father just like Goneril did. I am make of that self mettle as my sisters, In your Highness love(I, i, 71-79) She had an ulterior condition to in praising and flattering her father. analogous her deceptive sister Goneril, Regan wanted the wealth and kingdom. It was more than she deserved. Regan cooperated thoroughly with Goneril to mistreat herfather with disrespect. Regan defends her sisters poor handling of her father to her father and informs her father that he is old and should be rule by others. She mentioned to him that return to Goneril and beg her Forgiveness. O, sir, you are old, plead you have wronged her.(II, iv, 145-151) This behavior is Machiave llian in nature, because it is immoral and unvirtuous. Regan also cheated on her husband, Cornwall. She loved Edmund 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 inhabit 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 news reports 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 at out for their own self-interest. They will do anything to achieve their greedy and selfish goals. mayhap it is truly ironic that the play does not have happy ending. Much can be learned by examining Machiavellian principals and th eories as they pertain to King Lear.