King Lear: Motifs


Shakespeare uses many motifs to expand on the themes of the story. His most-used
motif revolves around filial responsibility. Each of the two plots contains
characters who betray their fathers. Goneril and Regan flatter their father,
King Lear, and then betray him. The drastic change that occurred in their
attidtude towards their father is clearly evident through Goneril's speech
before:

"Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; Dearer than eye-sight,
space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; No less than life,
with grace, health, beauty, honour; As much as child e'er loved, or father
found; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Beyond all manner of so
much I love you." (Act I, Sc i, Ln 57-63) and after she had been
allotted one half of the kingdom: "'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from
rest, And must needs taste his folly." (Act II, Sc ii, Ln
289-290)

They both were interested only in getting Lear's......

Join Now to view the rest of this term paper!
Members: Login to view this research paper.

Title: King Lear: Motifs
Approximate Word Count: 525
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

With the Term Papers Lab Membership Pass, you get instant access to every essay on this site, including this essay on King Lear: Motifs, for as long as you remain a member.

Other essays sites charge almost $100 for a single term paper. At Term Papers Lab, you can get instant access to over 100,000 research papers for as little as $29.95!