King Lear character traits
Storyboard Text
- King Lear is impulsive, unsympathetic, and quick-tempered. Through out the play, Lear behaves rashly. He does not think before he speaks and lets his anger get the best of him. Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again,"(I.1). King Lear says this quote to Cordelia, revealing that he is left sad and vulnerable after how straightforward she is when she expresses how much she loves him.
- King Lear
- Cordelia is passive, genuine, forgiving, and loyal. She does not use manipulation, unlike her sisters, for her personal benefit. " O dear father it is thy business that i go about"(IV.iv) Cordelia comes back after she was banished. Although her father banished her, she still loves him and does not plan on taking out any revenge.
- Cordelia
- Goneril and Regan are both ruthless, aggressive, and amoral characters. They use manipulation to achieve their goals and desires. In some way, they represent evil in the story. “I love you more than eyesight, space, and freedom, beyond wealth or anything of value” (I.i). Regan and Goneril both are disloyal and let their desire for power overcome their family devotion. They are selfish and do not feel any remorse or regret.
- Goneril and Regan
- Edmund is a Machiavellian character. He is manipulative, tactless, and amoral. He illudes others into believing that he is loyal, when he is doing the opposite, which is being deceitful and disloyal. His actions benefit only himself. "I have heard him oft maintain it to be fit that, sons at perfect age and fathers declined, the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage the revenue" (I.ii.71-4). Edmund tells lies about Edgar to Gloucester so that he would be seen as loyal and able to inherit the power, instead of Edgar.
- Edmund
- Gloucester is more of an easy-going character who is not overly intelligent. He easily believes Edmund's lies and starts question his own son. "As flies to wanton boys we are to godsThey kill us for their sport"(IV.i.) Gloucester begins the play making jokes about his son, Edmund, presenting himself as a lighthearted character. His blindness to Edmund's feelings leads him to go blind and his downfall.
- Gloucester
- The Duke of Cornwall is a violent, aggressive, and cruel character. “It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is not in the contents"(I.II). Edgar is an easily going and manipulative character like his father. He allows himself to be tricked by Edmund,who does not favor him because Edgar is allowed to inherit land.
- Edgar and Cornwall
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