Essay on Importance of Nothing in Shakespeares King Lear

Importance of Nothing in William Shakespeares King Lear The Tragedy of King Lear has many important themes. One major theme concerns nothing. The main focus around the discussion of nothing is that nothing is a many things. Nothing is what binds everything. The first mention of nothing is when King Lear asks his daughters to profess how much they love him. The eldest daughters shower compliments upon him tickling his ears. Yet the Lears favorite daughter Cordelia will only speak the truth. When asked what she can say to gain her a portion of land better than her sisters, she replies, Nothing, my Lord (1.1. ) He exclaims, Nothing! (1.1. ) and she responds, Nothing (1.1. ). Lears answers, Nothing will come of†¦show more content†¦Then he asks Lear, Can you make no use of nothing, nuncle (1.4. )? This question should prod Lear to think of his earlier mistake of making a big ordeal out of Cordelias nothing. Ironically he responds, nothing can be made out of nothing (1.4. ), echoing what he said to Cordelia in 1.1. The Fool then tells Kent to tell him so much the rent of his land comes to (1.4. ). The answer to this, of course, would be nothing. The King has given all his land to Goneril and Regan. After Goneril walks into the room, he tells Lear thou art an O without a figure (1.4. ). An O without a figure would be a zero. Thus the Fool tells Lear that he is nothing. He continues by saying straightforwardly, I am a Fool, thou art nothing (1.4. ). Remarks like this provide ample opportunity for Goneril to rebuke Lear for having an all licensd Fool (1.4. ). In addition, the Fool calls Lear a sheald peascod (1.4. ). This is another way of saying he is empty. He is nothing. These remarks provide a theme continuing throughout the story. The main theme is that nothing is what binds everything together. If Cordelia had not responded nothing then the King would be happy. He would have moved in with Cordelia and she would have supported him. Moreover, Cordelia would have kept her portion and would have married the Duke Burgundy. Thus, her nothing changed everything. In addition, this nothing gives the play comic relief. The FoolShow MoreRelatedLear and Family Essay973 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Family Family is what defines ones character and identity. Shakespeares tragic play, King Lear, presents a ruling family and how its members relationships affect one another. The crumbling relationship between King Lear and his daughters exemplifies his struggle to maintain his role in his family and his identity within the state. Lear explains that human nature is marked by a desire for more than just the necessities one already has. Lear needs more than theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Lear971 Words   |  4 PagesKing Lear Exam Question In all genres there are stereotypical elements. 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