There is one constant throughout the ongoing evolution of the human species. Simply because it is human nature, people are motivated by money and power. King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, is a nihilistic story of destruction, money, and power conflicts that was originally performed in 1606. The play’s central issue is the connection between wealth and personal value. The interests of everyone in this setting are dominated by money or commerce from the very first sentence to the very last. Shakespeare pushed this narrative to its logical conclusion, laying the groundwork for the poor’s civic insurrection in a society rife. It does, however, have significant ramifications for the discussion of money and its connection, as well as having an impact on regular financial choices.
The three daughters’ split of money and authority with their spouses suggests a loss of money and power, which eventually suggests a conflict in the relationship. The play encourages us to appreciate the great value of unity, and an undivided kingdom in this way. It became a vivid illustration of how to make an uneven choice while making crucial financial decisions. Even though Shakespeare was using extreme examples, I can agree with him in the appropriateness of using them, since it suited play the best and underlined the topic addressed. However, these computations and plotting only occur at the most high-level social levels. People who belong to the same political and economic interest group experience them. The discovery that fragmentation is more real and typical in this kingdom than harmony and peace, however, is brought about by the very divide. In his statement that they are “imperfections of long-established circumstances, but at the same time rebellious willfulness,” Goneril stresses this (Shakespeare 276). It is obvious that this has always been the case, not merely the outcome of the split.
Eventually, envy and wrath take over each character’s connection with the other. Lear passes away from sadness because of Cordelia being put to death. Out of jealousy for Edmund, Goneril poisons Regan. Anguished, Albany, Edgar, and Kent, one of King Lear’s nobles, are left to rule the nation alone after the deaths of all the key characters. All the machinations and fighting to get wealthy has led to “the burden of this sorrowful period, which we must surrender to” (Shakespeare 291). The narrative itself served as a powerful illustration of the havoc and ruin that money and greed can bring about when they rule a relationship. As a bright representation of Shakespeare examples, similar situation occurred to my acquaintances when debt and greed ruined longstanding friendships. This essentially shows that Shakespeare was right in drawing such parallels between riches and devastation.
Shakespeare represents the loss and acquisition of power in King Lear by using the emblem of money and riches. This illustrates the notion that those who do not deserve authority will usurp it and bring about mayhem. People who deserve power, on the other hand, make use of it to counteract the harmful impacts on others. These circumstances lead to various forms of interactions between various individuals. The hunger for money ruins everything, bringing about turmoil and death, much like an unhealthy connection between a monarch and his daughters. Similar situation occurred to my acquaintance as well, when he went to abandon family, friends, and their troubles in order to amass wealth. Lear could have been able to agreeably divide his fortune amongst his daughters, but instead, he allowed his conceit to cloud his judgment. Eventually, his moral and financial judgments were driven by fear, ego, and self-absorption. As a result, riches have become a cause of tension and sorrow.
In the play, Shakespeare thoroughly addressed the relationship between money and people. I agree with his representation of the topic and the emphasis on how devastating it can be and what are the consequences. Regardless of the time when it was written, these relations have repercussions even today. Ultimately, it is engraved in human nature to strive for wealth and power.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. King Lear. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1877.