King Lear

Over the last few weeks, my AP Lit class has been reading Shakespeare's King Lear in class, and it ties very well into my big question of whether or not facing adversity and/or failure strengthens an individual or hinders their potential. On example being found in the character whom the novel is named after, King Lear. Lear naively gives up his power and authority to Regan and Gonneril, only for them to plot his downfall. He is shocked at their assertion for independence after he gave them everything they had. Lear realizes his stupidity soon enough. His retirement starts a series of conflicts that lead the whole country to civil war. Two of Lear's own children turn against him, and Lear goes mad and wanders around in a thunderstorm, shouting at the sky. In some sense, what happens to Lear is tragic. He ends up suffering in ways that elderly people are not supposed to. Worst of all, Lear is betrayed by his own flesh and blood. Yet Lear also experiences an incredible transformation. Through adversity, Lear gains a new perspective on life. He rejects power and politics and decides that what really matters is being with the people he loves. For the first time, Lear also feels sympathy for the hardship undergone by others – especially the homeless that wander about the kingdom. His strange journey makes Lear a much better person. Clearly Lear's encounter with adversity has strengthened him as an individual. He has a heightened sense of moral awareness and he also undergoes self- enlightenment. Even though he dies in the end, it is a Shakespearean tragedy after all, Lear has benefited from the trials and adversity he has run into.