King Lear: The Use Of Letters Essay, Research Paper

King Lear: The Use of Letters

William Shakespeare used letters as a dramatic device to reveal the

characters’ loyalty and betrayal in his play King Lear. The purpose of the

letter is to develop the plot and reveal the characters’ attributes. Three

letters help to develop the plot and reveal the characters of Edmund, Gloucester,

Goneril and Albany.

The first letter that appeared on the stage is Edmund’s false letter.

The letter talked about Edgar’s plan to kill to his father, Gloucester. Edmund

made up this letter to plan against his brother Edgar. Edmund lied to

Gloucester about the letter. This letter developed the subplot in King Lear and

it shows us that Edmund betrayed his brother. Edmund planned to destroy the

love of Gloucester for Edgar, so Edmund can get what he wants. This false

letter revealed that Edmund wasn’t loyal to his family and he betrayed his

brother.

Another important letter that appeared on the stage is talking about

French invasion. This letter was written to Gloucester. Gloucester decided to

help Lear after he read the letter. Gloucester worried about Lear and this

revealed Gloucester ?s loyalty to the old king. Gloucester told his decision to

Edmund after Gloucester finished the letter. Edmund decided to tell Cornwall

about Gloucester ?s action. Edmund told Cornwall that his father was traitor

who wanted to help France. Edmund did this to receive more power and get the

credit from Duke of Cornwall. The action of Edmund displayed that he would do

anything to get higher rank. He even betrayed his father who is horribly

punished. Edmund becomes the Earl of Gloucester. Edmund had no loyalty to his

father. In Act III, the letter was in Albany’s hand. Albany chose to fight the

French army and that showed his loyalty to England.

The last letter on the stage talked about the plan of murder Albany. It

was written by Goneril to Edmund. Goneril didn’t love her husband and planned

to kill him. Goneril wanted Edmund to be her husband. The letter proved that

Goneril was going to betray her husband, Albany. This also means she would

betray their marriage.

In King Lear, letters developed the story and displayed the characters’

loyalty or betrayal. Edmund’s false letter showed the betrayal between brothers.

Edmund used the letter about French invasion to get higher rank by betray his

father, Gloucester. Gloucester decided to help Lear once he knew of the

invasion. Albany would fight for England even he knew the army trying to rescue

Lear. Goneril sent a letter about the betrayal of Albany, her husband. The

actions and reactions of the characters had showed their loyalty and betrayal

when there is a letter in King Lear.