Natural vs. Unnatural in Shakespeare´s King Lear - 879 Words

In Shakespeares famous tragedy King Lear, the parallel between natural and unnatural occurrences unifies the plot while further developing and foreshadowing the conflicts in the play. Lears resignation from the throne and his method of distributing the land, as well as the unnaturalness of Gloucesters and Edmunds situation, brings turmoil and tragedy to a society based on natural order. From the physical works of nature such as the storm in the third act to the variety of unnatural politics, it all comes together to cause ultimate chaos in the kingdom. Even in the first act, the parallel between natural and unnatural is apparent. In the opening scene, King Lear says, â€Å"Which of you shall we say doth love us most?/That we our largest bounty may extend/Where nature doth with merit challenge.† Here, he is implying that by nature, his daughters should love him with all their heart, even more than they love their husbands. However, while two of his daughters profess their love to him, Cordelia does not, causing King Lear to call her a â€Å"wretch whom nature is ashamed†. The unnatural politics between King Lear and his daughters foreshadow the terrible consequences that they will later face. In the same act, Gloucesters illegitimate son Edmund expresses his acidity toward his brother, and how he intends to act on it, saying, â€Å" Well, then,/Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land:/Our fathers love is to the bastard Edmund/As to the legitimate: fine word,--legitimate!†