Reason in madness, madness in reason; this double paradox is used throughout
Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, and demonstrates the downfall of both the King and
a family of greatness. Lear’s family and kingdom demonstrate a parallel as they are
torn apart and conflicts arise immediately.
When a person unfit to lead is given power, chaos will ensue, and this is precisely
what happens in the play. To reiterate, the paradox explains how the sane
characters act with insanity, and the characters that have gone mad, show more
insight and act normal-minded. King Lear is a perfect example of a character that
reveals this double paradox to be true.
Before he goes mad, he banishes both Kent and Cordelia; however, during his lapse
insanity, he sees the error of his ways and grows as a King and as a father.
In the beginning, Lear displays perhaps one of his most fatal errors in the entire play.
When Cordelia refuses to lie as her sisters did of her affection for him, he refuses to
have her in his kingdom. A quote from Act I shows Cordelia being honest to her
father.
“Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me…
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,
To love my father all.” (Act I, scene I )
Cordelia clearly explains that she will always be there for his father and that she
loves him as any true daughter should. Lear is so blind to Regan’s and Goneril’s
false love, that Cordelia’s affection seems to pale in comparison. He then divides his
land in two and gives each half to one of his unfaithful daughters. It is already clear
here, that he displays unclear and rash decision-making before he goes mad.
Any man fit to be King knows that a strong empire cannot be divided in two so easily
and keep its glory. Kent has witnessed Lear’s decision, and as his loyal friend tries to
help him understand his mistake before it is too late. Another quote from Act I has
Kent trying to reason with the King.
“Do, kill thy physician, and the fee bestow
Upon thy foul disease. Revoke thy gift,
Or whilst I can vent clamor from my throat,
I’ll tell thy dost evil.”(Act I, scene I)
Kent clearly asks him to take back his gift to both Albany and Cornwall, as he knows
it will be the demise of his kingdom. Lear will have none of this and quickly banishes
his most loyal friend, only reinforcing the idea that he is acting like a madman, while
he still has his sanity.
