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.
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