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Foreshadowing
Act 1, scene 1
Explanation and Analysis:
King Lear is a tragedy and shares many similarities with the other Shakespearean tragedies. First and foremost, Shakespeare builds the narrative around a single prominent figure (the titular King Lear), who serves as the tragic hero of the play. Generally speaking, a tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw, or some defining weakness that will eventually lead to his downfall. In King Lear, Lear’s tragic flaw is his considerable pride and vanity. His obsession with his own reputation and stature leads him to conduct the “love trial” of his daughters so that he can decide how to divide his kingdom.
Act 5, scene 3
Explanation and Analysis:
King Lear is a tragedy and shares many similarities with the other Shakespearean tragedies. First and foremost, Shakespeare builds the narrative around a single prominent figure (the titular King Lear), who serves as the tragic hero of the play. Generally speaking, a tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw, or some defining weakness that will eventually lead to his downfall. In King Lear, Lear’s tragic flaw is his considerable pride and vanity. His obsession with his own reputation and stature leads him to conduct the “love trial” of his daughters so that he can decide how to divide his kingdom.
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