Justice in William Shakespeares King Lear Essay -- William Shakespear

legal expert in William Shakespeares King LearThe question of the origin of true, virtuous, and impartial justice has plagued human beings over the millennia and continues to do so today. In Shakespeares King Lear ii potential forms of justice predominate human examination through outpouring and divine supernatural recourse. Both systems emerge fundament eithery blemish in practice, however, and by the end of the do work a mankind of unjust booby hatch reigns supreme. Over the course of three trials, Lears daughters competing for his love, the blinding of Gloucester by Cornwall and Regan, and Lears imagined cross-examination of Goneril and Regan, Shakespeare strikingly illustrates the concept that human justice is intrinsicly blind and the charge of faith in the divine intervention of the goods is hopeless na old hand. Mans justice is profoundly corrupted by the stain of human nature and shrouded by the inherent vices of avarice and jealousy. The theme of flawed justice arising from defective character is demonstrated from the very out crop of the play with King Lears demand that his three daughters compete for his love and estate. Certainly, any(prenominal) father that actively encourages sibling rivalry and so clearly plays favorites, as shown when he laments over Cordelia I loved her most and thought to set my rest / on her kind nursery (1.1.137-38), has something drastically wrong with his mindset. Thus, Shakespeare utilizes the system of Lears flawed character to reveal the detrimental effect liberal human nature can have on the issuing of justice. Shakespeare does so in including the senseless decree that Lear rashly issues the virtuous Cordelia and loyal Kent shall be banished, and Lears kingdom should be ... ...Lear states, Through tattered clothes low vices do appear. / Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, / And the strong transmit of justice heartless breaks (4.6.180-83). Thus, only through madne ss is Lear able to mark the rampant abundance of injustice present in the world caused by the abuse and negligence of the wealthy in power. The errant trials of King Lear all serve to illustrate the concept that human justice is inherently vitiate by the natural human tendency to abuse power for egotistical means. Furthermore, characters such as Gloucester who maintain a persistent faith in the divine justice of the gods are seen as fools in a world where the innocent are senselessly taken advantage of and ultimately killed. Thus, it seems that until the essential vices of human nature are eliminated, justice will remain shrouded, and wickedness will reign.