This is a essay about Justice in King Lear, we are supposed to describe why is justice important for a civilized world.
This is what i got so far, Any help is appreciated. thanks :D
Justice in King Lear
Justice is the principle of moral rightness and equity, and the administration of deserved punishment or reward. It restores order and prevents chaos; a world without justice would be disorganized, and lack basic safety and peace. Achieving justice, however, is not an easy task. William Shakespeare's King Lear, which takes place in a disordered and chaotic world, is filled with cruelty, madness, and death, whether it is Cordelia's banishment, Edmund's evil plans, or Gloucester's torture. The villains ruled when the world lacks justice, and gets their deserved punishment when justice returns. Emphasizing the fact that justice is fundamental to a peaceful and ordered world.
Lack of justice is clearly seen through the tragic hero King Lear. In the beginning of the play, we see Lear, the proud and self-centered king, make his first major mistake. Instead of being fair and just when splitting the kingdom, he decides to value appearances above reality. He wants his daughters to publicly say flattering things to him instead of judging them on their abilities, which is seen when he says "which of you shall we say doth love us most?" (1.1.49) On top of that, his inability to see the truth results in him making an unjust decision towards Cordelia and Kent. He is unable to realize the amount love that Cordelia expresses when she says in contrast to the empty and meaningless words from Goneril and Regan "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave/ My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty/ According to my bond; no more nor less." (I. i. 93-95). Lear, long used to the flattery of sycophants, the special privileged accorded to the powerful, and the empty formalities of kingship, will not accept the seeming impudence of simple affection. He simply assumes that his daughter is heartless and ungrateful, and disowns her unjustly. Lear also fails to think logically when making unprejudiced decision when Kent disagrees with Lear and objects his decision. These unjust decisions set the plot of the play and are the cause to all of the tragic and horrific events that follow.
The lack of justice in this world is also seen through Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester. He is the main antagonist of the play, and is very ambitious. He plans out every single detail in order to achieve what he wants. His plans are not in any way just or ethical, and caused moral decline and chaos in society. Edmund is angry for the unjust treatment that he is getting from society with his status as a bastard; which is the main reason for his desire for power - to prove himself useful. This is seen when he says
"My services are bound. Wherefore should IStand in the plague of custom, and permitThe curiosity of nations to deprive me,For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshinesLag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?... Edmund the base Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper.Now, gods, stand up for bastards!" (I. ii. 2-22)
Although he wishes for the gods to stand up for bastards, he takes things into his own hands. Edmund commits many crimes throughout King Lear and repeatedly exhibits disloyalty to achieve his goals. Not only is Edmund the underlying reason as to why his brother Edgar is banished, he is also responsible for the death of Lear's beloved daughter Cordelia. His actions force Lear, Cordelia, Edgar, and Gloucester into great despair and made the country disorganized. In the end, however, Edmund dies after battling his disguised brother Edgar, this is seen when Edgar says "My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. / The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices/ Make instruments to plague us." (V. iii, 4) He tries to redeem himself in the end as he attempts to save Cordelia, but it was not enough to cover all his crimes, and he receives his appropriate punishment.
Although many characters in Shakespeare's tragedy are horrible people who deserve their punishments, Gloucester's punishment is certainly not appropriate for his crime. Similar to King Lear, his mistake was that he mistreats his loyal child and favors the evil one. He was blind and trusted Edmund until he learned his bloody lesson. Gloucester's torture is one of the most brutal and bloody scenes that Shakespeare have ever written. He is charged with treason for helping the country's own king, and gets his eyes inhumanely taken out of his eye sockets. "All darkness and comfortless" (III. vii. 86). Gloucester blames this lack of justice on the gods and questions if there is any divine justice at all in this world. "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. / They kill us for their sport" (IV.i.36-37). The only sign of justice here is when Cornwall's own servant realizes how wrong this act is, and voices his own opinion by wounding Cornwall and killing him. Cornwall gets his deserved punishment, and justice is served.
In conclusion, Justice is crucial to a peaceful and civilized world. Because not only did Cordelia's banishment, Edmund's evil plans, or Gloucester's torture cause much trouble to the individuals, but at the same time, caused civil disorder and chaos seen though the civil war. If everyone is to have their deserved punishment or reward, and possess basic moral rightness; then this world will be peaceful and free of violence, madness and chaos.
