King Lear gives the impression that tragedy also occurs due to the direct misfortunes that fall on people, which fade the light of honorable characters, but in the end, it reemerges, more overpowering and absolute than the wrongs of the world. A tragic play is one where a tragic fate is the ruin or death of a hero. King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Thus, the theme of tragedy and redemption remain inseparable in the case of this play. Redemption here implies freedom from one’s superfluous trite self to become a non-judgmental and truthful person. I believe King Lear is a tragic redemptive play that shows how human tragedy can ultimately make man realize his wrongdoings and transform him to become a new person. On the other side of the thematic debate are those who believe that the play is primarily tragic in nature as Cordelia’s death signifies the consequence truth and goodness face, when confronted with iniquitous and gratuitous people. Jessica Berg believes that Cordelia signifies a Christ-figure as her subsequent death reaffirms that the essential theme of the play is redemptive (4-6). In a way, Cordelia becomes the symbol of good that must die in the end to redeem the souls of the others. It is only in Cordelia, Lear’s youngest daughter whom he banishes, do we find the light of truth. The play begins with a dark vision of a world that is superfluous and false, devoid of humility and love. King Lear and the other characters that were at fault in the beginning of the play are redeemed in the end by the tragic death of the most innocent character. Redemption is one of the primary themes of the play.

King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s most tragic plays, shows how the tragic loss of honor, pride, and senility ultimately brings forth redemption to the characters.

The king lear by william shakespeare