Suffering in Shakespeares Plays - 1910 Words

Suffering In Shakespeares Plays How does suffering affect ones actions? Do different types of suffering affect one in different ways? This paper seeks to determine how William Shakespeares characters respond to various types of suffering. Suffering can be defined in two ways; physical suffering, in which the character is inflicted with physical pain and trauma, and emotional suffering, where the character suffers an emotional trauma or loss. In The Tempest, the physically traumatized characters, are Trinculo and Stephano. They are chased by dogs but their physical trauma has not induced any sign of remorse or guilt. Ferdinand, on the other hand, is overcome by emotional suffering at the loss of his son. In King†¦show more content†¦King Lear is the epitomy of suffering. His suffering includes a sense of guilt for misusing his past powers. (Bloom, 80). He endures a parents worst nightmare. First, he is outraged by his daughters lack of love for him. Love and be silent (I, i, 69). I am sure my loves more ponderous than my tongue. (King Lear, I, i, 78-79). Because of this, he ends up banishing her from his kingdom and cutting her from the inheritance. He splits the land in two leaving her with nothing. to his dismay, Lear discovers that life with his two other daughters is no joy. He is outraged by their cruel behavior, a Sharp-toothd unkindness (King Lear, II, iv). Lear is thrown out by his two daughters to rage against natures harsh elements. To be thrown from being king of Brittain to a fugitive in the open, pelted by merciless weather, and betrayed by ungrateful daughters is indeed an unpleasant fate. (Bloom, 1). Lear has now completely gone mad from exposure to the storm and the anguish he has suffered at the hands of his daughters. Gloucester must go through intense suffering before he can identify with the deprived. (Bloom, 74). He is convinced that his son is secretly planning to kill him. His bastard son Edmund convinces Gloucester that Edgar, his natural son, wants to kill him. Edmund then convinces Edgar to flee from his fathers wrath. My father watches. O, sir, fly this place,...Fly, brother,- Torches, torches!- soShow MoreRelatedShakespeare s Othello As A Tragic Hero1517 Words   |  7 Pageswho is Aristotle and why does he label Shakespeare’s play, Othello, as a tragedy? Aristotle is a famous Greek philosopher who defines Shakespeare’s character, Othello, as a tragic hero. Many parts in Othello tell the readers that the play is a tragedy, such as jealousy, arguing, and death, which makes the play famous and delightful to read. Aristotle has identified many common traits or characteristics that a tragic hero requires. In Shakespeare s play, Aristotle defines many features that causeRead MoreDoes Brutus â€Å"Qualify† as a Tragic Hero?873 Words   |  4 PagesDoes Brutus â€Å"qualify† as a tragic hero? 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