2. Abstract
This writing is to analyze a play entitled King Lear by William
Shakespeare. The purpose of this writing is to present the
conflicts between father and his children or parent-child
relationship. This writing uses intrinsic and extrinsic theories
and close reading method. From this analyzes, it can be found
that sometime father demonstrates poor judgement by rejecting
a good child and trusting a dishonest child. It can be concluded
that this writing focuses on relationship father and children that
is not harmonious.
Keywords: father, children, relationship, King Lear.
3. 1. Introduction
1.1 Background.
King Lear is one of William Shakespeare's most famous play. This
play is kind of tragedy that tells much about the themes of
betrayal, the desire for power, loyalty and also family. In this
analysis, it will be much discussed about the theme of the family
which is about the relationship between father and his children.
Where the relationship between King Lear and his three daughters
in a play is not harmonious.
1.2 Research Problem
From the play, it presents a conflicts between King Lear and his
daughters which is King Lear prefer to believe his dishonest
children, Goneril and Regan than Cordelia.
4. 2. Theory and Method
2.1 Theory
Characterization theory : protagonist and antagonist
Protagonist is the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama,
movie, novel, or other fictional text. Often referred to as the “good guy”. (
*not necessarily the "good"). Antagonist is a person who actively opposes or is
hostile to someone or something. Often referred to as the “bad guy”.
Family: parent relationship.
2.2 Method
This writing uses Close Reading method.
5. 3. Biography
William Shakespeare was baptized April
26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon,
England. From roughly 1594 onward he
was an important member of the Lord
Chamberlain’s Men company of
theatrical players. Written records give
little indication of the way in which
Shakespeare’s professional life molded
his artistry. All that can be deduced is
that over the course of 20 years,
Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the
complete range of human emotion and
conflict.
6. 4. Research Object
4.1 Object
The research object of this writing is devided into material and
formal object. Material object is a play entitled King Lear by
William Shakespeare. And the formal object is about parent-
children relationship.
4.2 Summary
King Lear, The Old King of England who wants to abdicate,
decides to split the kingdom flat to his three daughters; Goneril,
Regan and Cordelia. Each of his children should praise the king
which then they got the kingdom.
7. 5. Discussion
5.1 Intrinsic
Protagonist
Lear, King of Britain
How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little,
Lest you may mar your fortunes.
King Lear is the main character who also includes the protagonist. King Lear would then share
his kingdom with his children by telling them to praise how much they loved their father.
Antagonist
Regan
Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks.
Return you to my sister.
Regan is one of the antagonists. At that time she drove her father to return to Goneril. Because
Regan did not want to take care of her father, she just wanted his property alone.
8. 5.2 Extrinsic
Parent-Children Relationship
Lear, King of Britain
Thou hast her, France, let her be thine, for we
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see
That face of hers again. Therefore be gone,
Without our grace, our love, our benison. (Act I, scene I)
When Cordelia gets a turn to express her love for Kig Lear. She says "nothing" which
means there is no words that can describe the extent of her love for his father. But King
Lear was very angry at Cordelia, he assumed that Cordelia did not love him. Then King
Lear drove Cordelia out of the palace and did not think of her as his daughter anymore.
LEAR.
9. • LEAR.
• Never, Regan:
• She hath abated me of half my train;
• Look’d black upon me, struck me with her tongue,
• Most serpent-like, upon the very heart. (Act II, scene IV)
• When King Lear came to Regan to visit her palace, she orderd to his father to come back to Goneril.
Where King Lear had previously visited Goneril and was expelled. King Lear feels betrayed by his two
children.
• LEAR.
• If it be you that stirs these daughters’ hearts
• Against their father, fool me not so much
• To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,
• Of course, King Lear realized that he had been betrayed by his two children, Goneril and Regan. The
children that King Lear believed in, they did not love him. And the stupid King Lear wasted Cordelia who
sincerely loved his father.
10. 6. Conclusion
In the play King Lear, it teaches us not to believe easily
with what people say. Because unlike action, the word is
sometimes untrustworthy. King Lear is very sorry for
expelling Cordelia and prefers Goneril and Regan who
betrayed him and did not love him at all. And because
of his wrong actions in choosing and more trust in
dishonest children, King Lear's life was destroyed by
her own decision.
11. References
Barney, Sylvan, William Bruto, and William E. Cain. 2008.
An Introduction of Literature: fiction, poetry and drama.
Person/Longman. New York.
Harbage, Alfred. 1990. William Shakespeare King Lear. Pinguin
Books. The United State.
Shanahan, T. (2012). What is close reading? Retrieved from
http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/2012/06/what-is-
close-reading.htm
