The Metamorphoses Of Desire In King Lear

Desire is the root of all human sufferings. From ancient Greek to modern society, desire has always been the most concerned subject in philosophy and literature. Desire is the antithesis of temperance and reason. Pythagoras sees desire as a destructive force that destroys the harmonious order of the cosmos. Plato believes that man's material desire will prevent them from searching for the truth. Neo-Platonism connects desire with the matter, which is the lowest layer of the cosmos. In Plotinus's view, desire is an obstacle to self-knowledge and a hindrance that blocks man's unification with the One. Freud sees desire as id. the degeneration of ego and the opposition of superego. Desire has been a perpetual motif in the canon of literature. Eve's eating of the forbidden apple. Cain's fratricide. Barabas's lust for wealth, Tamburlaine's pursuit for power, and Faustus's desire for knowledge all represent the destructive forces of desire. Man is in his constant struggle between reason and desire. When reason surpasses desire, man will ascend into an angelic state with purity and holiness; while when desire rules over reason, man will degenerate into a devilish state.This thesis analyzes the metamorphoses of desire in King Lear, demonstrating how human nature can be changed by the intensity of his desire. Lear experiences a transformation from an earthly man to a divine angel. Gonerill and Regan are embodiment of desire. Their unlimited appetite for power and sexual pleasure metamorphoses them into damned devils. Cordelia is presented as the antithesis of desire, a symbol of reason, truth, and love. She is like an angle, with God-like holiness.The main body of the present thesis is divided into the following three parts:The first part probes into the metamorphoses of desire in Lear, demonstrating how he has been changed from a tyrannical king to an angelic figure. In the beginning of the play, Lear, with his absolute monarchial power, is a man of despotism and waywardness. He demands absolute authority and hopes to manipulate his daughters completely. His abnormal love for Cordelia drives him to dominant her totally. Cordelia's impending marriage prompts him to divide his kingdom in rashness, playing his power and property to compete for Cordelia's love. Blinded by his impetuous passion, he is unable to perceive the truth. He cannot discern the true love behind Cordelia's plain language, nor realize the monstrous aspiration hidden in Gonerill and Regan's flattery. Although he sees himself as an almighty king, he is not kingly. He is just a secular man enslaved by his uncontrollable passion. However, the two monstrous daughters'insolence and betrayal force him to reflect on his misdoings. In the purgatory of the storm, Lear gradually shakes off all the earthly pursuit and realizes the essence of human life. His soul is ascending to an angelic state with purity and divinity.The second part expounds the evilness and bestial nature of Regan and Gonerill. The two sisters are like damned devils. They use their hypocritical flattery to gain her father's power and land. Once they get what they want, they immediately unveil their wolfish visage. They treat Lear cruelly, casting him out in the turbulence of storm. They are completely driven by id, devoid of any humanity or compassion. Regan plucks out Gloucester's eyes and stabs his servants. In order to fulfill her lust for Edmund, Gonerill poisons her sister and plots her husband's murder. Their desire not only destroys the harmonious order of society but also ruins the order of their own lives.The third part analyzes Cordelia as the antithesis of desire. Cordelia is the embodiment of reason, truth, temperance, and forgiveness. She can see the truth and discern her sisters'false intension. Her rationality forbids her to join in her sister's public display of flattery. Facing Lear's cruelty and banishment, Cordelia has never complained a word or bore any resentment toward his father. She even sacrifices her life for the sake of her father. She is the angle destroyed, presenting the holiness of human nature.To sum up, King Lear is a tragedy of desire. According to the intensity of desire, characters are metamorphosed into different forms, forming an ascending hierarchy, from the evil sisters at the bottom, to the earthly Lear in the middle, and then to the angelic Cordelia and transformed Lear at the top.