Compare three different characters

I have to write an essay over the break comparing Hamlet and Lear...i yet have to read the book....it will take me at least 1 day to finish Lear and get started on the essay....so i was wondering if you could
help me...Last time i wrote an comparative essay... Thanks a lot Greg

A comparison of "Hamlet," "King Lear," and "Thomas More" While the three plays are, of

course, totally different as to plot and characterization, they also have points of similarity. While such things as deception, murder and revenge create the prime motivating factors for tragedy, when these factors combine with the intense feelings that occur within familial relationships, they serve to intensify the tragic aspects of a narrative line

My table roughly compares Hamlet, Lear and Thomas More:

Hamlet

Lear

Thomas More

fictional

from legend

historical person

Hamlet is remarkably unable to stand up for his principles"

Lear has never learnt the key principles it seems

"More is remarkable and willing to stand up for his principles"

Hamlet

Lear is certainly one eyed and socially unaware of the effects of the division of the kingdomas is shown in Cordelia's reactions.

More seems to be unaware of the social effects that his decision leaves on his family especially on Alice.or at least, rationalizes national and principl;ed interests over personal ones.

wasteful indecision in a prince

quite selfish dereliction by a king

religious motivations singular in ruling class

politics of the nation not uppermost; focus is family feud

exercise of cruel feudalism

fighting feudalism's excesses

descent into madness

both regretting lost time lost opportunities

unable to love

 

descent into madness

both regretting lost time lost opportunities

unable to love

descent into tragedy poverty inevitability

never regretting lost opportunity

love of God superior to love of family

5.2 "... Ripeness is all."

- Compare Hamlet's "readiness" (Hamlet, 5.2.222):

other notes

G Smith 2004

 

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Author: G Smith Australia