Wisdom in King Lear by William Shakespeare and Tuesdays...

Wisdom is a very valued and respected trait in our society and is associated with the elderly. In both King Lear by William Shakespeare and Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, the protagonists were able to acquire wisdom after undergoing trials and tribulations. However, both these men began their quest as completely different people, polar opposites even. Morrie always emphasized the value of family and love, while King Lear saw these as trivial pursuits which at best can be used to elevate his ego. Morrie was disappointed by the way things were in his society, while initially King Lear did not care too much for it and accepted it. Morrie viewed death as completely natural and even an ideal way to live, while King Lear still wanted to†¦show more content†¦This quote exemplifies King Lears conviction of family. He pitted his daughters against each other for his personal benefit. His love was also conditional, even though Cordelia was his known favorite amongst his daughters , he warned her How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes. (I I 94-95). This quote reinforces the fact that he believed that love in a family is unilateral, that is, he should only receive love but never give any. Contrarily, Morries love for his family was unconditional and a two-way street. However, Lear realized the true value of unconditional love when Cordelia returned despite after disowning and cursing her, but it was too late. While Morrie learned the value of love through the lack of it earlier in his life, King Lear would learn it through the death of his beloved daughter. Both would cherish family and life even more after coming to terms with death, and realize the ills of their respective societies. Both Lear and Morrie also once had different perspectives on life and society. King Lear accepted the hierarchy of his society, of course, since he was the pinnacle of the great chain of being. Quoted from King Lear All I ask is that you provide me with a hundred knights for my own entourage. Ill keep only the title of king...(I I 136-138). ThisShow MoreRelatedComparing Shakespeares King Lear with Mitch Alboms Tuesdays with Morrie1066 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeares King Lear versus Tuesdays with Morrie William Shakespeares King Lear is a tragedy of a king who is unable to comprehend the truth of the human condition until he is stripped of his kingdom, family, and the basic components of human dignity. At the end of his existence, even the one person who he loved, his daughter Cordelia, is taken away. Similarly, Morrie Schwartz in the popular nonfiction book Tuesdays with Morrie does not fully come to terms with himself and what is valuable inRead MoreThe Tuesdays With Morrie And King Lear2092 Words   |  9 Pagesasks for advice. Wisdom is understanding and seeing the truth in life. It is the capability to recognize the aspects of life that are truly important and distinguishing them from the aspects that are essentially useless. Many authors incorporate one or more characters within their novels that possess the characteristics of a wise individual. In both Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and King Lear by William Shakespeare, the protagonists Morrie and Lear are able to acqui re wisdom after undergoingRead MoreKing Lear And Tuesdays With Morrie1507 Words   |  7 Pages Wisdom is an absolutely valued and loved trait in our community and is associated mutually with the elderly people. In both texts, King Lear by William Shakespeare and Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, one of the main characters in both texts, King Lear and Morrie Schwartz, were experienced to develop intelligence afterwards undergoing suffering and troubles. However, both these men began their investigations in different ways. Morrie infinitely emphasized the worth of community and comfort,