Gloucester

November 12, 1999

The Fall and the Atonement

In King Lear, Shakespeare presents to us many multi-faceted characters. Each character undergoes a sort of change from the beginning acts to the concluding acts. Our first impression of them changes greatly by the third act, as their minds become more open to us and we begin to see what motivates them and why they do the things they do. Perhaps, like Gloucester, the characters really have a change of heart, or move from hesitantly wavering on a subject to taking a firm stand, at the loss of everything they hold dear. Gloucester’s change of heart comes at a heavy price, though. First he descends to the very hell of humanity, his soul and body exceeding physical anguish in his fall. But after the fall always comes the atonement, sent to save us from ourselves.

We liken Gloucester’s situation to the battle between good and evil here on earth. It is the “Salvation Syndrome.” Gloucester is simply a man with two sons, whose loyalty he obviously doesn't know much about. For it is Edgar that is on his father’s side and Edmund who wishes to destroy him. Edmund only wants to bring him down. But he wraps this evil desire in pretty wrapping paper and fools Gloucester by telling him what he wants to hear. Gloucester does not want to believe that “[his] son Edgar” (I.ii.59), would have the heart to turn against him. In the face of the evidence, however, Gloucester believes it. Not wanting to even consider that Edmund might also be against him, he pushes the notion from his head and assumes that Edmund is the forever loyal and true son. It does not even seem to occur to Gloucester, as simple as his mind is, that if Edmund is lying, then Edgar would be the true and valiant son.

This is the start of Gloucester’s fall. On earth, there is a strangely coherent paradox. Men find themselves in situations where they are not sure who to believe. There are two brothers to follow: Christ and Satan. Although Christ is the loyal and loving brother, Satan knows how to twist the evidence, give us pretty packages, and convince us that he is the honest one. Because it is often easier to believe Satan over Christ, many people do so. It is hard for men, Gloucester included, to believe that someone would connivingly plan against them, purposely intending to bring about their destruction. Gloucester’s flaw of believing his betrayer is inherent in all men. Too late we recognize the adversary, believing other’s words without seeking out the evidence ourselves. His anger is kindled against Edgar, as Edgar’s “very opinion [is] in the letter” (I.ii.81), a letter that Gloucester never takes the time to examine.

Gloucester’s character at first wavers between serving his king with loyalty or leaving him to his insanity. Somewhat puzzled, Gloucester notes that Lear has become increasingly less tolerant and given to doing things “upon the gad” (I.ii.26). This does not make for a very sound king. The parallel to real life is the struggle we as mortal beings have in remaining loyal to our king, our God. Though our king has never done anything whimsical or delusional, His ways are different than ours, and often men may feel confused and torn about why certain things are happening.

However, as Gloucester decides, the king is the king, and unless he is doing something evil, Gloucester should remain loyal to him. His loyalty reaffirmed, and strong his duty towards Lear, he decides that “[his] duty cannot suffer” (III.iv.151) to allow harm to come to the king. With a change of heart, he bids the king to “drive toward Dover . . . where [he] shalt meet/ both welcome and protection” (III.vi.90-91). Gloucester understands that he is disobeying the will of Goneril and Regan; but in his mind, Lear is still the king. Their will doesn't matter next to his. So it is with man that the desire comes to serve our Lord and master, as a little bit of understanding dawns that he is still in charge. Still, the realization of how far the adversary’s trickery has led us isn’t apparent yet. Men often make the first step, to trust in God. Then comes the hard part. Gloucester did not realize that in choosing the side of Lear, he made enemies out of Goneril and Regan, whom he would have previously called friends. In the cruelest evil and torment, Gloucester looses his eyes for his bravery and loyalty. But unknown to those who fight against us, these actions only strengthen the valiant and make them more determined to stand for right. In Gloucester’s case, this is Lear; for religious martyrs today, suffering in Christ’s name only sanctifies the cause.

The final atoning act for Gloucester comes from Edgar. Very literally, when Gloucester falls, Edgar saves him. Gloucester lies at the bottom of the cliff, waiting to die, hoping to die. Edgar will not let him; he goes to Gloucester’s side, tells him that “life’s a miracle” (IV.vi.55), and he must go on. Through Edgar, the one Gloucester had originally denounced, Gloucester finds the strength and will to live. Thus Gloucester’s character finishes setting the pattern that all men will follow. Though men must fall and even suffer a physical death, Christ, the one who is smitten and cursed and forgotten, suffered that “we might be” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25). Thus we are never alone and can never fail if we simply remain loyal.

Through King Lear we begin to see many characters that we don’t really like. But Gloucester’s character, even as it represents the entire fall and atonement in King Lear, also stands to represent mortal men in the world today. Gloucester at first appeared weak and uncertain. However, he proved himself to be a valiant soul, willing to even give up his sight for what he knew was right. He would not, he could not, deny it.