“I am a man more sinned against than sinning” III.2.59-60To what extent to you agree with Lear’s statement above? Discuss how Shakespeare presents Lear’s role in the play and explore his journey from tyrant to humility and death.

The Tragedy of King Lear is a moralistic play that follows the downfall of a King that occurs as a result of human misconception and blindness to the truth.
“I am a man more sinned against than sinning” is a direct quote from Lear at the pinnacle of the play- and Lear’s lowest point. It is also notably central to all of Shakespeare’s major themes present in the play.
Lear’s Character is so that as the play progresses so too does the level of sympathy generally felt towards the king. Different stages of the play show Lear in many different states of mind adding to the portrayal of Lear’s complex characterisation and our sympathetic judgment. Numerous questions are raised as to the origin of the King’s downfall and just how much those around him contributed towards his blindness, irrationality, and insanity. It is questionable just how far his daughters Gonerill and Regan are to blame, and whether or not more good than bad came as a result of the episode.
When ...