In Shakespeare's King Lear, tragedy is a recurring theme, with no distinction between good and evil. The play depicts the suffering of King Lear's daughters, who are all ultimately killed. Despite the brutal events, hope remains subtly present through the development of characters. King Lear's suffering begins with his unnatural division of the land, where he satisfies greed from Goneril and Reagan. The fawning responses of these characters, such as Cordelia's loyalty, further exacerbate the suffering. Goneril and Reagan's flattery and Cordelia's departure further exacerbate the situation. The brutal beating of King Lear and his knights further deprives him of power, leading to his downfall into madness and mental instability.
However, the protagonist, Lear, shows that redemption can lead to personal growth. Before his sufferings, he was a violent and narcissistic King who punished his loyal people. After suffering, Lear declares to Cordelia that he will "kneel down and ask thee forgiveness," promoting his character flaws and personal growth. Edmund also shows that we still have morals to regain, highlighting the good nature of people. Thus, hope remains present in King Lear's world, as redemption reveals the good nature of people.
In King Lear, hope is presented through the directors' staging of characters on set. In act 1 scene 1, Lear is solitary with Gonerill and Regan, highlighting the growing age of the Kings and the manipulative power of Gonerill and Regan. The gap between Cordelia and Lear increases, illustrating their growing relationship and love. After this distancing, Cordelia is positioned front stage with Kent, The Fool, and France, implying that she is not alone in her banishment. The Fool, Kent, and France side with Cordelia, implying that they may also support her in her banishment. This dramatic interpretation of the play highlights the characters' allegiances and the notion of hope. Overall, the directors effectively stage the characters on set to convey the characters' growing age, manipulation, and love for each other.