What is the significance of the crown in King Lear?

Shakespearean Plays Questions



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What is the significance of the crown in King Lear?

The crown in King Lear symbolizes power, authority, and the monarchy. It represents the division and transfer of power within the play, as Lear initially divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, leading to chaos and the loss of his own power. The crown also represents the theme of appearance versus reality, as Lear realizes too late that his daughters' words were empty and that true loyalty cannot be measured by flattery. Ultimately, the crown becomes a symbol of madness and loss, as Lear is stripped of his power and descends into madness.