The Concept of Nothing in King Lear Rebecca Blough College

Is there something in nothing? Is there nothing in nothing? Throughout The Tragedy of King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, readers hear multiple references to the word “nothing.” Although nothingness is commonly regarded as something negative, or nihilistic in nature, The Tragedy of King Lear presents nothingness as essentially a producer of something else. Specifically, at the end of the play, readers perceive that characters who had become “nothing” at some point within the play have now gained humility, compassion, or wisdom as a direct result. The concept of nothing in The Tragedy of King Lear is that one may achieve such valuable traits within a state of nothing.

One of the earliest references to the word “nothing” is in the conversation between King Lear and his daughter Cordelia in Scene 1 of Act 1. In this scene, King Lear asks Cordelia to express her love for him so that it triumphs her sisters declarations of flattery. When asked to speak, Cordelia replies with “Nothing, my lord,” (1.1.87). A few lines later, King Lear significantly states “Nothing will come of nothing, speak again,” (1.1.90). This particular line is significant because introduces the undertone of nihilism within the play. Although the ending of...