The tragedy "King Lear" by William Shakespeare allows us to delve into several topics that were present in early modern England. One of these is the ability to dramatize the collapse of Providentialism. King Lear managed to accomplish this successfully in several ways. At the same time, other characters showed their way of challenging the old order. In this essay I will explore aspects, reasons and consequences of character behavior and, finally, I will conclude why and how the old order is subverted. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Lear's tendency to believe that the gods are on his side leads him to make abrupt decisions about giving up his inheritance. The idea of ​​praising the gods reveals Lear's true nature, which shows signs of blasphemy, as he swears by several gods, "Now, by Apollo." He expects the higher power to make his daughters pay for betrayal and greed, but in the meantime he is allowed to turn his daughters into objects of his discipline. However, when Kent tries to enlighten Lear that his decisions have gone wrong, Lear stubbornly views this as disrespect on Kent's part and warns him, "That you tried to make us break our vows." Lear also dramatizes the collapse of providentialism, when he renounces his inheritance while still alive. The Fool, on the other hand, warns him of his possible foolishness and its consequences, "Luck, that arrogant bitch, / Never turns the key on the poor." However, as the play progresses, Lear's perception of reality also increases. He begins to recognize that the gods are not treating him as well as expected and states, "you see me here, you gods, a poor old man." Furthermore, Lear begins to question his existential questions, as Lear's gentlemen say, he "commands the winds to blow the earth into the sea / or swell the curled water 'above the current, / that things may change or cease ". This leads Lear to think that the gods are indifferent to humanity, “just as flies are wild boys we are to the gods; they kill us for their sport. Unfortunately, only by losing everything, is he capable of admitting reality like this as it is, “He finds truth only in madness, which represents the upheaval of the semiosis he has rejected.” Furthermore, some characters challenge the old order. For example, Lear is misogynistic and discriminates against women daughter's intentions in terms of materialistic forms. Lear gives up his inheritance to daughters who have the gift of speech, but Lear has no good intentions by stating, "Oh, how this mother swells towards my heart!" Hysterica passio, down, you who rise pain! / Your element is below! – Where is this daughter? ¨, showing disgust towards women and calling them a disease. Furthermore, Cordelia is unable to express her love verbally and thinks to herself, "What will Cordelia say?" Love and be silent. Cordelia has her principles and wants to be honest, in this way she challenges the old order and is seen as disrespectful by her father and the other characters. Edmund goes against providentialism by being selfish and acting like a complete "bastard." Although it is not a reason to be excused, he behaves this way, because his father has been disrespectful and has teased him many times, as Gloucester states, "I have so often blushed to acknowledge it that I am now impudent." Please note: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay At the end of the work it is very likely that the old order will be subverted, taking into account that the characters who..