Like all Shakespearean tragedies, "King Lear" has several prevalent humanistic themes. Of course, the plot revolves around the obvious themes of parent-child relationships, sibling rivalries, and pride as man's downfall. However, one common theme incorporates all of these elements: the search for love. In each respective plot, the characters are driven forward by the need for recognition and acceptance. Lear's desire for adulation from his daughters, Edmund's desire to usurp his brother's position as heir, and the argument between Goneril and Regan over Edmund's love all point to the common theme of the thirst for love. By analyzing each plot, one can find that the characters' search for unrequited love is the central driving force behind the tragedy of Shakespeare's "King Lear". Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Lear's Need for Adulation: King Lear is a sad character from the beginning of the play. Lear's search for love is shown in his insistence on adulation from his daughters. His lack of faith in the love of his three daughters is introduced in the first scene. By asking his daughters to flatter him for their talents, Lear demonstrates that he needs constant reassurance of his importance. “Which of you can we say loves us more?” Lear asks of his daughters (1.1 line 52). Unfortunately for Lear, his favorite daughter Cordelia refuses to let her father's vanity humiliate her in this way, while Regan and Goneril take advantage of the old man's deal of wealth in exchange for flattery. Cordelia's refusal enrages Lear and he says, "Nothing will come of nothing" and banishes her from the kingdom (1.1 line 95). The other two daughters conspire against Lear, discredit his sanity, and the tragedy begins. If Lear had only understood that genuine love cannot be found in flattery, his end would not have been so swift or so terrible. Lear's insistence on flattery caused his fall from proud king to naked madman. Furthermore, due to Lear's willingness to rely on the blandishments of Regan and Goneril, he never received the acceptance he sought, as both wicked daughters banished him from his former kingdom. At the beginning he insists on talking about his daughters' love, but by the end of the play his experience has taught Lear not to have any hope in his daughters' love. He cries, “Do your worst, blind Cupid, I will not love” (4.4 line 153). Love has eluded the old man once again, making the play even more tragic. Edmund's need for recognition: Edmund's tragedy is his status as Gloucester's bastard son. Being a bastard, his destiny is basically to be second to his legitimate brother, Edgar. Edmund really wants to be the boys' father's favorite, but he acknowledges his illegitimacy by saying, "Well, then legitimate Edgar, I must have your land" (1.2 line 15). Edmund, however, is characterized by heartless ambition and creates a plot to be first in his father's kingdom, even if he cannot be first in his father's heart. The audience can clearly see that Edmund longs for his father's love. Edmund's plan to disinherit Edgar directly follows the scene in which Gloucester reluctantly tells Kent that Edmund is a "son of a bitch" who "must be acknowledged" (1.1 line 22). Certainly with a father who would rather deny his existence, Edmund has reason to fight for acceptance. Since his father ignores him, Edmund swears: "if not by birth, possess lands by wit" (1.3 line 177). He shouts vengeance: "Now, gods, defend the bastards!" and hatches his plot to conquer the land of Gloucester (1.2.