The Nature of Loyalty

In the play King Lear, Shakespeare presents the reader with many negative views of society, and of human nature. One of the few bright spots in the play is Kent, a very loyal and honest man. Through Kent and his actions, Shakespeare shows the reader the nature of true loyalty. Kent's nature is evident from the very first time he talks to Lear. Lear has begun to detail his disappointment in Cordelia, and announce that …

…in which Kent truly shows his absolute loyalty by refusing to take the crown, as he knows that he will not live long enough to do the job credit. Shakespeare shows us that the nature of true loyalty is not fearing the consequences of one's loyalty, to be truly loyal you must sometimes be painfully honest, and that a truly loyal person will put the well-being of the person they're loyal to above their own.