“Fairness is what justice really is”, a quote by former Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, Potter Stewart. Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm, whereas justice is defined as, behaviour or treatment according to what is morally right. In other words, mercy is the forgiveness and justice is the discipline, it is no question that both are important to uphold a stable society, and it is the same for the society within Shakespeare’s King Lear. Throughout the acts of the play, we see as the plot progressively gets darker and more depressing, illustrated by the cruel, chaos paired with the betrayal of the characters. There are however, a number of events that show …show more content…
Late in the play, he comes to his senses and comes to the realization that what Goneril is doing and has done to her father is completely wrong and immoral. In an argument with his wife Goneril, Albany says: “If that the heavens do not their visible spirit. Send quickly down to tame these vile offenses, it will come” (Shakespeare IV. II. 47-49). What Albany is saying is that if the heavens don’t punish these crimes, a vicious domino effect of iniquitous actions will take place. Only through punishment will there be change in the evil …show more content…
In act IV scene V, she shows no remorse after the death of her husband The Duke of Cornwall and in no time tells Oswald: “Edmund and I have talked, and more convenient is he for my hand. Than for your lady’s.” (Shakespeare IV. V. 31-33). Showing no sign of dejection, Regan speedingly concludes that she wants to marry Edmund just after the passing of her husband, showing that there really was no legitimate feelings of love between them and that she just wanted him for his stature. It is also important to note that Regan immediately decides that she wants Edmund, even though there already is a relationship forming between Edmund and her sister Goneril. So even though they both are seen almost as cynical twins, their wicked behaviour is now beginning to work against each other. These events prove that the wicked have no shame and would back-stab anyone they feel are in their way. There is no room in their heart for forgiveness or mercy, and thus justice is the only solution.

While some incidents occur that provide a momentary buoyant mood, such as the forgiveness of Cordelia and Lear, and between Edgar and Gloucester, the main damage in the society has already been done. While mercy might have solved the what-is-now minor feuds between the characters listed previously, the much larger issue surrounding the evil around the society cannot be