Which of the following is the dominant theme of Shakespeare's famous play 'King Lear'?

Which of the following is the dominant theme of Shakespeare's famous play 'King Lear'? Correct Answer Filial Ingratitude

The correct answer is Filial Ingratitude.

Key Points

•  King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The first known performance of any version of this play was on St. Stephen's Day in 1606.
•  It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. Shakespeare's plot concerns itself with the consequences that arise from Lear's decision to transfer his royal power to his two eldest daughters, who cast him out and leave him at the mercy of the elements. 
• At the beginning of the play, King Lear of Britain, elderly and wanting to retire from the duties of the monarchy, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, and declares he will offer the largest share to the one who loves him most. His eldest two daughters Goneril and Regan flatter him with fulsome praise, but his youngest daughter Cordelia refuses to lie and says that she loves Lear as much as any daughter loves her father. Infuriated by Cordelia's supposed ingratitude, Lear disinherits her. 
• But Lear soon finds that Goneril and Regan had falsely flattered him, and they both refuse to entertain Lear's huge retinue of soldiers. Along with Gloucester's illegitimate son Edmund, both sisters are plotting to take power for themselves, and are dismissive of Lear. Lear is enraged by their treatment, and ranting against their ungratefulness, walks out into the storm. That represents the moment of realization for Lear: he understands the filial ingratitude of Goneril and Regan. So Option (4) is the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Besides the subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester and his sons, the principal innovation Shakespeare made to this story was the death of Cordelia and Lear at the end; in the account by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Cordelia restores Lear to the throne, and succeeds him as ruler after his death.
• The characters of Earl "Caius" of Kent and The Fool were created wholly by Shakespeare in order to engage in character-driven conversations with Lear. Oswald the steward, the confidant of Goneril, was created as a similar expository device.