okay this latest draft has drained me of ideas, how much closer am i to 15/15?
Leadership is a conceptual framework of understanding ascribed to the underlying notion of successful guidance of a group by one or more individuals. The whole idea relies on successful relationships between a leader and his people. Thus derived is an assumption, a leader must maintain social aptness, avoid hegemony, and still have the determination to fulfil tasks for the benefit of the group. This framework of ideas is explored in varying intricacies in Shakespeare’s play “King Lear” as well as J.
R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy of novels.
A starting point of analysis one may consider is given in the character of Edmund, the bastard son of the Earl of Gloucester in “King Lear”. Edmund is described as one who holds a high antipathy for society, for renouncing him over his brother Edgar, who stands to inherit the wealth of their father Gloucester, All due to Edmund’s bastard status. In his first epideictic oration, “Thou nature art my goddess; to thy law my services are bound…Now gods, stand up for bastards!”, one is given the implication of a starting campaign of Edmund’s, in his quest for recognition against his censure by society. The asyndeta in his soliloquy develop one’s appreciation of his incredible determination to lead, as well as present powerful imagery of the characters cerebral strength in general.
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Edmund is a stereotypically ridiculed bastard, but holds the ambitions to rise above his status. This framing device allows Shakespeare to set the scene for a portfolio of situations and established social networks to unfold for Edmund which serve to assist his own personal goals. This shows his flagrant ambition drives his need for supremacy. Eventually, Edmund “receives” a letter from Edgar, which shocks Gloucester when he reads it. This deceit craftily creates the first scenario for a follower to fall into his trap. As he then describes, “A credulous father and a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms…” one can see an almost virile tone of authority expressed in his speech. Extra use of polysyndeta even more effectively reiterates his cerebral dominance. Shakespeare’s introduced emphasis on Edmund creates powerful associative imagery in the readers minds of the important role Edmund shall play
Edmunds meeting with Edgar, subsequent to the letter being read, is another thematically driven situation. He tells Edgar to remain armed at all times. “Pray ye, go, there’s my key. If you do stir abroad, go armed”. Edgar is instructed in a sincere manner by Edmund to leave to Edmunds lodging. The red herring here is seen to be successful in literally restructuring the entire familial bond between Gloucester and Edgar. Shakespeare’s structure of the scenario allows one to sympathise with Edgar and Gloucester, as they’re so critically being pulled apart from each other by Edmund.
On a different angle, Frodo from The Lord Of the Rings possesses a different personality which is expressed differently to Edmund. He is described as a jovial little fellow, a hobbit who comes to be in possession of “the one ring, the ring to rule them all”. This ring becomes a perfect example of Chekhov’s gun, the mysterious properties posed as a wonder to the characters in the novel as well as the reader. The eventual task Frodo comes to face comes as a striking juxtaposition to the antecedent reputation built up for him by JR Tolkien.
LOTR also elapses with a progressive dwindling of Company members. This pathetic fallacy is symbolic in its representation of the greater independence required of the leader, in the changing situations his group faces. JR Tolkien presents to the reader the idea of the necessity of social bonding, asking the question, what occurs when Frodo’s social network decreases in magnitude? What effect does this have on his ability and desire to continue? This puts Frodo’s leadership abilities to the test
When Frodo escapes Boromir’s accost in the forest, he encounters Sam, who demands “Im going with you”, to Mount Doom. Frodo accepts this decision on Sam’s part to remain with him, this instills a greater subconscious sense of success, therein giving Frodo mental support. The connective rapport between Sam and Frodo reduces the lingering feeling of solitude the reader holds for Frodo, and promotes ideals of his success. This
After the acquaintance with Gollum, from an altercation that ensues with regard to Frodo wanting “To help him” (Gollum), the conversation allows the reader to sympathise with Gollum, and suggests to us the caring nature of Frodo is imminent in his desire to help Gollum. Then after a brief aspersion to Sam’s request to assist with the Ring, Frodo exclaims “It’s my task! My own!” suggesting to the reader the ring is altering his personality, adding a darker element of avarice and forcing Frodo to battle against the attractive power of the ring. So the flow on effect is a change in Frodo’s capabilities to uphold his leadership efficiency, a contrasting representation to that of Edmund in King Lear, who only keeps on increasing his power.
He also maintains with the exigency of his task, and still manages to form a sympathetic relationship with Gollum, as well as a mostly sympathetic, but fluctuating one with Sam. This case is unique in that it is an exemplification of the notion that leadership does not necessarily come in physical size, a small character by stature is shown to have the greatest power and influence
In summation, the texts “King Lear” and “The Lord of the Rings” give not only a practical application of the leadership framework but drive thematic patterning in their respective storylines. Overall, in King Lear, through the character of Edmund, Shakespeare poses to the reader the questions, are altruism and justice necessarily characteristics of leadership? Does a hamartia always arise in the different agendas of leaders such as Edmund? On the same note, Frodo, in the Lord of the Rings, endures a whole series of obstacles with the overarching kindness and sympathy of a great leader, as well as the strength and determination to overcome deterrents. JR Tolkien thus teaches the importance of will, and that the greatest power is vested in it.
