What Can’t Love Accomplish? Lessons on Human Connection Through The Iliad and King Lear

Abstract

What can’t love accomplish? Through Homer’s The Iliad and Shakespeare’s King Lear, the concept of love is examined, revealing the fundamental value of such a short-lived, futile experience. The father-child connections between King Lear and Cordelia, as well as King Priam and Hector, provide insight into the strength of paternal love and the ultimate futility of undertaking it. The discussed tragedies combine themes of power, heroism, and sacrifice to reveal the value of human connection, as well as the danger of attempting to control the powerful force of love. Through these case studies, we can learn about the shortcomings of our belief in the overarching power of love and instead focus on forming connections with a focus on the present moment. Love cannot accomplish much in the material sense, but its inherent, inescapable value makes the associated hardships worthwhile.