albany character analysis

albany is physically passive character throughout, in regards to he does no real which is unlike most other characters throughout the play. he is however vocal in his opinions and is really the only one to call out the sister’s evil to their face. he goes through a figurative freedom from blindness, yet is not called to action by his sudden sight. we can infer that while shakespeare applauds this nous, no true change can be made through passivity

albany also exists as a way to clearly show goneril’s ‘masculine’ characteristics, shown through the dynamic in their marriage - as albany is the coddling, passive character, and she is the decisive, aggressive one. albany can be considered the traditionally feminine character for this reason

albany’s characterisation shows the gradual development of nous ; first he is blind and subservient, then recognises the sister’s cruelty, and then can contemplate humanity and how society will survive after the finale of the play. he introduces deep philosophical ideas, such as how the sister’s status as women allow them to get away with crimes, such as cornwall’s servant who refused to fight regan and ended up dying. he represents order with greater nous, as he controls the situation by arresting edmund. however this action is not as cathartic as edmund’s death to edgar

albany tells of how the ‘gods will protect [cordelia']’ in act 5 scene 3 only to be proved wrong ironically when cordelia is dead. this is cathartic in a way as it reduces albany’s status, forcing the audience to see he is below god, which is positive as it makes the audience realise how natural order is returned and catharsis can be reached

his character is tragic because while he has the potential to change the outcome of the play, due to his sudden sight, he takes so long to do so, even still letting his army go fight against france. also helps the tragedy cuz it provides catharsis that he is one of the last remaining character since we know we can trust his judgement