Here is the destroyed and rebuilt version, with help from all you guys
Anymore comments welcome, also predicted marks /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, good leadership involves maintaining social skills, avoiding hegemony, and keeping determined to help the group where possible. 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.
Edmund in King Lear delivers a soliloquy, which highlights his incredible cerebral strength and determination to lead. Thus Shakespeare builds up an impression of Edmunds importance in the story, as one who skilfully manipulates social networks to his will. This is shown in his description, as one who holds a high antipathy for society, for renouncing him over his brother Edgar, who stands a noble, while Edmund a bastard. 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 a quest for recognition against his censure by society.
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Edmunds bastard status prompts his desire to transcend social barriers, a stark contrast, to form an image of the underdog rising up to power. This framing device of “reputation vs destination” allows Shakespeare to create a multitude of situations which always unfold in Edmund’s favour. Eventually, Edmund “receives” a letter from Edgar, which shocks Gloucester when he reads it. Thus Edmund craftily traps Gloucester into a web of ficticious ideals he created. He then states, “A credulous father and a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms…” in which one can see an almost virile tone of authority expressed in his speech, further emphasising his cerebral dominance. Shakespeare’s emphasis on Edmund reiterates his important role.
The red herring Edmund creates with a false letter from Edgar to Gloucester is 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. Edmunds manipulative efficiency once again helps him acquire success in the situation. When he meets with Edgar, subsequent to the letter being read, 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. Thus the deceit and flattering speech is clearly shown to the reader.
On a different angle, Frodo from The Lord Of the Rings is a character portrayed as an alternate expression of leadership to that of Edmund. He is described as a “mere hobbit” who comes into possession of a great power, “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, eventually followed by revelatory circumstances. The eventual task Frodo comes to face also comes as a striking juxtaposition to the antecedent reputation built up for him by JR Tolkien, as a mere hobbit of minor intellectual or physical capabilities, let alone leadership.
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, both through social relationships and determination to continue.
Frodo accepts a decision on Sam’s part to remain with him, which instills a greater subconscious sense of success, therein giving Frodo mental support. This event occurs when Frodo escapes Boromir’s accost in the forest, he encounters Sam, who demands “Im going with you”, to Mount Doom.. 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 emphasises Sam’s influential role on Frodo’s leadership
Gollum comes to acquires a position of power which lets him choose to maintain secrecy, or give into deceit. This acquisition comes about when Sam and Frodo are arguing over whether to "Keep him (Gollum)", which gives that light of dejected innocence to 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
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.