COURAGE AS DEPICTED IN BOTH “THE ALCHEMIST” AND “KING LEAR”

COURAGE AS DEPICTED IN BOTH “THE ALCHEMIST” AND “KING LEAR”

            In most cases, literature by different authors has come into convergence in regard to how issues are tackled, and that’s one of the key factors which indicate its role in achieving the common goal of enlightening the common people through its role as a third eye. A typical example of literature convergence can be seen in the way the theme of courage has been tackled in both the William Shakespeare′s “King Lear” (Shakespeare) and Paul Coelho’s “The Alchemist” (Soni, 85). From the two books courage has been portrayed as the brave step which is taken by an individual amidst challenges and which empowers the person to face those challenges with an utmost integrity and to overcome them.

What we learn from the two stories is that courage is realized after taking the first step and acknowledging the consequences of taking the courageous step. In Paul Coelho’s “The Alchemist” for instance, the boy’s heart is in fear because of the suffering to come as a consequence but by acknowledging the challenge of the suffering he is bold enough to take such a courageous step “My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer” (Soni, 87).

Consequently, after the boy faces a lot of drawbacks from his heart in regard to the courageous steps he is supposed to take in pursuit of his dreams he again learns that for him to successfully take that courageous step he must acknowledge that weakness of the heart and move on. “You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.” (Soni, 90)

On the other hand Kent in William Shakespeare′s “King Lear” has been presented to be in fear of what is likely to befall him on turning against King Lear. However, on acknowledging and being ready to face death as the consequence, he faces Lear without flinching (Shakespeare). However, his courage does not avail because the king evicts him, which can be seen as remitting him from more duties. But his courage is unconditional. He depicts his constancy by turning up disguised just like Caius in order to serve the master he loves. The scene we get to know Caius can be seen as what is referred to as interviewed functions today, a catalogue of his own virtues (Shakespeare).

In both stories, courage has been depicted as the driving force in the journey of life. Because of being courageous, the milestones which have been achieved in both stories won’t be possible especially considering the obstacles which have being experienced throughout the lives of the characters in the two stories. Courage has been displayed as the motivating factor amidst the down backs which would ultimately make the characters fail to achieve their desires and dreams.

In Paul Coelho’s “The Alchemist”, the boy is obligated to sell all what he has like his sheep for him to be able to move forward while chasing his dream. But making such a tough decision which is all about taking risk does not guarantee him of a walk in the valley because setbacks seem to be catching up with him in the process (Soni, 91). As in most cases, when challenges seem to follow in such a manner people tend to give up in whatever that they were pursuing to achieve. Similar to the boy who was also a human being, giving up was also an option but because of the courageous virtue he was able to forge ahead believing that he was going to accomplish his dreams, a move that demonstrates the essential role of courage in the journey of life.

Back to William Shakespeare′s “King Lear”, challenging a King has been associated with death penalty and which was likely to be faced by Kent. Just as it had been stipulated, Kent was also aware of what might befall him on challenging King Lear. In normal circumstances and as a human being, Kent could not have attempted to challenge the king in fear of the consequences (Shakespeare). Through courage however, Kent is ready for the consequence on challenging the king and for that matter he faces the king without flinching. In that way, courage can be seen as the motivating factor inside him to achieving what he is up to. This has depicted courage as the driving force towards achieving some set goals.

Drawing from the perception of the two stories, life is a journey full of set goals which may it be academic goals, investment goals or even health goals. Such goals are set to be achieved but there are always challenges and setbacks which come on the way just like it has been seen from the character “boy” in Paul Coelho’s “The Alchemist” as well as in “Kent” from William Shakespeare′s “King Lear”. These setbacks are blocks with the potential of preventing success in attaining the goals but with courage, the setbacks are easily overpowered and the goals achieved.