The concept of creating heroes is inherently human, or at least as historically prevalent as that of creating gods. The latter is motivated by the need to clarify the world, the former by the desire to establish some kind of unattainable glory or ideal to emulate. In any case, each concept fills a human void. As history is more mature in offering lying scoundrels, murderers, and oppressive dictators, humanity relies on literature to fill the void of heroes. The hero of a work of fiction is easily identifiable by traits such as courage, nobility, and the defeat of some evil force, as well as by public recognition and celebration of this action. This praise is not always true, however, as is evident in Albany's portrayal in Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear. Albany has no shortage of character or even performance of heroic deeds, yet his role as a hero is downplayed in favor of Edgar, and it seems the common perception is that he is an insignificant character in the play. This idea comes about because Albany has very few lines in the play. Albany alternatively exemplifies the idea of ​​being the uncredited hero of the play. This statement is evident in heroic qualities, including his constant attempt to be objective and neutral, his ability to empathize and show compassion, and the way he fights injustice. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The fact that Albany tries to be objective in his judgment and actions shows that he is the hero of the play, even if he is not recognized for It. This trait is shown in Albany's introduction to the play when King Lear insults Goneril for questioning his ability to manage his knights. Instead of following the expected course of action and defending his wife, Albany overcomes this potential prejudice by simply stating to Lear, “Pray sir, be patient” (I. iv. 240). One could argue that this is more of an indication that he is passive and submissive, but the fact is that Albany would have nothing to gain from this because by this time Lear had already relinquished all power and influence to his daughters. Albany also demonstrates the ability to maintain rational thought in the face of criticism. Goneril claims to be compassionate only out of ignorance saying, "You are much more attacked for lack of wisdom" (I. iv. 327), and rather than lash out and attack this idea, Albany accepts that there may be some truth to the statement by saying so objective: "How far the eyes penetrate I cannot say" (I. iv. 329). Furthermore, his ability to be objective is only vividly displayed when countered by the actions of other characters. For example, Oswald, who is simply a servant of Goneril and has no obligations of a husband, takes her side more than Albany does. This is evident when he refers to Lear condescendingly as "my lady's father" (I. iv. 67). Furthermore, Goneril, who is Lear's daughter, does not respect him, as is demonstrated when she states: "...he has always known himself but in a slender way" (I. i. 309-310). This contrast demonstrates that Albany does not succumb to the prejudices of those he is close to, and instead tries to objectively analyze the situation. The objective position that Albany takes is evident when he states, "Now, the gods that we worship, where does This come from?" (I. iv. 270). This is in response to Lear calling Goneril an ungrateful child and essentially disowning her. In this quote, Albany shrewdly questions the long-term effects of the newly created conflict between Goneril and Lear instead of simply defending his wife. A more blunt example of Albany's objectivity is whenhe says, "I cannot be so partial" (I. iv. 293) to Goneril when she asks him his opinion of Lear who rejects her. Albany's actions also reflect objectivity when he offers to read the letter about which Edgar in disguise gave him Edmund's betrayal. He tells Edgar that, "I'll get to you. Speak." (V. i. 46), and so does not succumb to the prejudice of stigmas about the structure of society, such as the idea that the poor are senile and not worth communicating with. Finally, the fact that Albany never gets involved in the young versus old theme, like his lack of involvement in gouging out Gloucester's eyes, shows that he doesn't take sides. These many actions and judgments of Albany make it clear that he always tries to be neutral and objective, making him worthy of the idea of ​​the uncredited hero of the play. The ability to empathize and show compassion is another hallmark of a hero, and Albany exhibits this quality as well. First, when Lear speaks angrily of Goneril's betrayal of him, Albany tries to understand his situation by stating, "...I am innocent because ignorant/ [of what moved you]." (I. iv. 252-253). Furthermore, he insists on giving Lear credit for his abilities, showing his desire to extend compassion. This is evident when he states, “Well, you may fear too much” (I. iv. 309) in response to Goneril worrying that Lear cannot handle his knights. The other characters' perception of Albany is also crucial evidence of his empathetic nature. For example, Goneril says that Albany possesses "...milky kindness..." (I. iv. 325), and that he is a "...gentle husband" (IV, ii, 1). as well as being called "...virtuous...(IV. vi. 288)" by Edgar. These perceptions are important because both Edgar and Goneril see Albany as a caring man, and since these two characters correspond to one extreme of good and evil, there is more truth in their statements about Albany because both extreme perspectives have the same opinion. Furthermore, Albany's power to care for Lear is clearly shown when compared to the way his other brother-in-law, Cornwall, treats him. For example, Cornwall states of Lear that, "It is best to betray him, guide himself" (II. iv. 323), in reference to his own lack of concern for Lear's future after being sent into the storm. Additionally, Albany is shown to be compassionate in how he shows concern even for those who have committed selfish acts, showing that he is willing to extend forgiveness and empathy beyond just those who have treated him well. This is evident when Regan becomes ill and Albany states, "She's not well. Take her to my tent." (V. iii. 125), and also when he requests that Goneril be cured, saying, "Pursue her, she is desperate. Rule her." (V. iii. 189) during an argument that broke out over Edmund's betrayal. This idea is further shown when Albany shouts, "... save him!" (V. iii. 174) about Edmund falling to the ground wounded in a sword fight with Edgar. Furthermore, Albany shows sympathy in how he perceives Lear, stating that he is a "graceful old man" (IV. ii. 46), and, "whose reverence even the bear dragged by the head would lick" (IV. ii. 47-48). This is a metaphor that states that Lear is so kind that even a hot-tempered bear would not attack him due to his benevolent nature. These feelings and actions demonstrate that Albany shows empathy and concern for the well-being of other characters, and this entitles him to be the uncredited hero of King Lear. Albany also constantly fights and speaks out against injustice. After being informed of Edgar's supposed treachery, Oswald says that Albany, "...called me 'sot'" (IV. ii. 8), meaning a fool. This shows that Albany will not commit the unjust act of accepting rumors andaccuse someone based on questionable information. Oswald also states of Albany that: "I told him of the army that had landed; / He smiled at it." (IV. ii. 4-5). Albany realizes the absurdity and ironic injustice of the approaching French army being presented as a hostile attack by Regan, Goneril, and Edmund. The irony is that it was actually these same characters who started all the hostilities in the play by expelling Lear, while the French attack was simply a retaliation for this. Furthermore, Albany speaks passionately against injustices committed against the family, as when he declares, "She that shall splinter and limb / From her material sap must needs wither" (IV. ii. 39-40), meaning that the fact that Goneril has betrayed her family and those who support her will cause her inevitable death. Albany also exposes the way Goneril exploits his situation by calling it a "... self-covered thing" (IV. ii. 70). In this, he suggests that she takes advantage of the fact that she is a woman because she believes that cheating behavior is less expected of a woman. This demonstrates a willingness to reveal the injustice of such unfounded social perceptions. Finally, Albany's mentality towards evil acts is captured most vividly in his quote: "Wisdom and goodness seem vile to vile people" (IV. ii. 43), as he states that truth or honesty they are seen as a sick distortion by those who commit unjust acts. This was in response to Goneril for his poor treatment of Lear. Albany's fight for justice is shown in his concern over the many acts of treason that are taking place. He states that "mankind must necessarily prey upon itself" (IV. ii. 54), in which he implies that mankind becomes its own enemy and will ultimately destroy itself if actions such as those of Regan and Goneril are not combated. Furthermore, he speaks of the unjust actions of what is presumably his side in the war by saying, "...by others whom I fear / Whom the most just and weighty causes are opposed." (V. i. 30-31). This implies that he is aware that those who are supposedly his allies have committed acts of treachery, such as Goneril's betrayal of Lear, and that he realizes that people have good reason not to trust them. Albany also shows that he is willing to force others to realize the evils they have committed. For example, he states to Goneril: "...read your evil./ No tears, lady. I have a feeling you know." (V. iii. 181-182). This concerns the fact that she was aware of Edmund's deception, but was still allied with him. Most evident is Albany's pursuit of justice in the quote: "All friends shall taste the wages of their virtue" (V. iii. 366-367). This signifies his belief that those who commit noble deeds will be rewarded, as well as his belief that all criminals will receive punishment. The latter is shown in the verse: "... and all enemies the cup of their merit" (V. iii. 367-368). This unshakable faith in the ultimate implementation of justice is legitimate, as it is consistent with how he acts throughout the work. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayAlbany is the literary representation of an ideal that is sorely lacking in society: the hero. In him are found the typical qualities of a hero, such as the ability to be objective and neutral, the power to show empathy and concern for others, and the obligatory fight for justice. Unfortunately, hero status is carelessly given to Edgar, or at least that's the common perception. This is probably only true because Edgar puts it into action.