Themes from Leading Men The act of creating and developing a character called characterization not only establishes a character, but serves as a means for the author to reveal the themes of the play. "A literary character is the invention of the author, and often inventions are indebted to prior inven-tions"(Kirsch 236). Therefore, through characterization many common themes repeat with in an author's literary col-lection. Shakespeare is the inventor of many characters and throughout his …showed first 75 words of 1370 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1370 total…Inc., 1957. Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.,1994. Stuart, Betty Kantor. "Truth and Tragedy in King Lear." Shakespeare Quarterly 18(1967): 167-180. Bibliography Paris, Bernard J. "Bargains with Fate: The Case of Macbeth." American Journal of Psychoanalysis 42(1982): 7-20. Rosinger, Lawrence. "Gloucester and Lear: Men who act like Gods." ELH 35(1968):491-504. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 1957. Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.,1994. Stuart, Betty Kantor. "Truth and Tragedy in King Lear." Shakespeare Quarterly