The concept of absolute monarchy comes into existence during the early seventeenth century. For England at this time, the Tudor dynasty ends, while the Stuarts begin theirs. However, it is the latter dynasty that brings the concept into mainstream politics, because early Stuart political discourse can indeed be read as containing defences of absolutism (Burgess 19). James I is the first king of the Stuart line and the first to practice absolute monarchy. It is said of him at the time that James [I] described [sic] his ideal form of government . . . from which he sought [sic] to justify his own absolute authority and power . . . hence he was [sic] to be free and absolute, to be the law in and of his kingdom (Jordan 15). In coincidence, the beginning of James reign coincides within the same time Shakespeare wrote King Lear. In his play, several scenes link together, showing that even though the king supposedly gave up his job, he cannot escape the fact that he is king and will be until his death. These scenes exemplify certain aspects of absolute monarchy. Indeed, the seventeenth century theory of absolute monarchy provides evidence that, although King Lear bestows his role as king to others, he ultimately retains the absolute power and behavior of a monarch in Shakespeares famous tragedy.As a result of Lear holding on to his power, in the first scene of the play he does not take off his royal crown. Furthermore, Lear states, The name, and all thaddition to a king: the sway, / Revenue, execution of the rest, / Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm, / This coronet part between you (Shakespeare I. i.136-139). Thus, Lear moves the power from his hands to those of his sons-in-law, Cornwall and Albany. The coronet is the visual symbol of this exchange. However, notice that it is a coronet and not Lears royal crown that is used. Foakes is the one to point out that: some have thought that when Lear offers a coronet to Cornwall...
