Power, Family, and Tragedy

Throughout history, stories about power, family, and succession have dominated human narratives.

From ancient tales to modern dramas, these themes continue to resonate deeply with audiences. One such contemporary masterpiece that echoes these motifs is HBO’s ‘Succession.’ Drawing remarkable parallels with one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, ‘King Lear,’ ‘Succession’ uses the lens of a media conglomerate family to explore power dynamics and human frailty, much like Shakespeare did in his timeless play.

Drawing Parallels between HBO’s ‘Succession’ and Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’

The Patriarchs

Logan Roy and King Lear

At the heart of both narratives are powerful aging patriarchs — Logan Roy in ‘Succession’ and King Lear in Shakespeare’s play. These characters set the stage for the stories’ conflicts with their decision to divide their empire among their offspring. While Lear’s kingdom is literal, Logan’s is a vast media and entertainment conglomerate, Waystar Royco. Both patriarchs wield their power capriciously, often favoring the child who best flatters them or serves their immediate needs. As their stories progress, both are also shown to be men more wedded to power and control than their own children’s well-being, ultimately leading to familial chaos and conflict.

The Successors

Kendall, Shiv, and Roman Roy and Lear’s Daughters

In both ‘Succession’ and ‘King Lear,’ the children of the patriarchs are caught in a vicious struggle for power and approval.

Kendall Roy’s arc closely mirrors that of Edgar, the legitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester in ‘King Lear.’ Both are dutiful, loyal, and initially favored for succession. However, they are pushed to their limits by their family’s machinations and experience a personal fall from grace — Kendall’s failed coup against his father and Edgar’s framing by his illegitimate brother Edmund for treason. Their stories are marked by personal tragedies and a struggle for redemption.

Shiv Roy shares traits with both of Lear’s elder daughters, Regan and Goneril. Like them, she is a woman navigating a male-dominated world. Sharp, manipulative, and ambitious, Shiv is not afraid to assert her power and manipulate situations to her advantage, much like Lear’s daughters who plot to usurp their father’s power.

Roman Roy is the show’s jester, his character bearing semblance to Edmund, Gloucester’s illegitimate son. Both characters, while being close to the seat of power, are somewhat sidelined in terms of succession. They’re known for their humorous nonchalance and propensity for scheming, with complex relationships with their siblings.

The Outsiders

Tom Wambsgans and Oswald; Connor Roy and The Fool

Tom Wambsgans in ‘Succession’ could be likened to Oswald, Goneril’s steward, in ‘King Lear.’ Both characters, as outsiders married or serving into powerful families, must navigate the ruthless dynamics of their situations. They often bear the brunt of their spouse’s or master’s manipulations, adding a layer of tragedy to their characters.

Connor Roy, the eldest and often overlooked Roy sibling, might parallel the Fool in ‘King Lear.’ Despite his desire for power and respect, Connor is frequently dismissed as a fool by his family, much like the Fool in ‘King Lear.’ However, both characters often offer unconventional wisdom that underscores the tragedies unfolding around them.

Conclusion

Echoes of Tragedy and Power

‘Succession’ is not a direct adaptation of ‘King Lear,’ but the echoes are hard to ignore. Both stories use the framework of a family and an empire to explore the nature of power, the tragedies that unfold due to human frailty, and the often devastating consequences of familial conflict and ambition. The characters in both narratives, while caught in the machinations of power and succession, are ultimately victims of their own ambitions and insecurities. They offer a timeless exploration of the human condition when power and family intersect.

Whether through the lens of a kingdom in medieval Britain or a media empire in modern America, these narratives remain a poignant reflection of our society’s struggle with power, ambition, and the often-destructive dynamics within families. By drawing these parallels, we gain a deeper understanding of these timeless themes and their continued relevance in today’s world.