Comparative Essay Inferno and King Lear In Dante Alighieri's poem Inferno and William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear, the common theme of justice plays a vital role in both literary pieces. Often depicting just and ironic punishments suited to the crime, both pieces focus on the eventual consequences of one's actions towards others, which can lead to the person's death or the eternal damnation in which they await. Throughout King Lear, King Lear's arrogance in not recognizing Cordelia's unconditional love leads to her sudden death. Throughout Inferno Alighieri alludes to somewhat ironic and just forms of punishment punishing the souls of Hell such as twisting the heads of those who have predicted the future so that they then only see what is behind them. The eventual realization of Lear and Dante both depict the self-realization in which both protagonists perceive. Although Dante can ultimately change the outcome of his current spiritual righteousness, the repentant King Lear can only watch as his demonstrated actions result in the ultimate destruction of his idyllic plan. The similar theme of justice in Hell and King Lear both describe the eventual consequence. of one's actions throughout one's existence. Often causing more harm than good, the actions they take tend to harm them more than the action itself. In William Shakespeare's King Lear, King Lear decides to disown Cordelia, the youngest of three daughters, from owning any part of his kingdom due to the fact that Lear wanted to see which daughter loved him the most, to which Cordelia replied, "Unhappy that I am, I cannot lift my heart into my mouth: I love your majesty according to my bond; neither more nor less.” (Shakespeare 9) Although C...... half of the paper ...... the fact that Cordelia is dead and the pain and guilt of her actions killed her daughter, is the catalyst for her apparent death throughout the works of famous literary works such as Dante Alighieri's Inferno and William Shakespeare's King Lear. the common theme of justice is prevalent throughout the works, often causing physical pain, the concept of justice in these two literary works reinforces the brutal and cruel perspective that Dante and King Lear experience first hand after Cordelia's death demonstrates the supreme guilt that King Lear experienced due to his arrogant and ignorant perception of the amount of love Cordelia feels towards her father. Dante's journey into the afterlife conveys the illumination of his transformation from a sinner who has lost his way, to a spiritually righteous man.