HBO’s Succession Season 4 Finale is a Modern Shakespearen Tragedy at its Finest
In the realm of television dramas, HBO’s critically acclaimed series Succession has captured audiences with its ruthless portrayal of the Roy family and their relentless pursuit of power within the media empire they control.
Created by Jesse Armstrong, Succession presents a gripping narrative that delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, corporate power struggles, and the Shakespearean nature of human ambition.
It has been several hours since finale episode aired and I could not stop myself to draw many parallels with The King’s Lear by Willian Shakespeare.
Although this script is completely original, humane, tragic and humours at its core but we can surely sense the underneath layers where it might true to have some parallels with King’s Lear.
The Tragedy of King Lear: An Eternal Tale of Power and Betrayal
Shakespeare’s King Lear tells the tragic story of a once-great monarch who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their professions of love.
The play explores themes of family, greed, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. Likewise, Succession revolves around Logan Roy, the patriarch of the Roy family, as he navigates the treacherous waters of succession planning for his media conglomerate, Waystar Royco.
Logan Roy as King Lear:
In Succession, Logan Roy is the embodiment of King Lear. Just like Lear, Logan is a powerful and influential figure, accustomed to having his every whim catered to.
He displays an insatiable desire for control, which ultimately becomes his tragic flaw. As he ages, Logan’s vulnerability and fear of losing power drive him to make questionable decisions, alienating those closest to him.
