* The conflict between appearance and reality. Lear's tragedy is in part due to his inability to see the true nature of his daughters. He is blinded by their flattery and fails to recognize their true greed and selfishness. This theme is also explored in the character of Edmund, who uses his smooth-talking and deceit to rise to power.
* The importance of love and loyalty. Lear's story is a cautionary tale about the importance of valuing love and loyalty over material wealth and power. Lear forsakes his youngest daughter, Cordelia, because she refuses to flatter him, and as a result he loses everything that is truly valuable in life.
* The corrupting influence of power. The play explores the corrupting influence of power on both individuals and society as a whole. Lear's unchecked power makes him cruel, tyrannical, and ultimately self-destructive. Albany and Cornwall, two of Lear's sons-in-law, also become corrupted by their power, using it to commit atrocities against their enemies.
* The human capacity for forgiveness and redemption. Despite the play's tragic ending, there is also hope for redemption in King Lear. Cordelia forgives her father for his cruelty, and Kent and Albany remain loyal to him even in his darkest moments. These characters' actions demonstrate that even in the midst of tragedy, there is still room for forgiveness and redemption.
* The conflict between good and evil. The play presents a moral universe in which good and evil are clearly defined and opposed. Characters such as Cordelia, Edgar, and Kent represent good, while characters such as Goneril, Regan, and Edmund represent evil. The play suggests that the forces of good will eventually triumph over the forces of evil, but only after a great deal of suffering and loss.