John Florio's English translation of Michel de Montaigne's Essays was published in 1603. William Shakespeare's King Lear was written between 1604 and 1605, after he had written Othello and before writing Macbeth. The extremely close relationship between Essays and King Lear has led many to believe that Montaigne had a major influence on the work. It has been noted by critics that King Lear contains more than a hundred words that Shakespeare had never used before, words that can be found in the Essays. Furthermore, many themes addressed by Montaigne in the Essays play a vital role in King Lear. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayA common theme in the two works is the conflict between nature and culture, between the natural state of humanity and the state that culture has imposed on it. Montaigne underlines his preference for the natural from the beginning. In "To the Reader," he writes: If my aim had been to seek the favor of the world, I would have worn more elegant clothes and presented myself in a studied attitude. But I want to appear in my simple, natural and everyday dress, without effort or artifice; because it is myself that I portray. (p. 23)Montaigne offers clothing as a metaphor for culture, a metaphor he uses often throughout the book. Just as clothing hides the body, culture hides the true self. Montaigne's "essays", which literally mean "attempts", are his attempts to find the truth. Nature is closer to truth than the artifice of culture. Culture can also distort our view of reality, which Montaigne notes in "On Cannibals": Now, to return to my subject, I do not believe, from what I have been told about these people, that there is anything barbaric or what is savage in them, except that we all call barbaric everything that is contrary to our habits. Indeed it seems that we have no other criterion of truth and reason than the type and type of opinions and customs current in the country in which we live. (pp. 108-109) It is important that Montaigne consistently uses “we” instead of a more universal word like “people.” “We” refers to those in his society whose views have been tainted by culture, those who have bastardized natural virtues “and adapted them only to the gratification of our corrupt taste.” (109) In contrast to harsh words like "bastardized," Montaigne uses glowing words when describing cannibals; their values ​​are "the true, the most useful and the natural". (109) Montaigne goes on to describe an almost utopian society that others might dismiss as barbaric. In "On Experience", Montaigne almost completely dismisses culture, stating that man's attention should be directed to himself and not to other matters. King Lear also deals heavily with the idea that culture is unnecessary and troublesome. In Act II, scene 4, King Lear says, “O reason, not want!” Our vilest beggars are in the poorest superfluity. Do not allow nature more than what nature needs, the life of man is as valuable as that of beasts. (264-67)Lear says this to his daughters Regan and Goneril, because culture has made them lose sight of the truth and what is most important; they are ferociously driven by their greed. For example, Regan uses the word “need” when she says, “What need is there?” in line 263, but Lear points out that the followers he speaks of are in no way a necessity. “Base” is also an important word; is used to refer to the uncivilized in a negative tone. Edmund, for example, complains about being called a bastard, and repeatedly uses the word "vile": "Why do they brand us/With vile? With vileness? Vile bastard? Vile?" (I.2, 10) Shakespeare's message, however, is.