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king lear5

king lear5 King Lear, by William Shakespeare, is a tragic tale of filial conflict, personal transformation, and loss. The story revolves around the King who foolishly alienates his only truly devoted daughter and realizes too late the true nature of his other two daughters. The play begins with Lear, an old king ready for retirement, preparing to divide the kingdom among his three daughters. Lear has his daughters compete for their inheritance by judging who can proclaim their love for him in the grandest possible fashion. King Lear had three daughters-Regan, Goneril and Cordelia. Regan was one of the two "evil" sisters in the play who lavish Lear with praise to receive power and land. “I am made of that self mettle as my sister, and prize me at her worth.” –Regan (Act I, Scene I, Lines 69-70.) Speaking after Goneril she attempts to tell King Lear she loves him most, but ironically she is the first to openly betray him. At that time, Regan is married to the Duke of Cornwall. Goneril was the other "evil" sister. She and Regan play a critical role in both the tragedy, and the driving Lear insane. And at that time, she is married to the Duke of Albany. Cordelia was the youngest of Lear's daughters. She was Lear's favorite, and is the one that truly loves Lear the most. Unfortunately, her honesty costs her own inheritance. “From whom we do exist and cease to be, here I disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity, and property of blood, and as a stranger to my heart and me hold three from this forever.” – Lear (Act I, Scene I, Lines 113-115.) Cordelia finds that she is unable to show her love with mere words: "What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent."-Cordelia (Act I, scene I, Lines 63-64.) Cordelia's nature is such that she is unable to engage in even so forgivable a deception as to satisfy an old king's vanity and pride, as we see again in the following quotation: “Then poor Cordelia! And not so, since I am sure my love's more ponderous than my tongue." -Cordelia (Act I, Scene I, Lines 78-80.) Cordelia clearly loves her father, and yet realizes that her honesty will not please him. Her nature is too good to allow even the slightest deviation from her morals. She unfortunately, is unwilling to lie to her father. She will not allow herself to behave in the way her sisters did. She simply states that she loves Lear as much as any daughter should, no more, no less as she says “Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your majesty according to my bond, no more no less.”-Cordelia (Act I, Scene I, Lines 100-103.) Since Cordelia did not want to please her father as her sisters did, he thoughtlessly decides to give no land to her and essentially banishes her from his site. At this time, The Duke of Burgundy, loses all interest in the powerless daughter. He cannot take Cordelia with those conditions. “Pardon me, royal sir; elections makes not up on such conditions.” –Burgundy (Act I, Scene I, Lines 210-211.) The King of France recognizes Cordelia's virtues and takes her even without any land. He says he will marry her and make her the Queen of France. Lear sends her away without his blessing. “My love should kindle to inflamed respect. Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, is queen of us, of ours, and ours, and our fair France.” –France (Act I, Scene I, Lines 261-263.) As well as the King of France, Kent sees Cordelia’s virtues and truthfulness. The loyal Kent attempts to change Lear's mind with blunt honesty, but is banished for contradicting Lear's proclamation. Kent steps in to support Cordelia's behavior but Lear will hear none of it. “ That good effects may spring from words of love. Thus Kent, O Princes, bids you all adieu; He’ll shape his old course in a century new.” –Kent (Act I, Scene I, Lines 190-192.) Insulted by Kent's opposition, Lear banishes him from the kingdom. King Lear does not want Kent to become between his daughters and him. “Peace, Kent. Come not between the dragon and his wrath.”-King Lear (Act I, Scene I, Lines 135-136.) All that Kent wants to do is make peace between Lear and Cordelia. After this scene, Goneril and Regan plan together in secrecy. Although they now have complete power over the kingdom, they agree that they must do something to reduce their father's remaining authority. Goneril is refusing to respond to the needs of the King and his entourage. She is calling the shots now and King Lear is never to regain control again. Goneril views her father as an old fool, which she refers to him as an “Idle old man.” –Goneril (Act I, Scene III, Line 17.) Lear quickly learns that he has made a bad decision. His older daughters, Regan and Goneril, quickly begin to undermine the little authority Lear still upholds. Unable to believe this betrayal by his beloved daughters, Lear slowly goes insane. Regan and Goneril aren’t the only ones who have betrayed and been evil to. Edmund is another person who is pure evil. Edmund betrays his brother Edgar by writing a letter forging his signature. “This is the excellent foppery of the world, that when we are sick in fortune Bibliography:

Word Count: 903