King Lear -first scene-

Lear was an English king in Shakespeare's play, "King Lear". King Lear thought it was better for his kingdom to be divided among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. He wanted to enjoy his title as a king but without the responsibilities of a king. But before distributing his lands among his three daughters, he asked them about their love for him and decided that the one who loved him most would receive the best lands.

Act 1,
Scene 1 King Lear's palace

King
Lear:

Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where nature doth with merit challenge.

His eldest daughter Goneril
deceived him with her exaggerated love words in order to get the best land. She
told him she loved him more than words can describe and dearer than liberty and
eyesight. However, she didn't truely love her father.



Act 1,
Scene 1 King Lear's palace

GONERIL

Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter
Dearer than eye-sight,
space, and liberty
Beyond what can be
valued, rich or rare
No less than life, with
grace, health, beauty, honour
As much as child e'er
loved, or father found
A love that makes breath
poor, and speech unable
Beyond all manner of so
much I love you

Lear was so pleased with her words
and gave her a wonderful land of his kingdom.

Then he asked his daughter Regan
about her love for him. She told him she loved him as much as her sister did
but the words were too short to describe her love for him.

Act 1,
Scene 1 King Lear's palace
REGAN

Sir, I am made
Of the self-same metal
that my sister is
And prize me at her
worth. In my true heart
I find she names my very
deed of love
Only she comes too short:
that I profess
Myself an enemy to all
other joys
Which the most precious square of sense possesses
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness'
love

Lear also believed her and with a
great joy he gave her another piece of his kingdom.

Then it was Cordelia's (Lear's youngest and favorite daughter) turn to express her love for her father. She
didn't want to say exaggerated words about her love for her father. She was
honest and faithful and preferred to show her love than talk about it. She told
him that she loved him as a daughter should love her father.

Act 1, Scene 1 King Lear's palace
Cordelia:

My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty
According to my bond; nor more nor less.

She also told him that he gave her
life and education and it was her duty to obey him and love him.


Act 1,
Scene 1 King Lear's palace
Cordelia:

Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I
Return those duties back as are right fit,
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.


Lear wasn't impressed by
Cordelia's words of love. He grew furious and decided to disown her. Lear misjudged
Cordelia. He judged his daughters according to their words not their real
characters.

Kent tried to defense Cordelia. He believed that
Cordelia's words were not empty of love. But Lear was so angry and banished Kent for standing
against his choice.

Then Lear gave Cordelia to The
king of France (who loved her even more for her noble mind) without Lear's love and without
any land or money with her.


Lear was completely blind to the truth because Cordelia was his favorite at the beginning of the play. He
misjudged them all. He banished who cared for him and rewarded those who used false words to deceive him.



That was my opinion I'm waiting 4 yours