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whiteangel
whiteangel
Student

What can we say about the language used by Lear, Regan, Cordelia and Goneril in the act I, scene 1 of "King Lear"?

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Posted by whiteangel on Friday November 21, 2008 at 1:49 AM and tagged with act i, characters, king lear, language.

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  1. michael336 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    The scene begins with Lear speaking strictly as a king, rather than asa a father. Regan and Goneril, likewise, approach their father as dutiful yet obesequious subjects. No true love or affection is present. The insincerity of both sides is evident.

    The insincerity of the two oldest daughters is self-serving, but also evinces their belief in the instability of Lear. They choose to take advantage of that instability to gain the upper hand, both against Lear and against each other.

    Cordelia, on the other, speak with sincerity though plainly. Though her love is greater than she has stated, she nevertheless does not prefaricate for her own advantage. This in turn breaks through Lear's "kingliness" to show him as, yes unstable, but also vulnerable to being hurt. In a life dealing successfully with foes, he his brought low by his own daughter's seemingly lack of love.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/kl/

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    Posted by michael336 on Friday November 21, 2008 at 3:28 AM

  2. yousralamis
    yousralamis Student
    Graduate School

    What can we say about the language used by Lear, Regan, Cordelia and Goneril in the act I, scene 1 of "King Lear"?

     

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    Posted by yousralamis on Saturday November 29, 2008 at 10:17 AM