King Lear Group

Question:

bowlingkid09
bowlingkid09
Student
College - Junior

In "King Lear", why does Lear ask the Duke of Burgundy if he wants to marry Cordelia before he asks the King of France?

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Posted by bowlingkid09 on Wednesday December 3, 2008 at 10:36 AM and tagged with cordelia, king lear.

Answers:


  1. enotechris Teacher
    Vocational

    eNotes Editor

    In the context of the play, there is no reason; Lear could have just as easily asked France first, but had Shakespeare written that so, France would have accepted Cordelia and the scene would be concluded. Having Burgundy reject her first establishes contrast between the two rulers. Shakespeare parallels this action with his having Lear divest himself to the first 2 daughters first to provide contrast when Cordelia speaks.

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    Posted by enotechris on Thursday December 4, 2008 at 2:45 PM