The fracturing of the kingdom into three and it’s poor state help Goneril and Regan to further paint a façade that Lear is easily misled by. Therefore, the craftiness and desire for power from both Goneril and Regan are clearly shown when they both shower King Lear with praises. Goneril goes first and says, “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter” (1.1.55). It is interesting when Goneril addresses her father as sir, as it shows a divide between Lear and his daughters; similarly, Regan calls Lear highness and Cordelia calls him lord. The use of these titles shows that they have a formal relationship. Lear is unable to see through the façade of cordiality and “love” that his daughters created. Meanwhile, Lear’s preoccupation with
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It also shows Goneril’s attempt to shower Lear with praises in order to blind him to her ulterior motives; also she compares her “love” to more than a child has ever loved. This comparison seems to indicate adoration as well as love. Love is in quotes as she just uses Lear to achieve the power that she and Regan crave. Regan, in response to her father …show more content…
By saying, “only she comes too short,” she indicates that only her love is the greatest and that Goneril does not love him or value him as much as she does. The dynamic between Goneril and Regan can be seen here, as they will do anything to gain more power and standing in Lear’s eyes. Their intent is to rise above in standing over Cordelia, who Lear describes as “our joy” and the “to whose young love/The vines of France and milk of Burgundy/Strive to be interessed,” as whether Lear likes them results in how much land that they are given (1.1.82) and (1.1.83-85). Another example of Goneril and Regan’s ulterior motives and their collusion is seen when Goneril says to Regan, “Pray you let us hit together; if/our father carry authority with such disposition as he/bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us” (1.308-310). Here, “hit” means consult. Therefore, Regan and Goneril’s actions are more clearly seen here to be representing their collusion together in order to undermine Lear in their quest for power. Through this interaction, it more clearly shows that their professed love towards Lear was just a farce, meant to win his trust in order to gain
It also shows Goneril’s attempt to shower Lear with praises in order to blind him to her ulterior motives; also she compares her “love” to more than a child has ever loved. This comparison seems to indicate adoration as well as love. Love is in quotes as she just uses Lear to achieve the power that she and Regan crave. Regan, in response to her father …show more content…
By saying, “only she comes too short,” she indicates that only her love is the greatest and that Goneril does not love him or value him as much as she does. The dynamic between Goneril and Regan can be seen here, as they will do anything to gain more power and standing in Lear’s eyes. Their intent is to rise above in standing over Cordelia, who Lear describes as “our joy” and the “to whose young love/The vines of France and milk of Burgundy/Strive to be interessed,” as whether Lear likes them results in how much land that they are given (1.1.82) and (1.1.83-85). Another example of Goneril and Regan’s ulterior motives and their collusion is seen when Goneril says to Regan, “Pray you let us hit together; if/our father carry authority with such disposition as he/bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us” (1.308-310). Here, “hit” means consult. Therefore, Regan and Goneril’s actions are more clearly seen here to be representing their collusion together in order to undermine Lear in their quest for power. Through this interaction, it more clearly shows that their professed love towards Lear was just a farce, meant to win his trust in order to gain