King Lear Traits

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From the start of the play, King Lear demonstrates the opposing personality traits of tremendous love, and hatred towards his youngest daughter, whom he loves the most. During the dinner when King Lear announces the split of his land between his three daughters, he first shows a tender love for Cordelia, which transitions into a denouncement of her as his rightful daughter. "To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferred on Goneril.—But now, our joy, Although our last and least, to whose young love" (1.1.79-86). In this quote, King Lear expresses how he is willing to give his kingdom to his youngest daughter, and shows his love for her by calling her her his "joy." …show more content…
This tremendous love, however, transitions into hate shortly after, when Cordelia refuses to make a grand speech confessing her love for her father. Upon hearing that she will not do as he pleases, Lear states, "The barbarous Scythian, Or he that makes his generation messes To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom Be as well neighbored, pitied, and relieved As thou my sometime daughter" (1.1.117-122). This quote demonstrates how Lear lashes out at his youngest daughter, calling her a "Scythian," and denounces her as his former daughter. Lear reveals an unexpected internal hatred for his daughter after she simply does not meet his request, revealing his true narcissistic personality. Due to his opposing personality traits, Lear, in a very brief amount of time, transitions from a loving father to a hateful old

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