Yet, because of Kent’s success in appearing as an honest and loyal man to the King, he forgoes further questioning. Other than one curious question but another presumably lower ranking man, Kent’s telling of events is unquestioned by Lear. In these moments Kent’s true ability as a dissembler is clearly shown. So although at face failure Kent appears to be completely loyal to Lear, he is in fact serving some other purpose. One that increase the instability between the royal family and therefore the hereditary line of succession.
Even with Kent’s meddling and sabotage between Lear and Goneril and Regan, the relationship between Lear and his two remaining heirs is strained at best. Goneril and Regan have grown must of their life with the clear knowledge that Lear favors their sister Cordelia, they have a more strained …show more content…
Kent makes the cryptic comment of, “I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; / My master calls me, I must not say no” (5.3.323-324). Although most scholars assume that Kent means he is off to die to be with Kent, with the oast evidence that Kent is not truly loyal to Lear it would then beg the question of, who is Kent’s master? It is this question, and the past view and evidence on Kent that might then lead readers to question the role that the King of France held in this play. Although rarely on scene, the King’s influence might be seen in the details. The King had been at court off and on in order to try to woo Cordelia as seen when Lear states that, “The Princes, France and Burgundy, / Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love, / Long in court have made their amorous sojourn, / And here are to be answered” (1.147-50). The time that the King of France spent at the English court could have given him plenty of opportunities to talk to Kent and to gain his trust and
Even with Kent’s meddling and sabotage between Lear and Goneril and Regan, the relationship between Lear and his two remaining heirs is strained at best. Goneril and Regan have grown must of their life with the clear knowledge that Lear favors their sister Cordelia, they have a more strained …show more content…
Kent makes the cryptic comment of, “I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; / My master calls me, I must not say no” (5.3.323-324). Although most scholars assume that Kent means he is off to die to be with Kent, with the oast evidence that Kent is not truly loyal to Lear it would then beg the question of, who is Kent’s master? It is this question, and the past view and evidence on Kent that might then lead readers to question the role that the King of France held in this play. Although rarely on scene, the King’s influence might be seen in the details. The King had been at court off and on in order to try to woo Cordelia as seen when Lear states that, “The Princes, France and Burgundy, / Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love, / Long in court have made their amorous sojourn, / And here are to be answered” (1.147-50). The time that the King of France spent at the English court could have given him plenty of opportunities to talk to Kent and to gain his trust and