The Importance Of Power In Shakespeare's King Lear

The first act promptly begins with Lear’s surprising announcement about relinquishing his power to his three daughters. He pledges “our largest bounty may extend” (1.1.57) to whomever loves him the most. Beginning with Lear’s major discourse throughout the play, we get the sense that power is the dominant force that's at the centre of this family. Lear states first “to shake all cares and business from our [Lear’s] age”(1.1.41) and then taking that boundless power to his children, where he can distribute the lands at his own will. Lear’s current position as king conjointly brings Lear the power to own the love and words of praise from his power thirsty daughters, Goneril and Regan. This further depicts no matter how Lear sees his role as a father; to him, it is nothing more than his job of holding and then transferring his power whereas love is usually solely a repercussion of his power. …show more content…
Lear’s ability to get his daughters to love and respect him is greatly diminished by this, therefore, Lear denounces Cordelia’s portion of his land and states “disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity, and property of blood.” (1.1.125) The moment Lear loses his powers over daughters, the relationship between them also breaks apart as a result of power and paternal relations tangled here. When Cordelia chose to say nothing, it didn’t mean that Cordelia’s love for Lear is none existent, but rather it is a real expression of paternal love and respect wherever flattery and compliment isn't needed to indicate one’s love. Lear misinterprets this, and states “nothing will come out of nothing”(1.1.99), Cordelia, refuses to glorify her father just to get land and power. Lear’s blindness further extends to his inability to tell the difference between true love and therefore the diluded speeches created by Goneril and