Matthew Li
ENG4U1
Dr. K
September 15, 2008
Dynamics of the “Love Contest”
Nowadays, to live a life is just like a contest between you and other people on this planet, because people often do things for a scheme in order to reach their goal. In King Lear, this is demonstrated starting from the abdication of the king, then reveals the extravagant love from the two daughters of Lear: Goneril and Regan, the tragic flaws and Lear’s own nature.
Goneril and Regan start the play by showing the evilness in their mind, and direct readers’ attention to the unfilial behavior who had protested a extravagant love for Lear and yet are already beginning to scheme against him. “Sir I love you more than words can wield the…unable, Beyond all manner of so much I love you.”(1.1.54-60) Lear is completely blinded by these exaggerated words by Goneril, which eventually lead to the banishment of Kent, and the disown of Cordelia, who refuses to speak when Lear commands his daughters to say which of them loves him the most, and promises to give the greatest share to that daughter. There is a contrast that is shown by comparing the words of Goneril and Cordelia. “Unhappy that I am, I can’t heave my heart into my mouth.”(1.1.90-91) By looking at what Lear does after recognizing the contrast, reveals the tragic flaws and Lear’s own nature.
Lear’s rashness and unruly temper are shown by the faulty judgments in banishing Cordelia’s and Kent’s honesty. “Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath…rest on her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight!”(1.1.120-123) His egotistical nature is shown clearly by making insane decisions like that, because he is kicking away people who are honest and truly loves him, but offering his land to his two unfilial daughters: Goneril and Regan, although they recognize that they now have complete power over the kingdom, they agree that they must act to reduce their father’s remaining authority. “There is further compliments of...