Thursday, September 30, 2010

King Lear: Sisters Speeches Act 1, scene 1

Goneril:
Sir, I love you more than words...
Dearer than eye-sight,...
Beyond what can be valued...
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor...
A love that makes breath poor...

Here, Goneril is saying that she loves her father more than words can express. She flatters him by saying his love is worth more to her than virtues such as honor, beauty, and grace. Also, that she loves him more than her sight or freedom (liberty).

Regan:
I am made of the self-same metal that my sister is...
Only she comes too short...
Myself an enemy to all other joys,
Which the most precious square of sense possesses...

Here, Regan is appealing to her fathers' ego by claiming that she loves him even more than her sister does. She says that no other joy can delight her as much as the happiness she receives from loving her father.

Cordelia:
Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty
According to my bond; no more nor less.

Cordelia responds to her father with a true evaluation of her love. She is grateful and loves him as a daughter is supposed to love a father, 'no more nor less'. Although she loves him more than her sisters do, her honor prevents her from falsely flattering him to gain his wealth.

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