Family Relationships Term paper

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Family relationships is a big issue in the play King Lear. Like any family, King Lear and Gloucester believed they had perfect families. Both fathers had a false sense of love, and throughout the play, they became aware of the deceit and greed within both their families. Gloucester is told of Edgar's plot against him and Lear divides his kingdom so; "that future strife may be prevented now" between Gonerill and Regan (Act 1 Scene 1).

There is a strong focus on the bonds that the daughters and sons have with their father. Although the bond seems strong; it begins to unravel in the first scene when Lear banishes Cordelia, "Therefore be gone, without our grace, our love, our benison." (Act 1 Scene 1). The tension is prevalent amongst family members in Act 3 when it is mirrored by the storms.

Greed was prevalent throughout the entire play. Great resentment, generates from each daughter of Lear and son of Gloucester. Gonerill used her exaggerated speech to receive her riches:

Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter,

Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;

Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare,....

A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;

Beyond all manner of so much I love you (Act 1 Scene 1).

In Act 1 Scene 1, Regan also claims that her greatest joy is her father's love:

I am made of that self-mettle as my sister

And prize me at her worth. In my true heart

I find she names my very deed of love.

Only she come to short,.......

And find that I am alone felicitate

In you dear highness' love.

Lear's mistake was to divide his kingdom between two greedy women who cared only of wealth and power. Lear shows an attitude of their love when he rates Regan's and Gonerill's affection according to the number of his servants that they are willing to give him. Whoever accepts the larger number must love him the most: "Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, and thou art twice her love."

Once they received what they wanted, they saw no importance for their father. This is evident in Act 1 Scene 4, where the king begins noticing the disrespect being shown towards him and his soldiers. King Lear in his old age expected to be cared for by his daughters after he has given up his power, he had hoped to live with Cordelia: "I loved her most, and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery." (Act 1 Scene 1).

Lear's madness and his growing awareness for everyone's needs, helps him to become aware of the love Cordelia has for him. Eventually Lear is healed by Cordelia's love.

Unlike Lear, Gloucesters riches could only be received after his death.

Edmond is regarded as inferior because his parents were not married. He complains about his treatment as a ‘bastard' or illegitimate child. In Shakespeare's day there was a stigma attached to children born outside of marriage. In Act 1 Scene 2 Edmond talks about the treatment he receives:

Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law

My services are bound. Wherefore should I

Stand in the...

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