King Lear--a Man More Sinned A

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

him before. In Act 1, Scene 4, Goneril complains about Lear’s impulsive behaviour and constant moodswing:
“…and put away
These dispositions which of late transport you
From what you rightly are.” (I, iii, 217-219)
Telling her father what he ought to do is thought of as disgracing her father during those times. A child is supposed to demonstrate strict obedience towards his parents. In addition, Goneril criticizes her father’s entourage vehemently :
“…this your all-licensed fool,
But other of your insolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be endured riots.” (I, iv, 197-200)
The King’s knights represented his status as king and criticizing them is an insult to Lear’s ego. On top of the criticism, Goneril also asks that Lear reduces his number of knights:
“A little to disquantity your train,
And the reminders that shall still depend
To be such men as may besort ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

141-143)
Kent is one of Lear’s most trusted servants. Instead of trying to insult Kent, Cornwall and Regan’s main purpose was to challenge the king’s authority. They didn’t bother to pay the slightest hint of respect to the King. Goneril and Regan have paired up with one another to rebel against his own father, which is opposite to the tradition belief that children should comply with their parents with complete obedience. The final straw came when Lear found out about Kent’s imprisonment and was enraged. Regan had told him to return to Goneril and beg for her forgiveness for being impudent. Lear, being tossed around like a ball by his two daughters, ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: