The "Kinglier" King Lear

While reading King Lear has been a difficult task, I have muscled through a few acts and wish to discuss what has been going through my mind. The normal Shakespeare reaction of my time is usually, what is he trying to say? I must admit, reading this Shakespeare play has not been as difficult as previous plays, although I still have a difficult time understanding EVERYTHING, I do believe I get the jest of the story… Within the 1st Act, King Lear demands that his daughters profess their undying love for him in order to appease his dwindling faith in his own self. He has 3 daughters, Goneril – the eldest of the three, Regan – the middle child, and Cordelia - his favorite and the youngest of the three. Goneril and Regan are the only two that provide answers to the question “How much do you love me (King Lear)?” When asking this question, I thought to myself, why would a parent want his children to do that? Immediately it seemed to me that he was somehow disconnected from his children… Goneril goes first as she is the eldest and seemingly most cunning. Of the things that she says, “A love that makes... speech unable, beyond all manner of so much I love you…” is the part that sticks out the most to me. The reason being is because at this point, in his right mind, King Lear should have been able to pick apart the fact that she said absolutely nothing… A love that makes speech unable? Then go right behind that and say even though there is nothing I can say, all I can really say is that I Love You… Sounds like the same answer the youngest daughter gives… Hmm… Regan follows suit by saying, “I find she (Goneril) names my very deed of love… only she comes too short…” I point out these two lines because, as the story unfolds, this is the first time the reader has an opportunity to actually see each of the sisters for who they really are. I pull from these the true essence of their character. The youngest, Cordelia, does not choose to respond with such embellishment. She simply states that she loves her father as much as a daughter should love a father. Having already been upstaged, there really was no more “bull-ish” that could have fit in the room… She takes it a step further and states that if her sisters loved their father as much as they say, they would have no husband… Having heard all responses the King banishes the youngest daughter and separates his 3 divisions of land amongst the 2 older daughters because their “answers” were better. I think that it made him feel like he still had an effect on his children, when in fact, all they truly wanted to do was gain control of his land and find a way to move him out of power. And with the youngest daughter banished, it was easier and they had no one protecting/looking out for his best interest.