In the first two scenes of Act I, the readers are introduced to two families, both with problems to deal with. King Lear’s two older daughters, Regan and Goneril, flatter their father with insincere speeches, while planning an evil scheme to purge their father of his remaining authority. In a rather parallel situation, Edmund forges a letter to perform an act to frame his half-brother Edgar in order to claim the inheritance. It is apparent that there are some analogies comprised of dishonesty and treachery between the Lear’s daughters and Edmund in these two subplots. Yet, there are slight differences in their motives.
Although Edmund and the Cordelia sisters are very disloyal to their family, they are nevertheless very intelligent characters with great observation and insight into their family members. With this in mind, they are able to take control over their father. The secret discussion between Regan and Goneril reveals their cleverness and observation of King Lear. Regan is able to recognize Lear’s instability as the “infirmity of his age” (I,i,294
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They understand that Lear values the pride of being flattered in public. The key characters, Regan, Goneril and Edmund, suggest this parallel for the most part. The same goes with Edmund, who can see the weaknesses in Gloucester and Edgar and describes them as “A credulous father!” (I,ii,176), and “a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms that he suspects none;”(I,ii176), and like the sisters, he takes control of the situation: “I see the business” (I,ii,179). “…if this letter speed and my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top the legitimate” (I,ii,19). This way, besides Gloucester’s inheritance, Edmund will also get his father’s affection. ” (I,i,70) But their insincerity, and true intentions are made clear when at the end of the scene when they secretly plot to seize they’re father’s remaining authority, “Pray you let’s hit together. The sisters on the other hand appear to only strive for their father’s kingdom and nothing else. For that reason, he wishes to counter that social hierarchy by attempting to climb on top of his legitimate half-brother, Edgar with his scheme. Edmund also who speaks to his father with such politeness like: “My service to your lordship” (I,i,29), but it is revealed in his first soliloquy in scene ii that he plots to cast suspicion at his legitimate half-brother for an opportunity to claim the inheritance.
Although their main motives are to inherit all their fathers’ kingdom, Edmund seems to have a more complicated objective than the Lear sisters. When Edmund states the phrase, “I grow” (I,ii,21), he meant that he will hopefully get recognition and respect from society, while “I prosper” clearly means he will benefit and gain financially from the inheritance. When Goneril is asked to express her love so that King Lear will give her part of his kingdom, she states her love with complete flattery: “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter;” (I,i,56), while Regan responds in cooperation with that of Goneril’s, “I am made of that self metal as my sister, and prize me at her worth. If our father carry authority with such disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us” (I,I,304).
The level of dishonesty and insincerity in these characters is very evident in the two families.
Approximate Word count =
715
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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