King Lear Journal # 1

The speeches given by the three sisters in Act 1 Sc 1 tell a lot about their personalities. King Lear demands that in order to receive a part of his kingdom as a dower. Goneril is the first to speak and tells him that she loves him "Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty" (1.1.62). These words, although powerful sound empty because she has been commanded to do it. Regan is next and mimics her sister and ventures to say that her love is even greater. The idea that someone can prove through words who's love is greater if foolish and the fact that Lear treats their empty words as gospel shows that he is deluded. Finally when Cordelia is asked to speak she refuses to follow the path of her sisters. She instead tries to point out that no matter what words she used to describe her love, it is meaningless.