Crazy King Lear

Sarah Scheidel
ENGL 2200

Thus far, I have really enjoyed Shakespeare's King Lear.  This story is filled with lying, deceit, and fraud, all of which make for a very exciting plot.  First, crazy King Lear disowns the only person who is kind, loving and true to him, Cordelia.  She is left without a dowry; lucky for her, the King of France still marries her (Not bad!).  Needless to say, Goneril and Regan, the sister's of Cordelia, receive parts of Lear's kingdom simply by lying and flattering their father.  They shower him with backwards flattery that is not true. Not only does Lear insanely give his kingdom to two unworthy daughters, but he also fires one of his most loyal men, Kent.  Kent has served the family and Lear for years and is astonished by the king's actions towards not only himself but also Cordelia, the favorite.  Finally, Lear decides to visit each daughter, not including Cordelia, and stay with them.  He stays with Goneril first, who of course is not pleased by her father's presence and progressing insanity.  I believe that karma is working against Lear in this situation.  He disowned his most loyal daughter and gave his kingdom away to two cheap flatterers. Now, these same two daughters are disowning their father, which is very ironic.  After being treated poorly at Goneril's palace, Lear heads to Regan's home.  The second daughter sides with Goneril and is not happy to have him.  She is unaccommodating and rude to not only Lear but also to his servant-in-disguise, Kent.  I enjoy this tragedy so far because it is mischievous and complex.  I am very interested to see what happens to Cordelia especially since she hasn't been around much in the beginning after she moved to France.  I also like the parallels between Lear's family and Gloucester's family.  Cordelia is disowned just like Edgar is disowned.  I feel like these two separate situations will have similar results or maybe converge.