At the beginning of the play, he confuses his role as a King with his duties of a father as he gives his land away to his daughters based on how much they love him. King Lear judged his daughters based on their response rather than on their honest feelings for him, which reveals his pride and egotism to the reader. He wishes to be treated as a King and have his daughters fawn over him, but as a father he should separate his wishes and desires from his status as a monarch. This is clearly shown when King Lear states, “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” (I. I. 51). He doesn’t say, “Which of you actually loves us most?” which implies that he would rather have a false depiction of his daughters love for him than their honest feelings. He wants to have the praise of a King, but he shouldn’t want this from his own daughters. By giving his kingdom to Goneril and Regan displays that the King does not have a worthy relationship with his daughters. He should have expected the outcome of their actions of betraying him if he really knew them. In the beginning of the play it is also implied that the King favors Cordelia so he is aware that she loves him most, yet when she gives her honest answer he becomes irritated and abandons her. This could also correspond with his mental state. With
At the beginning of the play, he confuses his role as a King with his duties of a father as he gives his land away to his daughters based on how much they love him. King Lear judged his daughters based on their response rather than on their honest feelings for him, which reveals his pride and egotism to the reader. He wishes to be treated as a King and have his daughters fawn over him, but as a father he should separate his wishes and desires from his status as a monarch. This is clearly shown when King Lear states, “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” (I. I. 51). He doesn’t say, “Which of you actually loves us most?” which implies that he would rather have a false depiction of his daughters love for him than their honest feelings. He wants to have the praise of a King, but he shouldn’t want this from his own daughters. By giving his kingdom to Goneril and Regan displays that the King does not have a worthy relationship with his daughters. He should have expected the outcome of their actions of betraying him if he really knew them. In the beginning of the play it is also implied that the King favors Cordelia so he is aware that she loves him most, yet when she gives her honest answer he becomes irritated and abandons her. This could also correspond with his mental state. With