This scene, from act I, scene 1 of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear, occurs when the eighty-year-old Lear wishes to retire as ruler of Britain and transfer his power and responsibilities to his three adult daughters, Goneril, Regan, and his favorite, Cordelia. To do so, Lear has set up a kind of contest among the three women. Each one shall publicly proclaim her love for her father, and the daughter who gives him the most pleasing answer will get the greatest amount of land and wealth. The first two daughters decide to play the game. The third one does not.
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LEAR
Tell me, my daughters,-- Since now we will divest us both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,—(50) Which of you shall we say doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first. GONERIL: Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; (55) Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; As much as child e'er loved, or father found; (60) A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you. CORDELIA: [aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. LEAR: Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,(65) With shadowy forests and with champains riched, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.(70) REGAN: Sir, I am made Of the self-same mettle that my sister is, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short: that I profess(75) Myself an enemy to all other joys, Which the most precious square of sense possesses; And find I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. CORDELIA: [aside] Then poor Cordelia!(80) And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue. KING LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure,(85) Than that conferred on Goneril. Now, our joy, Although the last, not least… what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.(90) |
CORDELIA:
Nothing, my lord. KING LEAR: Nothing! CORDELIA: Nothing. KING LEAR: Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave (95) My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more nor less. KING LEAR: How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. CORDELIA: Good my lord,(100) You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honor you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,(105) That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty: Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. KING LEAR: But goes thy heart with this?(110) CORDELIA: Ay, good my lord. KING LEAR: So young, and so untender? CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true. KING LEAR: Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower: For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,(115) The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the operation of the orbs From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood,(120) And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this, for ever. |