Date Posted:18:01:23 01/31/08 Thu Author: JD Subject: Re: Thoughts on King Lear In reply to:
CS Holden
's message, "Re: Thoughts on King Lear" on 14:28:47 01/30/08 Wed
Like I touched on in class, I think that King Lear is also (not necessarily the original source) the culprit behind much of the conflictual rivalry, or at least instigates much of it. We see this when the play begins as he automatically pits his daughters against one another by dividing up his land. He constantly reminds Burgandy and France that they are both vying for Cordelia's hand. He also adds strain to Regan and Goneril's conflict through Albany and Cornwall, for when he gives up the crown he says "Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm, This coronet part between you." It seems to me that as Lear participates in the different mimetic rivalries by assuming various roles, he perhaps involves himself by instigating and inflaming the rivalries in the very beginning of the play
