King Lear

             love. Cordelia, the youngest daughter, states that she loves her father.
             "according to her bond" (p.4). She is saying that she loves him as much as any.
             child could love a father. On the other hand, Goneril and Reagan easily speak.
             the words that their father wants to hear, rather than the truth.
             Because Lear is not satisfied with Cordelia's response, he turns his back.
             on Cordelia and on her love. By doing this he is destroying the natural family.
             unit and lacks the insight to know this. He unjustly punishes Cordelia by.
             banishing her from the kingdom. He casts out his daughter in an unfatherly.
             fashion, yet is gravely upset by the ingratitude of his other two daughters,.
             Goneril and Reagan. Once again, due to Lear's lack of wisdom, he fails to.
             recognize the sincerity of Cordelia's words. Thus, he puts his relationship.
             with his daughters in jeopardy which results in a constant source of grief for.
             King Lear.
             King Lear holds firm to his belief that the world is governed by the gods.
             and in justice. Therefore he does not question the will of the gods in letting.
             him suffer from his daughter's unkindness, but prays.
             If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts.
             Against their father, fool me not with so much.
             To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger (p.50).
             Greer (1986) reminds us that Shakespeare uses the word.
             "nature" often, but rarely with the same meaning. For instance, Lear.
             personifies nature when he calls Cordelia "a wretch whom Nature is.
             ashamed/Almost to acknowledge hers" (p.9). Here, it seems as though Lear thinks.
             himself to be particularly special and close to nature because he is.
             presumptuous in believing that he can read Nature's mind. On the same note,.
             Lear also seems to order his goddess, Nature, as though he is in control. He.
             commands Nature to follow his orders,.
             Hear, Nature, hear! dear goddess, hear!.
             Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend.
             To make this creature fruitful (p.