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King Lear


            
             "No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose to wage against the enmity o' the air;" (Act II Scene IV) What does he mean by that statement? The king's intention is to renounce and reject any possibility of compromise with his daughter Goneril who had betrayed and humiliated him. The King also intended to oppose his daughter's cruel and ungrateful attitude and treatment.
             King Lear has voluntarily relinquished his throne and divided his kingdom among his two eldest daughters Goneril and Regan. The daughters prove to be ungrateful and treat the former King cruelly, stripping him of any power and dignity. The daughters treachery begins immediately after the King empowers them. To ensure that their unmerited power remains in tack they agree to unite and conspire to protect their mutual interests. "Pray you, let's hit together: if our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us." (Goneril to Regan, Scene I Act I).
             Goneril proves to be the most domineering and combative of the two, she couldn't care less about degrading her father as evidenced by her argument and decision to reduce the size of her father's entourage. Goneril had tired of the behavior exhibited by the King and the King's entourage. She orders the entourage to leave her palace and is determined to isolate her father by ignoring him. Goneril encourages her sister Regan to do likewise. The King, angered by Goneril's behavior solicits Regan's support telling her of Goneril's abusive behavior. Regan ignores his accusations choosing instead to support Goneril's .
             allegations that the King's entourage has created problems for Goneril. Regan then admonish her father to listen to the voice of reason insisting that his advanced age has robbed him of his wisdom and ability to reason. Regan insists that King Lear return to Goneril and apologize for his behavior. Angered by the suggestion, the King mocks his daughter by kneeling and sarcastically asking for forgiveness from an imaginary daughter.


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