King Lear Upheaval In Relationships

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No Respect One might wonder what similarity exists between Hamlet, Like Water for Chocolate, and Pride and Prejudice. These works all present relationship problems between family members who, according to today’s standards, should have a close relationship. However, none of these books show the turmoil as well as William Shakespeare’s King Lear. In this work, the conflict between Albany and Goneril, Lear and his daughters, and Gloucester and his sons provide the play with material to keep the audience interested and intrigued throughout. As one can see, Shakespeare’s masterpiece King Lear contains much upheaval in family relationships In King Lear, Shakespeare illustrates the disruption of relationships through Goneril and her husband, the Duke of Albany. When first introduced to Goneril and Albany, they seem appear happy, yet when a closer look is taken, issues are apparent in their marriage. Albany, a good person, realizes that his wife’s treatment of her father is wrong. He politely tells her that he believes this by saying, “I cannot be so partial, Goneril, to the great love I bear you—” (I.iv.318-319). He says that he loves her, but that she is behaving inappropriately. In the same way, he tries to give her advice about her father in a way that is not offensive. He warns, “How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell. / Striving to better, oft we mar what's well” (I.iv.352-353). She brushes off this warning without a thought and Albany does not argue with her. Albany respects his wife, yet she takes no notice of him. The tension from this seemingly minor encounter between the couple builds throughout the play until, after learning about his wife’s horrendous treatment of her father, Albany exclaims, “O Goneril! You are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face. I fear your disposition: that nature which contemns its origin

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