Is King Lear "largely about rebellion"?

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Matthew Goodwin 10MA Mr Mar English Coursework –First Draft

Is King Lear “largely about rebellion”?

One of the major themes within King Lear is that of conflict and rebellion as is highlighted when King Lear asks his three daughters (Cordelia, Reegan, and Gonerill) “who doth love me most”. Cordelia refuses to conform to her father’s wishes and does not take part in the charade that her sisters play. This is a rebellion because she knows what she should say and what her father wants her to say. She is rebelling against the tradition that the children should obey their parent’s wishes. An example of this rebellion is illustrated when Lear says to Cordelia “what can you say to draw a third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.” Cordelia replies “Nothing, my Lord” Lear, startled, replies ”Nothing?”

Cordelia then says ”nothing”. This is an again a rebellion because Lear even gives her a third chance “How, how Cordelia? Mend your speech a little.” But she still does not change her mind. This instance is also a rebellion of young to old but also the subject to the king because if Lear wasn’t her father then she would never speak to him like that. So this is not just a moment of madness, this is a purposeful rebellion.

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Another way that Cordelia is rebelling against her father is when she says, “why have my sisters husbands if they say they love you all?” Here she is saying if they love you like nothing else in the world, why do they have husbands they are lying. They just want the healthy part of your revenue. This is a rebellion because she again is speaking out of line to her father.

The last paragraph brings me onto the final point about Cordelias rebellion. When Cordelia says, “Why have my sisters husbands if they say they love you all?” this is ...

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