“King Lear” explores the theme of sibling rivalry in a dramatic and interesting way. (2010 mock)
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Sibling rivalry is undoubtedly among the most fascinating and dramatic themes explored in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”. The titular character’s three daughters are continuously at odds with each other for a plethora of reasons, as are the half-brothers Edmund and Edgar. Throughout the play, the theme of sibling rivalry arises from deep-rooted resentment and jealousy between sisters, the place of “bastard” children in society, as well as parents’ favouritism. These many facets of the theme contribute to a dramatic and interesting play. (Very strong intro.)
During the iconic Love Test, an inescapable rivalry between King Lear’s daughters quickly becomes apparent. King Lear himself is undeniably responsible for this rivalry as he blatantly favours his youngest daughter, Cordelia, “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” (This is not the best quote to use here as it doesn’t back up your point. You could quote Goneril, “He always loved our sister most” – and use a different quote later). As Goneril and Regan profess to love their father “more than words can wield the matter, dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty”, King Lear is completely unmoved. Though they have obliged their father totally, they are not rewarded with much praise or attention as King Lear eagerly waits for Cordelia to “speak”. When his favourite daughter whom he expects the most of, deigns to say “nothing, my Lord”, he flies into an almighty rage. (You’re retelling the story here, you need to comment on it, not just tell us what happened – we know). We cannot shake the sense that Lear’s other daughters do not have the power to disappoint him in this way, for he thinks little of them. They, too, seem to be resigned to this fact, claiming that “He always loved [Cordelia] most”.
In this opening scene, Goneril and Regan do not openly loath their younger sister or seek her death but have seemingly had a lifetime to come to terms with their status as Lear’s lesser daughters. Interestingly, this could be what motivates them to employ the “glib and oily art” of flattery when their father requests it of them. As the favourite daughter, Cordelia has privilege and power that Goneril and Regan do not. Unlike them, she believed that she could risk defying Lear by refusing to “heave [her] heart into [her] mouth”. Her sisters have never been afforded this power, and as a result are more than satisfied to be offered an “ample third” of a kingdom.
This fascinating family dynamic becomes increasingly dramatic as the plot unfolds. For the first time in their lives, Goneril and Regan possess power over the father who has neglected and wronged them. At first, they tentatively test their newfound authority, as seen when Goneril takes a stand against Lear’s “disordered”, “debosh’d”, “riotous” knights. In my opinion, Goneril and Regan’s early actions against Lear are widely misconstrued as inhumane and depraved when they seem to me completely forgivable. As I see it, it is only when the threat of Cordelia’s French army reaches the sisters that they truly become “marble-hearted”. Having finally undermined their unloving father, condemning him to “being weak, seem so”, Cordelia’s possible return is a shocking turn of events. Understandably, their historic resentment of Cordelia returns with a fury, leading the duo to attack Lear with new vigour. Cordelia’s threat motivates Regan to act with unbridled savagery, deciding to “pluck out” Gloucester’s eyes and let him “smell his way to Dover” – an unfathomable punishment for his loyalty to Lear. (You run the risk of conflating Cornwall and Regan’s actions – worth clarifying that it was Cornwall who actually did it.) It is clear that Goneril and Regan have become unhinged and desperate to exert more power over Lear and over their kingdom. This fear is intrinsically linked to their rivalry with Cordelia. Just as they managed to gain an advantage over her for the very first time, she threatens to reclaim it, and to regain their father’s love to boot. (This paragraph is a little speculative as it stands – it would benefit from more back up from the text.)
In a dramatic turn of events, however, Goneril and Regan grow tired of waging war against Lear and Cordelia, falling victim to a shared infatuation with Edmund. Absurdly, Regan confesses that she would “rather lose the battle than that sister should loosen him and me” and Regan begs Edmund to “be not familiar” with Goneril. Where they had once stood firmly against their enemies, Goneril and Regan now frivolously turn against each other, revealing a new aspect of the theme of sibling rivalry. (This sentence should be the opening line of this paragraph.) Though the silly hostility and envy between the sisters proves detrimental to both, it is delightfully entertaining to watch it play out on stage. There is considerable poetic justice as Goneril poisons Regan with toxic “medicine” before taking her own life in grief over their lover. Their previous rivalry with Cordelia motivated them to act with unforgiveable brutality, and it is satisfying that their own sibling rivalry leads to their demise.
Edmund himself reveals an equally interesting and dramatic side to the theme of sibling rivalry. Rather than stemming from favouritism by a parent, Edmund’s resentment of Edgar is entirely rooted in Edmund’s status as an illegitimate son. In one of the play’s most dramatic moments, he demands “Why ‘bastard’? Wherefore ‘base’?” and pledges his loyalty to “nature” his “goddess”. Fascinatingly, Edmund refuses to comply with the law of the land which affords him no rights or power. With steely determination, he vows to “top the legitimate” Edgar and “have lands by wit”. Through no fault of his own, Edgar has the social standing and power that Edmund seeks. Conversely to the rivalry between Lear’s daughters, there does not seem to be any personal dislike between Gloucester’s sons. In fact, they have a strong enough brotherly bond that the “noble” Edgar trusts Edmund unconditionally, believing that “some villain hath done [him] wrong”. The subplot highlights once again how sibling rivalry is irrevocably linked to power and status in the play. (This should be near the top of the paragraph because this is your main insight. Make your point and then explain it rather than build up to it, it’s easier to follow and give you marks.) Edmund’s all-consuming desire for power eclipses any affection he holds for Edgar, and he never hesitates to use him as a pawn in his pursuit of greatness.
To conclude, the theme of sibling rivalry is most certainly explored in “King Lear” in a dramatic and interesting way. King Lear himself creates a lasting rivalry between Cordelia and his elder daughters, the dramatic consequences of which are evident throughout the play. Edmund’s relationship with both Goneril and Regan eventually turns them against each other, revealing the destructive nature of sibling rivalry. Finally, Edgar is Edmund’s rival in many fundamental ways, revealing insights into status and power in the play.
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