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Page 2
I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool; and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and left nothing i' the middle. The idea of being nothing is both a fear and a reality for Lear. While Cordelia and Kent were not challenging him to hurt him, Goneril's actions are done with the knowing that her father's power has diminished. When she takes his knights away, she is not only exercising the power given to her, but also ensuring that Lear's power remains muted. It is possible that Goneril would prefer her father to be reduced to "nothing", as it would then eliminate the conflict she has in obtaining her own power while struggling against the amount of power her father (as former king) still possesses. Lear tells the Fool, "nothing can be made out of nothing" (1.4.114), and the Fool tells Lear that he has indeed left himself with just that: "nothing". He has given it all away; not only his kingdom, but those who truly care for him as well: Cordelia and Kent. When Lear is speaking to the Fool, he remembers Cordelia: "I did her wrong--" (1.5.20). Indeed he did, and by banishing her, he seems to have left himself with "nothing", as Goneril and Regan are more concerned about themselves than him, nevermind their relationships as father and daughter. Thus, Lear is in a bad way. He first banishes Cordelia and Kent -- perhaps out of a fear that his authority was being challenged -- only to discover that his oldest daughter is prepared to squash what little power he may have left. And though he has another daughter in Regan, whom he hopes will stand by him, his mind can't help but drift to Cordelia as he realizes his mistake. In the end she had the right answer, but still he dismissed her. Once a mighty king, Lear's now reduced to a man searching for a place to live, a home where he might feel welcomed and safe, secure and loved. What fears of nothingness must creep into his mind and heart. But where is he going, and what will he do when he realizes he has nowhere left to turn? Fool: If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time.
The copyright of the article King Lear, Act I: Feelings of Nothingness - Page 2 in Shakespearean Tragedy is owned by Jennifer Alpeche. Permission to republish King Lear, Act I: Feelings of Nothingness - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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