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Theme of love in King Lear - Coggle Diagram
Theme of love in King Lear
Two types of Love
False Love: Selfish, corrupt, motivated by greed or lust ( Goneril, Regan, Edmund)
True Love: Pure, selfless, loyal ( Cordelia, Kent, Edgar)
Lear's view of Love
Values flattery over sincerity
Lear learns too late that love cannot be quantified
Believes love can be measured: "which of you shall we say doth love us most?"
Goneril and Regan's false love
Only seek power and wealth
Betray and mistreat Lear once they get what they want
Compete to exaggerate their love for Lear
Goneril says “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter” and Regan says talking about Goneril “Only she comes too short”.
Goneril and Regan's lust
Desire for Edmund leads to their downfall
They betray each other and die as a result
Cordelia's true love
Remains loyal despite being disowned
Her love is selfless and healing
Refuses to exaggerate: "I love your majesty according to my bond; no more nor less"
France vs Burgundy
Burgundy sees love as a transaction
France believes true love is unconditional: "Love is not love when it is mingled with regards"
Kent's love for Lear
Remains loyal despite the risks
Views life as meaningless without Lear
Challenges Lear out of love and is banished
Gloucester's view of Love
Fails to see through Edmund's lies
Is ultimately saved by Edgar's loyalty
Confuses lust with love (Edmund's birth)
Edgar's Love
Less emotional than Cordelia but proves his devotion
Cares for Gloucester despite being wronged by him
Edmund's corrupt love
Loves only himself
Manipulates other for power
His selfishness leads to destruction