Discretion In Shakespeare's King Lear
King Lear believes that Regan will treat him differently from her sister, Goneril and will show him respect because he hopes she understands the “offices of nature, bond of childhood,/ [E]ffects of courtesy, dues of gratitude” (Shakespeare 2.4.202-3). He believes Regan is bound to him based on the natural order of family relations and hierarchy of power. However, there is a definite shift in power as Regan declines King Lear’s complaints against his sister, and in fact blames him. Regan dismisses King Lear’s requests to stay with her at the castle, and tells him he should go back to Goneril. Regan states, “O sir, you are old… You should be ruled and led/ By some discretion that discerns your state/ Better than yourself” (2.4.165,166-68). King
Lear’s old age is making him take actions She believes he is in the wrong, thus, he should apologize to his daughter and even get rid of his knights. This conversation does not follow the typical hierarchical nature of order with the father and the male usually making the decisions and ordering the rest around. In this case, it is demonstrating a shift in the natural order because Regan has taken power and authority over her father and is establishing her territory. But King Lear views it as offensive and unnatural which is emphasized with the repetitive use of
Lear’s old age is making him take actions She believes he is in the wrong, thus, he should apologize to his daughter and even get rid of his knights. This conversation does not follow the typical hierarchical nature of order with the father and the male usually making the decisions and ordering the rest around. In this case, it is demonstrating a shift in the natural order because Regan has taken power and authority over her father and is establishing her territory. But King Lear views it as offensive and unnatural which is emphasized with the repetitive use of