King Lear 1.1.96-104

In this passage, Cordelia explains to King Lear why she cannot verbally express her love for him as her sisters so easily do. For Cordelia, love is a matter of obeying, loving, and honoring her father, rather than merely the exercise of speech. In this speech is also embedded the question of duty and to whom it is owed. Cordelia understands that she owes duty to her father, and is willing to give him what he deserves in repayment for having "begot me, bred me, loved me" (1.1.96). In this, duty becomes a sort of economic tranIn this passage, Cordelia explains to King Lear why she cannot verbally express her love for him as her sisters so easily do. For Cordelia, love is a matter of obeying, loving, and honoring her father, rather than merely the exercise of speech. In this speech is also embedded the question of duty and to whom it is owed. Cordelia understands that she owes duty to her father, and is willing to give him what he deserves in repayment for having "begot me, bred me, loved me" (1.1.96). In this, duty becomes a sort of economic transaction. Her response is her repayment for all he has done. Similarly, when she weds, “that lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry / Half my love with him, half my care and duty” (1.1.100-101). Upon marriage, her duty will be split in half between her father and her husband because it is what is owed to them. It becomes something that is exchanged in a give and take transaction. This allows for a greater level of sincerity because her conception of duty is not muddled by personal considerations and motives, but is rather based on an objective standard of exchange and repayment.

Erika Stephens