Having read Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, which describes in a most intimate manner, true, passionate love, ending in a painful loss. Deep emotion. A most devastating conclusion. A lump in the throat to say the least.
Love and tragedy do flow through Shakespeare’s works.
King Lear and his daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia are questioned as to their love and loyalty. These are excerpts not necessarily in order, but focused on one emotion; love.
A love described from daughter to father.
AN EXCERPT FROM SHAKESPEARE’S THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR
Lear: Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
That our largest bounty may extend
Where Nature doth with merit challenge.
Our eldest born speaks first.
Goneril: Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter,
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty,
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare,
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour,
As much as child e’er loved or father found;
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Such genuine love for her father is from the heart. A form of competition with whom she marries; for example either prince of France or prince of Burgundy.
Just having started to read King Lear for the first time, it will be necessary to continue reading!
Any lovers of Shakespeare out there!?