King Lear Journal 4

"This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
That which my father loses--no less than all.
The younger rises when the old doth fall." (3.3.23-25)

To me these lines mean that the kid only becomes the person the are meant to be in life when their parents are out of the picture. That the child can become the all mighty when the parent is reduced in their power( loses everything). In the play these lines specifically refer to the situation between the three sisters and King Lear. The father gave all he had to his daughters, his kingdom and dowery. All he did not give up were 100 knights, alas thoes ended up being taken away too, for his daughters made this a condition. SO in the play, the King loses all he had and while he lost everything his daughters gained everything. Highlighting the line, "which my father loses--no less than all." This is a blanket statement for many relationships between characters in this tragedy, when one loses, another gains. This idea of power changing hands, and who really holds the power is apparent through out the novel. I think this is very interesting, the idea of what someone can gain while and from when someone loses it all.

King Lear Journal 3

In King Lear I have chosen to track references to the stars and astronomy. Much of the beliefs and importance revolves around the stars and what they mean. In Act 1 scene 2, Edmund talks about how the stars can make a person do something they wouldn't normally do, "fools by heavenly compulsion;knaves, thieves and treachers by spherical predominance". In King Lear they use the stars to give them guidance as well as shift the blame onto something other than themselves. Edmund gives the stars power when he addresses the fact that the stars can control people and their actions. Again in act 2 scene 2, Kent addresses the influence the stars have on the people's lives at that time," Whose influence, like a wreath of radiant fire-on Phoebus' front-". When he says that the "Sun's forehead", which the sun is a star influences the place around them, that sets the world on fire, the stars have the power to control the surroundings. In both cases the stars have power over the people who worship and look to them for guidance.

King Lear Journal 2

"Then, I prithee, be merry; thy whit shall not go slipshod" (Shakespeare Act 1 scene 5, 11).
I think this quote illuminates what kind of relationship the King and his fool have. His fool calls the king "Nuncle", meaning uncle and is seen as a term of endearment. In return the King calls him boy. There relationship is much more deep than this though, as the fool constantly speaks in double entendres. Things he says can be interpreted in two ways, one being completely harmless, and the other a rude remark. His use of these shows the underlying contempt and his true feelings about the King. I think the fool sees himself in a place of protection, being the fool he can say things that no one else can say. When he says something he hides the meaning, not enabling the King to see the harsh meaning of what he said. Through all the hidden meaning the reader can see how the fool is smarter than the King. This highlights an important reason for doing this, Shakespeare relates his ideas that the higher up and not necessarily the highest and best at everything. That royalty is not as prestigious as it seems.

King Lear Journal 1

Discuss the relationship between power/wealth and love in Act 1 scene 1.

The main area we see a relationship between power/wealth and love is in the relationship and conflict surrounding King Lear and his daughter, Cordelia. He uses his power filled position as king to manipulate his daughters into telling him they love him for a piece of the kingdom. This tactic does not work on his youngest and favorite daughter Cordelia. This highlights the way that this relationship is used to get something you want. Lear uses his power to manipulate people into telling him that they love him, "Which of you shall we saydoth love us most,". Thus showing the unreal way that power and love are connected. Because his power is what he uses to be loved.
Another relationship is seen between wealth and love. We see the close link between the two after Cordelia is disowen by her father and loses her dowery. When this happens the Burgundy refuses to marry her. Thus showing the importance of money and wealth that he sets the score by in the relationship, "you have so lost a father- That you must lose a husband" (284-285).