Summary
This is a poem about the obedience, honesty and true love on the one hand and treachery on the other. The poem is narrative in style and uses mostly old English language. It tells a story of a king who happens to be unaware of the flattery of his own daughters.
Long ago there lived an old king in England, named King Lear. He was tired of ruling and needed rest. He made up his mind to step down the throne and divide his kingdom. He had three daughters Ragan, Gonorell and Cordelia. He decided to divide his kingdom into three parts and give each to each of his daughters. But before giving it, he wanted to know how much they loved him.
At first Lear asked his eldest daughter how much she loved him. Ragan answered that she loved him more than she could say. King Lear was pleased and went to ask the same question to his second daughter Gonorell. She also flattered like the eldest daughter. Lear became so much satisfied hearing the answer. Then it came the turn of Cordelia, his youngest daughter whom he loved most. Cordelia did not like flattering. She replied that she loved him as much as a daughter should love her father. King Lear became very much furious at her reply. He drove her away from his country and divided his kingdom between his two daughters.
Cordelia took shelter in a forest. One day the Prince of France came hunting and saw her. He became very impressed at her beauty and married her. In the meantime, the king became the burden for the two daughters. They did not like the king as before. He was greatly shocked to know the falsehood of his two daughters. He became very sick. One day the two daughters drove him away from the kingdom. Upon knowing the plight of the king, Cordelia forwarded with French army to the kingdom and rescued her father. The King eventually understood the real love of his youngest beloved daughter.
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