Regan

Question 1

Regan when asked to express her love for Lear

Cold and pricey - reps cold hearts of G+R and their narrow focus on material wealth and power
Metal is ref. to swords and thus battles - links to old order ironically

Answer 1

‘self-mettle’

Question 2

Lear talking of G+R

Myth that pelicans fed their young on blood - imagery of Lear’s sustenance being sucked from him = he becomes insane
Fact that it’s a myth presents the fault lying with Lear also

Answer 2

‘t’was this flesh begot those pelican daughters’

Question 3

Regan talking with Edmund about their ‘love’

Regan’s language mirrors Lear’s - it’s tautological (saying same thing twice but in different ways) - both their madnesses come with the reduction in power (from Edmund) - bc power rightfully belongs to them as God’s rep

Answer 3

‘tell me truly, but then speak the truth’

Question 4

Regan talking with Edmund about their ‘love’

Links to Lear - giving away power and positions without thinking of consequences/on a whim (as Regan doesn’t seem to love Edmund) - presents cyclical nature of play
Links to JI who gave away extensive pensions and patronage to followers without thinking of consequences - i.e. disputes with Scots getting lots of moneys

Answer 4

‘I create thee here my lord and master’