Why is there conflict between Albany and Cornwall in King Lear?
Question:
Why is there conflict between Albany and Cornwall in King Lear?
Characters in King Lear:
King Lear is the protagonist of the eponymous play. He has three daughters named Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Goneril's husband is the Duke of Albany while Regan's husband is the Duke of Cornwall. Cordelia is unmarried.
Answer and Explanation:
When King Lear chooses to divide his estate between Goneril and Regan, other characters point out that what he is essentially doing is dividing the kingdom between their husbands, Albany and Cornwall. Because it is better to have a whole kingdom than half of one, the two dukes realize that they are in conflict with one another. They both want to wind up with the whole kingdom rather than half. Infighting between them and between the sisters is another level of conflict in a play already rife with problems.
Learn more about this topic:
from
Chapter 3 / Lesson 9Learn about William Shakespeare’s ''King Lear.'' Read a summary of the play, find its in-depth analysis, examine its main characters, and discover its themes.