The Conversation between Lear and Burgundy - Essay Example

Sop! Coward! Burgundy began by mumbling that he was unsure of what to do. And finally refused Cordelia’s hand, and because Lear would not give him a penny in dower! The cad! My heart went out to the beautiful girl. So little, so young, standing there; dishonored only for having been honest, it was just too unfair! I could not stand to see her insulted that way. After all, even the poorest of my people was more gallant than this knave.

When Lear asked me my opinion on the matter, going so far as to suggest my refusing her: I spoke my mind. I told him that now that Cordelia was alone, penniless, and wrong, I found myself loving her, wanting to protect her even more. I told him that it mattered not to me if Lear disowned her, she was more than enough dower all by herself. These men astound me. Are they no better than cattle, to be bought and sold like this? And what of the King himself? Blinded by flattery? Well, “No fool like an old fool”, as they say in France. I shall turn in for the night now, but my heart is glad. From now, my nights and days shall be shared with a maiden as fair as she is virtuous.

King Lear – Diary Entry No. 1
Dear Diary,
This evening at King Lear’s court I was amazed to find the love of my life Cordelia silently weeping in a corner while the King berated her. As he began to explain his reason for calling me and Burgundy there, I understood that it was because he had decided to disinherit his youngest daughter. The news verily made me reel. Was she not his most precious? Did he not only yesterday speak to me about how dearly he loved the girl? And yet today, only because she refused to flatter him, he was banishing her. Burgundy, that dishonorable excuse of a Duke, turned down her hand. Now that she was without a dower, he said he could not accept her to be his bride.

Well, too bad for him! I could not have been gladder. Now that they were insulting the girl and she was left all alone, I felt even more tender toward her. And I made my opinion quite clear too! I said to Lear that I should be honored to have his daughter as my bride. It was not important to me whether she had a fat sum of money following her or whether it was she alone who would step into my palace. As far as I’m concerned, that girl was worth more than any dower he could offer. And so saying, I brought her away from that old fool. I still find it very hard to believe that such an old man, and therefore I assumed wise man, could be done in by the flattery of those two vile daughters of his. Anyway, I seem to have come out quite the happiest here. I only hope my new wife shall learn to dry her tears and live happily with me from today.

I was not cattle to be bought! Read More