Cease your quest of love (1.1.193-198)

Flourish. Re-enter GLOUCESTER, with KING OF FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants

GLOUCESTER

Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.

KING LEAR

My lord of Burgundy. We first address towards you, who with this king Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, Will you require in present dower with her, Or cease your quest of love?

Gloucester returns with France and Burgundy accompanied by trumpets. The sharp sound creates a clear divide between the last scene and the new one as well as marking the scene with importance. Gloucester - with great formality - makes their arrival known to Lear. This formal manner of speech: “my noble lord” protects Gloucester from Lear’s wrath by appealing to his sense of importance. Notice that he is not “my noble” king but a “lord”; Lear has already lost his status at this point, and also, by extension - his ties to god. Lear - upon hearing this - speaks directly to Burgundy. Out of the two men - it is Burgundy who is asked if he will take Cordelia first; this could mirror the situation with Goneril and Regan being asked about their love before Cordelia. This could foreshadow Burgundy’s selfish interest in Cordelia since the two sisters are generally quite self-interested. It also works the other way: France’s honest, kind personality is foreshadowed as he - like trustworthy Cordelia is asked to speak last. Lear’s tendency towards Burgundy could show his lack of good judgment for he isn’t drawn to the one who will actually take his daughter’s hand in marriage. His mention of Burgundy could show insecurity, Gloucester calls them in the order: “France and Burgundy” so why does Lear reverse this? Perhaps if he were to mention the king of France first, he creates a comparison between himself and France; Lear probably isn’t comfortable with this considering his very recent failures as a king. Burgundy - being a Duke - wouldn’t make the self-same uncomfortable comparison. He mentions France and Burgundy’s long rivalry over his daughter, and then asks what is the “least” he will take Cordelia for. The repetition of least from “last, not least” shows a transformation in Lear’s attitude throughout the scene; its repetition emphasises the second usage and its meaning. To Lear now, Cordelia isn’t worth marrying. Further displaying this is the mention of “dower” as the prize of marrying her (a prize that has now been removed. Cordelia’s worth to men like Burgundy is based mostly upon her riches.