No less in space, validity, and pleasure (1.1.79-86)

KING LEAR

To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

In response to her flattery, Lear confers land upon Regan. By naming Cornwall as Regan’s “hereditary”, they feel closer to each other (in motive and emotion) when compared with Goneril and Albany - who are addressed in different ways to each other. Lear lists the great qualities of the land with a rule of three. This is reminiscent of Goneril’s speech of valuing Lear beyond “eye-sight, space, and liberty”. Since Regan has made it clear that her love is greater than Goneril’s, it seems unfair to give her land that is less valuable than the supposed love she gives him. Lear moves on to “his joy” Cordelia. This metaphor foreshadows the despair he faces when he banishes her. It also references Regan being an “enemy to all other joys” aside from her false love for Lear. This foreshadows Regan being an enemy of Cordelia - who is another “joy”. Lear once again brings up Cordelia’s potential partners, in particular mentioning the “vines of France and milk of Burgundy” (“vines” implying wine). These two drinks describe Cordelia quite well: milk shows her kind, gentle nature; wine makes her seem holy, and closely linked to god. These also both link Cordelia back to nature, and (as mentioned in the previous extract) makes her - in a strange way - receive Lear when both sisters turn him away. Lear finishes with his question asking whether she can flatter him enough to gain a more “opulent” third than the other two. It seems obvious that Lear decided how to allot his land before this test, making this test a farce to garner some flattery. It also says that Cordelia is his favourite daughter considering that the third left for Cordelia is “most opulent”. This extract ends with the third version of the imperative “speak” and this time it holds the most tension, only to get obliterated by her short ineloquent answer.