Lear, Act IV: Regan and Goneril are so evil, and Cordelia is so loving and forbearing, that I'm feeling a little skeptical this time through. (It reminds me of last summer, when I was rereading Bleak House and feeling doubtful about Esther.) Is an utter absence of bitterness a marker that you're either reading fiction or hagiography?
And there's Albany. In these circumstances is it plausible for him to say, "Woman, you're too evil for me"? It also rings false to me when Albany says, "Gloucester, I live / To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, / And to revenge thine eyes."
What say you? Do you buy it? Are you reading any Shakespeare this week?
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