King Lear was foolish to trust Goneril. He stayed in her house with his 100 knights,
but he was a difficult visitor. Now Goneril had power over him, and she became an unkind ünkink"dautghter.
'Behave coldly when you see him, 'she said to her servant'Tell all my servants to be
unfriendly with his knights. I am going to write to my sister. She and I agree that we
do not want our father to stay with us. She will behave in the same way.'
Lear came into the room. 'You look angry, daughter,'he said. 'You often liike angry. Why?'
'Your knights are always quarrelling,'Goneril answered.'They make a lot if noise.
My house is in disorder. It is too much! I will not allow it I have spoken to you about
this before. I believe that you tell them to behave badly. I cannot stop them because you are their master. I am your daughter, but I must speak.'
'Are you my daughter?
'Listen, sir,'said Goneril. 'Be sensible! Recently you have changed. What are these
feelings that have changed you? Be the man you really are.'
'Who can tell me what I really am?'cried Lear. Í really thought that I had daughter.'
You are old,'said Goneril, 'and you should be wise. But you keep 100 knights and
their followers here in my house and call my men. You are an unatural child I
Will not trouble you any more I still have one daughter left. I was mad = I made a mistake when I trusted you.'
Lear went out, and Goneril heard him shout in surprise.
'What? She has already sent away fifty of my knights? But I have another daughter, I
am sure that she wil be kind. When she hears this. she will hit Goneril's face with her own fingers.
