Love

Amidst such a complex play, Shakespeare includes the minor theme of love; both familial, platonic and romantic. Nonetheless, Shakespeare comments about love in this play are not as idealised in say 'Romeo and Juliet' instead Shakespeare explores empty love, the importance of expressing love and the confusion between love and political loyalty.

Empty love

The idea of a love test is at the heart of Shakespeare's presentation of love. It is Goneril and Regan who exemplify this issue of empty or false love. The sisters seem to have no real love for their father, their exaggerated speeches in the first scene and subsequent actions against Lear show this. They claim they have love but ultimately do not.

This idea of false love is a key idea in the play; Edmund seems to have no true affection for the sisters. He is perhaps a character who only has love for himself. His actions seem to be totally self-motivated. He does make a somewhat ambiguous comment 'Edmund was beloved' and whilst this could hint that he genuinely wanted to be loved it might just be a boast. However…