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In this play the theme of appearances vs. reality resonates in almost every act, first occurring in Act 1. In Act 1, Goneril and Regan are portrayed as sincere, loyal, and charming daughters during their testimonials of love to their father King Lear; yet like the reader knows, this act of love is not as it seems. The two scheming daughters do in fact love their father but; moreover yearn for the land and power that he is dividing up. Their hyperbolic love declarations only serve to mislead the other characters in the story. Goneril and Regan, practical and rational in a completely self-centered way, willingly play Lear’s little game and provide him for the pat answers he expects; and each wins a coveted prize. In reality Goneril and Regan are conniving, avaricious, and lustful for power, and they will do anything to get what they want. Shakespeare utilizes this fairy tale love test in the first scene to probe the nature of love and more importantly to introduce the theme of appearance vs.
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