King Lear has divided his kingdom among his daughters. Two of his daughters, Regan and Goneril, are greedy and superficial and soon betray their father. They convince members of the court to turn against the king and manage to completely undermine his authority. King Lear has asked his daughters to come speak with him. In this excerpt, King Lear speaks to Regan who has finally come to see him. Gonerit has still not arrived.

Question

from King Lear
LEAR
Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught. O Regan, she hath tied Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here!
What does King Lear mean when he says, "she hath tied sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here!"?
• 1. Goneril's actions angered him so greatly that he wants to seek revenge.
• 2. Goneril has preyed upon his sincere generosity by viciously attacking him.
• 3. Goneril has driven him mad with her outrageous and disrespectfui behavior.
• 4. Goneril's cruel behavior has caused such distress that he is having sharp chest pains.

Answer 1

King Lear's statement "she hath tied sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here!" suggests that Goneril has viciously attacked him, preying on his kindness and generosity. The imagery of a vulture, which is often associated with scavenging and feeding on the weak or dying, emphasizes the predatory nature of Goneril's actions and the deep emotional pain she has caused him. Therefore, the correct interpretation is:

2. Goneril has preyed upon his sincere generosity by viciously attacking him.