    The King of Great Britain Lear had three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Goneril was married to Duke of Albany, Regan to Duke of Cornwall, and Cordelia was still single. Both the King of France and Duke Burgundy made an offer of marriage to Cordelia, so they were living in the Palace of King Lear as guests.
    The king was in his eighties, and was no longer energetic. He decided to delegate the administration of the country to the young and capable persons. With this idea in mind, he called his three daughters in, trying to determine how much they love him and distribute his land accordingly.
    The eldest daughter Goneril said she loved her father more than any other words could express. It was dearer than her eyesight. She loved her father more than her life and her liberty. Taking her sweet words without any true love, the king felt happy and, under the impulse of fatherly love, bestowed one third of his vast land to his eldest daughter and her husband. 
 