CONTROL
Lear loses control of his kingdom and his identity with it. No longer wants control over his kingdom. "Tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age, conferring them on younger strengths, while we unburthened crawl towards death" He is presented as a controlling father, by asking his daughters to say who loves him most. "Which of you shall we say doth say love us most?"
Goneril and Regan take control over Lear and the remains of his Kingship. They are manipulative in their speeches and threads of irony run throughout. "Sir I love you more than word can wield the matter. Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty" Regan's speech also is highly flattering and is a sign of the allegiance that forms between the two sisters during the play. "I am made of that self-same metal as my sister, and prize me at her worth". Only Cordelia is unwilling to play Lear's game and win control over her third of the kingdom saying "I am sure my love's more ponderous than my tongue" "I cannot heave my heart into my mouth"
Kent, the Fool and Cordelia try to control Lear’s madness. Kent is instantly aware of Lear's rashness and attempts to make Lear change his mind. "Thou youngest daughter does not love thee least" "See better Lear, and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye". The Fool mocks Lear's shocking behaviour, calling him a fool, as "all thy other titles thou hast given away; that thou wast born with"
Goneril and Regan order the torture of Glos, two women taking control
Edmund orders the death of Lear and Cord, taking control