King Lear starts off with a division of a kingdom, but there is a catch; each princess must denounce her love and affection for King Lear in order to get a piece of the land. Lear has three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Goneril was the first to speak and she did a fine job, smooth talking her way to King Lear’s ear. Regan was next to speak and she too had a silver tongue that licked Lear’s ear. When it was Cordelia’s turn to speak she chose to let her actions articulate for itself:

… I am sure my love’s

More ponderous than my tongue.

(Lear I.i.78-79)