You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little. He always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.
– William Shakespeare
King Lear, Act 1, Scene 1. Goneril can see Lear’s growing instability and poor judgment more clearly than he can see himself – Lear has little self-knowledge. Goneril is concerned that Lear has just disowned the daughter he loved most. Not because she cares for Cordelia, however, but because of Goneril’s self-interest and concern that Lear’s poor judgment might affect her and Regan. This foreshadows the conflict that will arise between the older sisters and Lear.