Adapted from Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E. Nesbit King Lear was old, tired, aweary of the business of his kingdom, an
d wished only to end his days quietly near his three daughters. Two of his daughters were married to the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall, while the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France were both suitors for Cordelia, his youngest daughter. Lear called his three daughters together and told them that he proposed to divide his kingdom between them. "But first," said he, "I should like to know how much you love me." Goneril, who was really a very wicked woman and did not love her father at all, said she loved him more than words could say, and that she loved him dearer than eyesight, space, or liberty, more than life, grace, health, beauty, and honor. "I love you as much as my sister and more," professed Regan, "since I care for nothing but my father's love." Lear was very much pleased with Regan's professions, and turned to his youngest daughter, Cordelia, and said, "Now, our joy, though last not least, the best part of my kingdom have I kept for you. What can you say?" "Nothing, my lord," answered Cordelia. "Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again," said the King. Cordelia answered, "I love your Majesty according to my duty—no more, no less." And this she said, because she was disgusted with the way in which her sisters professed love, when really they had not even a right sense of duty to their old father. "I am your daughter," she went on, "and you have brought me up and loved me, and I return you those duties back as are right and fit, obey you, love you, and most honor you." Lear, who loved Cordelia best, had wished her to make more extravagant professions of love than her sisters. "Go," he said, "be for ever a stranger to my heart and me." The Earl of Kent, one of Lear's favorite courtiers and captains, tried to say a word for Cordelia's sake, but Lear would not listen. He divided the kingdom between Goneril and Regan, and told them that he should only keep a hundred knights at arms, and would live with his daughters by turns.
Select the correct answer. What is emphasized in the passage that is also emphasized in the image?
A. The king is very fond of his youngest daughter.
B. The king is very proud of his three daughters.
C. The king is ecstatic when he hears how much his daughters love him.
D. The king is disappointed to hear Cordelia's response and punishes her.
