A Powerful Tongue

        In Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” the folio and the quarto use many different variations of certain words to illustrate points they deem important.  For example, the passage in which Cordelia states, “Then poor Cordelia,/ And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s/ More [variant] than my tongue” contains a multitude of definitions (I.i.82-84).  The variant used in the quarto is “richer” while the folio uses “ponderous.”  These two words are packed with so many connotations that it is hard to fathom which word Shakespeare preferred more.

         The Quarto’s choice in “Richer” connotes feelings stretching from value to strength.  The word rich suggests that Cordelia feels her love has more power of persuasion than her tongue (OED).  Her inner feelings should be able to communicate better than her tongue.  “Having large possessions” is also connoted, implying that Cordelia feels that her love is more profound or abundant than anything her words could communicate.  This abundance further suggests that her love is plentiful while her words are only momentary.  In addition, her love can fulfill Lear’s needs while her tongue can only provide him temporary contentment.  Strong, deep, and warm are also indicated in the use of rich, intimating that Cordelia’s love is always warming and comforting while her tongue in contrast has the capability of being harsh and cruel.  Value is brought to mind as well, suggesting that Cordelia’s feelings should be held dear to the king rather than her petty words.  Through these connotations, one can see that love can be appreciated more fully and be more fulfilling than one’s brief words.

        The folio uses “ponderous,” a word that carries a dissimilar connotation than that of rich.  Weight is one implication which suggests that Cordelia’s love carries more weight or will have more of a lasting effect on the king than her curt words.  “To ascertain the weight of” suggests that her love is ongoing and will not stop until it has filled the emotional void of the king more than her words could.  Thus, by using ponderous, the author of the folio suggests that one’s love has more bearing or effect on one’s life than one’s words.

        The more appropriate choice of words is “rich.”  Though ponder suggests that Cordelia’s love will bear more weight or effect on one’s life than their words, pondering connotes a feeling of uncertainty and judgment.  Yet being rich suggests that the void in Lear’s heart is already filled with Cordelia’s love and cannot be filled anymore.  When someone is rich, they have already gained as much money as they need to and some people even want more even after they have already become rich.  Ponderous, however, suggests that Lear will not even become fulfilled with Cordelia’s love.  Thus, the Quarto does a better job of word choice than the folio.