ACT ONE

ACT ONE

1. SUBPLOT

   • Edmond & Glouster: RELATIONSHIP
     • "there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged" GLOUCESTER
       • Gloucester speaks bluntly about EDMOND'S mother and his bastard status - it feels the audience to pity EDMOND
         • Bastard children were often NOT acknowledged by their fathers - especially not noblemen.

2. LEAR

   • "while we // unburdened crawl toward death"
     • This is ironic since Lear will die, as a result of this very speech and it will cause him many burdens and strife.
   • "that future strife // May be prevented now"
   • "Come not between the dragon and his wrath"

3. GONNERILL

   • Hyperbolic and Fake
     • "Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty"
       • comparative adjective and abstract nouns create the hyperbolic tone - doesn't sound very sincere

4. CORDELIA

   • "Love, and be silent"
     • Her love is true for her father so she doesn't feel the need to justify it
       • REPITITION OF NOTHING
   • "since I am sure my love's // More pnderous than my tongue"
     • Actions speak louder than words is her message
   • "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave // My heart into my mouth"
   • "I love your majesty // According to my bond"

5. REGAN

   • SIBLING RIVALRY
     • "Only she comes too short"
       • Regan tries to undermime Gonnerill - foreshadowing their later conflict
   • "I am made of that self-mettle as my sister"
     • They're both cold (mettle)