1_KING LEAR - Act 1 Scene 1

1_KING LEAR - Act 1 Scene 1

1. We learn that Edmund has been 'out nine years, and away he/shall again'

2. Play opens at Lear's court. Kent and Gloucester discuss the division of the kingdom.

3. We discover that Lear has 2 son in laws - Dukes of Albany and Cornwall (Albany is his favourite according to Kent.

4. Gloucester reveals he has 2 sons, who he treats equally. Edmund (his illegitimate son) appears in this scene

5. Themes

   • Authority vs Chaos
     • Lear is the king and a father and when he gives away his AUTHORITY to the unworthy and evil, Goneril and Regan, he delivers not only himself and his family but all of Britain, into CHAOS and cruelty
   • Family Relationships
     • Parent/Child Relationships
       • Favourtism
         • Lear favours Cordelia over his other daughters
         • Gloucester claims to favour his sons equally, yet society favours the legitimate
   • Inheritance and property
     • Kent and Gloucester discuss the division of the kingdom
   • Appearances and Reality
     • Edmund's Silence: It is symbolic of his position as a bastard son, who has no 'voice', rights or position in society Shakespeare hides Edmund's true character at this point so that his opening soliloquy in the next scene is surprising.

6. Lear enters with his 3 daughters - Goneril (Albany's wife), Regan (Cornwall's wife) and Cordelia

7. Lear announces he has divided his kingdom into 3 and the daughters must take a 'love test' to decide which one is the most worthy of the largest share

8. Goneril and Regan take the 'love test' but Cordelia refuses.

   • 1st - Goneril says that she loves her father more than 'eyesight, space and liberty'
     • Persuavive
   • 2nd - Regan emphasises the value of her love; she should be priced at Goneril's 'worth'
     • comes too short
   • 3rd - Cordelia dislikes her sisters' 'ponderous' words and hopes that she will be able to speak of her love more honestly and simply
     • She says that she has 'nothing' to say, expect that she loves Lear as her duty instructs her
       • Lear is hurt and angry and urges her to speak again

9. Lear banishes Cordelia without hesitation

10. Kent attempts to argue with the King, accusing him of 'hideous rashness and warns him that Goneril and Regan are false flatterers.'

11. Further enraged, Lear banishes Kent too

12. He then calls on Cordelia's 2 suitors, France and Burgundy

13. Burgundy refuses her hand in marriage unless Lear provides the dowry he had promised previously

14. France takes her penniless and without her father's favour - for virtues alone

15. We learn that Lear intends keeping 100 knights, who will accompany him as he divides his time between Goneril and Regan

16. Goneril and Regan discuss the treatment of Cordeila and state that they are worried that they'll receive the same unfair treatment after Lear's rash judgement and unpredictable behaviour.

17. Motifs

    • Betrayal
      • Children betray Fathers
        • Lear feels as though Cordelia betrayed him
          • "I loved her most and thought to set my rest upon her kind nursery. Hence and avoid my sight!" (Lear about Cordelia)
    • Royalty/Kingship
      • Contrast between king Lear and the king of France
        • KING LEAR: Absolute ruler, evoking grandeur and authority, representing God and the reigning patriarchy of kingship until the 'love test'. Then he refuses questioning or wisdom of his lords. Shows vanity and is a foolish, egotistical old man
          • Previous greatness shown through Cordelia's, but largely Kent's devotion

18. "Unhappy that I am,I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty According to my bond; no more nor less."

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