King Lear Act 1 Analysis of the Opening Scene

We take a close look at the opening scene to Act 1. This analysis of Act 1, Scene 1 is designed as a study guide to help you understand, follow and appreciate Shakespeare’s King Lear. Analysis: Opening Scene to King Lear, Act 1 The Earl of Kent, Duke of Gloucester and his illegitimate son Edmund enter the King’s Court. The men discuss the division of the King’s estate; they consider which of Lear’s son in laws will be favored; The Duke of Albany or Cornwall. Gloucester introduces his illegitimate son Edmund; we also learn he has a second son (Edgar) who is legitimate but loved equally by Gloucester. King Lear enters with the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and attendants. He asks Gloucester to get the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy who has both expressed an interest in marrying Lear’s favorite daughter Cordelia. Lear then sets out his plan in a long speech: KING LEARMeantime we shall express our darker purpose.Give me the map there. Know that we have dividedIn three our kingdom: and tis our fast intentTo shake all cares and business from our age;Conferring them on younger strengths, while weUnburthend crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall,And you, our no less loving son of Albany,We have this hour a constant will to publishOur daughters several dowers, that future strifeMay be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,Great rivals in our youngest daughters love,Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,And here are to be answerd. Tell me, my daughters,--Since now we will divest us both of rule,Interest of territory, cares of state,--Which of you shall we say doth love us most?That we our largest bounty may extendWhere nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,Our eldest-born, speak first. A Divided Kingdom Lear then explains that he will divide his kingdom into three; he will divest the largest part of his kingdom on the daughter who professes her love most fervently. Lear believes his favorite daughter Cordelia will be most eloquent in professing her love for him and will, therefore, inherit the largest part of his kingdom. Goneril says that she loves her father more than ‘eyesight, space and liberty’, Regan says she loves him more than Goneril and ‘I am alone felicitate In your dear Highness’ love’. Cordelia refuses to take part in the ‘love test’ saying ‘nothing’, she believes her sisters are just saying what they need to say in order to get what they want and she refuses to take part in this; ‘I am sure my love’s more ponderous than my tongue’. Cordelias Refusal Lear’s pride has been knocked as his favorite daughter refuses to take part in his test. He becomes angry with Cordelia and denies her dowry. Kent tries to make Lear see sense and defends Cordelia’s actions as a true manifestation of her love. Lear angrily banishes Kent. France and Burgundy enter, Lear offers his daughter to Burgundy but explains that her worth has diminished and there is no longer a dowry. Burgundy refuses to marry Cordelia without a dowry but France wants to marry her regardless proving his true love for her and establishing her as a noble character by accepting her for her virtues alone. ‘Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; Most choice forsaken; and most loved, despised: Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon. Lear banishes his daughter to France. Goneril and Regan become nervous in witnessing their father’s treatment of his ‘favourite’ daughter. They think his age is making him unpredictable and that they may face his wrath if they do not do something about it. They resolve to consider their options.