King Lear decides to split his land into three parts, one for each of his daughters. He will divide the parts of land based on how much his daughters show their love. Goneril and Regan both respond with flattery in pursuit of more riches. Cordelia finds this superficial showcasing of her love for her father hard to deliver.
"Tell me, my daughters / Which of you shall we say doth love us most?" (I.i.49-53)
Cordelia doesn't respond as King Lear hoped his favourite would . Lear is enraged and banishes Cordelia. Even though Cordelia doesn't have the Kings blessings, the King of France who was originally pursuing her decides to make her his queen. Lear sends her off with no title, no land, and no blessings.
"Nothing" (I.i.90)
King Lear's faithful servant Kent disagrees with the Kings actions to banish Cordelia. Lear gets mad at Kent as well now and banishes him. Goneril and Regan begin to recognize that Lear my have gone mad and fear for their positions of power to be taken away like Cordelia. They begin to scheme in order to get rid of Lear's authority to keep their power at all costs.
Lear has gone mad...
Edmund uses a soliloquy to show his dissatisfaction with societies look upon bastards. In this tangent he starts his scheme against his brother, Edgar, who is legitimate and not a bastard. He writes a letter pretending to be his brother plotting against their father, Gloucester.
"Bastardy? Base, base? / Edmund the base / shall top the legitimate" (I.ii.10-21)
I can't believe he's believing this.
Edmund goes to his brother Edgar and tricks him into believing Gloucester is very angry with him. He exaggerates the anger so much by even insisting he carries around a sword with him for their father wants to kill Edgar. Gullible and honest Edgar believes Edmund fully and Edmund's plan is going along well.
"Armed, brother?" (I.ii.169)
Lear is staying at Goneril and Albany's place for the time being. Goneril is having difficulties with his stay and orders her servant, Oswald, to provoke Lear in order to give a reason to get rid of King Lear in her house and further get rid of Lear's authority.
Kent comes back to the King disguised as a servant and