King Lear Act 1

Edmund tricks Edgar into thinking that Gloucester is enraged at him and is looking for him. He convinces Edgar that it would be best for Edgar to go into hiding and to always carry a sword around him.

h

Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, wants to take the inheritance of Edgar (Gloucester’s legitimate son). Edmund convinces Gloucester by forging a letter that says Edgar wants to kill Gloucester and take his inheritance even faster.

h

j

You didnt boost my ego - I mean profess your love for me. You are disowned.

“Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter” (I.i.56)

I love you as much as Goneril but double that!

h

King Lear has divided his land into three sections and asks his three daughters to profess their love for him, so Lear can distribute the three sections of the land between the daughters. The two oldest daughters lie and exaggerate their love for him.

The youngest daughter, Cordelia does not exaggerate her love for Lear, so Lear takes away her third of the land and disowns her. Lear’s advisor, Kent, tries to reason with Lear, so Lear banishes Kent from the kingdom.

Lear: “Let it be so! Thy truth be thy dower!” (I.i.110)

France and Burgundy arrive to negotiate for the marriage of Cordelia. King Lear informs them Cordelia no longer has a dowry, and Burgundy leaves as he was only interested in the dowry. France agrees to marry Cordelia since he is interested in her, not the dowry.

King Lear decides to spend time at Goneril’s estate, and brings 100 knights with him. Goneril complains to her servant, Oswald, about the mess the knights are causing, and encourages him to provoke Lear in hopes of convincing Lear to leave.