King Lear

King Lear has decided he does not want all the power anymore. In order to be fair and avoid immediate conflict, he splits his land all into three, with one piece for each daughter of his. In order to get the power Lear makes each daughter profess their love for him. While Goneril and Regan embelish their speeches, Cordelia tells the truth.

Which one of you shall we say doth love us most? (I.i.52).

When Lear hears Cordelia's repsonse after her sister's elaborate ones he snaps. He punishes her by refusing to give her dowry, and the Duke of Burgundy then admits that he will not marry Cordelia without a dowry. Meanwhile France loves Cordelia enough to look past her lack of dowry. Kent gets banished for defending Cordelia to King Lear.

Beyond all manner of so much I love you (I.i.62).

I love your Majesty / According to my bond, no more nor less (I.i.94-95).

And I find that I am alone felicitate / In your dear Highness' love (I.i.77-78).

In King Lear's Palace

Better thou / Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better (I.i.235-236)

I am sorry you have so lost a father / That you may lose a husband (I.i.247-248).

She herself is a dowry (I.i.243).

With washed eyes / Cordelia leaves you... Love well our father (I.i.270-273).

Fare thee well, King (I.i.182).

Inside Gloucester's castle

Enter Edmund the Bastard, a letter in his hand

Edmund asks Nature why society views him as less than his brother Edgar only because he is not his father's legitimate son and is instead a bastard. In his soliloquy, Edmund explains how he intends to undermine his brother's legitimacy by deceiving his father with a fake letter that he wrote, which he plans on giving to Gloucester.

Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land / Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund (I.ii.15-16)

As to the word legitimate. Fine word, legitimate ! ... Edmund the base / Shall top the legitimate; I grow; I prosper (I.ii.17-21).

Now, Gods, stand up for the bastards (I.ii.22)!

In the forged letter Edmund wrote acting like it was his brother Edgar. Edmund criticises his father by talking about his age and how when he should give his role to his sons already. The letter makes Gloucester seem like someone who wants to preserve power in order to prevent his sons from inheriting anything. Gloucester is devestated by his son Edgar's betrayal. Edmund’s goal is to get rid of his brother, then his father, and become Earl in his own right.

If our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your brother (I.ii.42-54)

If this letter speed / And my invention thrive (I.ii.19-20).

To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him out... Frame the business after your own wisdom (I.ii.96-99).

Goneril fears that even though her father has divided his kingdom and given up his power, he will continue to demand control and authority. Goneril, tells Oswald ignore Lear's requests and if he complains he should be told to move to his other daughter Regan's palace. She then tells Oswald to also tell Regan to act the same way if Lear comes to stay with her.

Inside the Duke of Albany's palace

Enter Goneril and Oswald, her steward

Put on what weary negligence you please, / You are your fellows... If he distaste it, let him to my sister (I.iii.13-15)

Inside the Duke of Albany's palace.

Kent has not left England but is instead disguised so he can be around Lear once again. Lear decides to keep him around. A knight then tells Lear about the mistreatment he is facing in Albany's palace. Lear and Oswald begin to get angry with each other just as Goneril and Lear argue over this matter.

Make it more like a tavern or a brothel / Than a graced palace (I.iv.241-242)

Woe that too late repents (I.iv.254)!

For my duty cannot be silent when I think your Highness has wronged (I.iv.62-63).