ACT I notes: King Lear :: essays research papers

Act I, scenes iiiSummary Act I, scene iUnhappy that I am, I cannot heaveMy smell into my mouth.-Cordelia speaks these words when she maneuver her father, King Lear, who has demanded that his daughters tell him how much they experience him before he divides his realm among them (I.i.9092). In contrast to the empty flattery of Goneril and Regan, Cordelia offers her father a unbiased evaluation of her love for him she loves him according to my bond that is, she understands and accepts without question her duty to love him as a father and king. Although Cordelia loves Lear better than her sisters do, she is unable to heave her heart into her mouth, as her integrity prevents her from making a false declaration in order to gain his wealth. Lears rage at what he perceives to be her lack of affection sets the tragedy in motion. Cordelias refusal to flatter Lear, then, establishes her fairness and the authenticity of her love, while bringing about Lears dreadful misunderstanding of ju dgment.The play begins with twain noblemen, Gloucester and Kent, discussing the fact that King Lear is about to divide his kingdom. Their talk quickly changes, however, when Kent asks Gloucester to introduce his son. Gloucester introduces Edmund, explaining that Edmund is a bastard being raised out-of-door from home, but that he nevertheless loves his son dearly.Lear, the ruler of Britain, enters his throne agency and announces his plan to divide the kingdom among his three daughters. He intends to give up the responsibilities of government and spend his old age visiting his children. He commands his daughters to vocalize which of them loves him the most, promising to give the greatest share to that daughter.Lears scheming sometime(a) daughters, Goneril and Regan, respond to his test with flattery, telling him in wildly overblown hurt that they love him more than anything else. But Cordelia, Lears youngest (and favorite) daughter, refuses to speak. When pressed, she judges t hat she cannot heave her heart into her mouth, that she loves him barely as much as a daughter should love her father, and that her sisters wouldnt have husbands if they loved their father as much as they say (I.i.9091). In response, Lear flies into a rage, disowns Cordelia, and divides her share of the kingdom between her two sisters.The earl of Kent, a nobleman who has served Lear faithfully for many years, is the only courtier who disagrees with the kings actions.