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KING LEAR- Act 1 Scene 1 (CHARACTERS (Kent (Lear's loyal servant is…
KING LEAR- Act 1 Scene 1
PLOT
- Opens with Kent and Gloucester discussing G's sons, Edmund's bastardy and Edgar who he claims to hold "no dearer in [his] account"
- Lear enters to a meeting with the "darker purpose" of declaring the division of the country between his daughters so he can "shake all cares" in his old age
- Meanwhile, he will also marry off Cordelia to one of her two suitors (France and Burgundy)
- Which daughter gets which sections of the country will be decided in a public competition of "Which of you shall we say doth love us most"
- Goneril begins and plays along, claiming to love Lear "more than word can wield the matter" and recieves a share of land
- Cordelia worries about what she shall say
- Regan takes her turn and says she feels the same as her sister "only she comes too short" and also recieves a moderate share of land
- Finally attention turns to Lear's "joy", Cordelia who says "nothing"
- Lear gives Cordelia several chances to "mend [her] speech" but ultimately she "cannot heave [her] heart into [her] mouth"
- Lear grows furious and disowns and banishes both his youngest daughter, who he "loved...most" and Kent who tries to defend Cordelia
- France and Burgundy enter, Burgundy refuses to marry Cordelia without her dowry, as Lear claims "her price is fallen"
- However, France says that "she is herself a dowry" and wishes to marry Cordelia
- Once only Goneril and Regan remain on stage,the two discuss their father and "how full of changes his age is" and they scheme to team up against him
STAGECRAFT
There is a huge amount of people watching and this large audience increases the stakes of the situation. There is lots of pressure on the sisters and also on Lear to maintain his status, the publicity of his embarrassment from Cordelia increases his anger.
Cordelia gives asides to the audience, which prepare us for her refusal to partake in Lear's game, allowing us to forgive her, pity her and form a closer bond with her
CHARACTERS
Kent
Lear's loyal servant is present, always follows and serves Lear
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Lear
At this stage Lear is at his most powerful, before dividing his kingdom, he is seen clearly full of pride and arrogance
Cornwall and Albany
The spouses of Goneril and Regan, also invested in this situation as they have power and want to inherit Lear's land.
Goneril, Regan and Cordelia
It is a very important and defining moment for the three sisters, greatly determines their future, particularly Cordelia .
The court and attendants
The large public audience increases pressure on the sisters and Lear's anger at his embarrassment from Cordelia
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TRAGIC PURPOSE
Establishes Lear's initial power and strength,as well as the status of the other characters in relation to the king.
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LANGUAGE
Epithet
Epithets are frequently used to establish the relationships between characters, status and how we Shakespeare intends for us to perceive them. (e.g. pity or dislike)
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Imperatives
Lear uses many imperatives, which highlight his power, status and dominance
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Past tense
The past tense is used when discussing the division of the kingdom, showing that Lear has already decided who gets which parts of the kingdom due to his favouritism, This suggests that the entire 'love game' is just a spectacle for his own pride, a public display of vanity.
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STRUCTURE
As the opening scene, it does well to establish the characters, their statuses and personalities
It is a powerful opening scene, demonstrating Lear's power, rage and hubris
We also see the sisters portrayed effectively, showing the manipulative and scheming sides of Goneril and Regan, contrasted with Cordelia's honesty, purity and virtuosity.
Immediately after dividing his kingdom Lear's power diminishes. He gives an order but has to follow it with "Who stirs?" as no attendants move to serve him
SYMBOLISM
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Sight
Many characters make reference to sight, reflecting Lear's blindness
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KEY QUOTES
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Love
"Why have my sisters husbands, if they say they love you all?"
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"dearer than eyesight, space and liberty"
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