King Lear Text Book - Act 1 - Scene 1

8/10/2019 King Lear Text Book - Act 1 - Scene 1

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What Happens in Shakespeares King Lear by Nick Buchanan


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What Happens inShakespeares

King Lear

Comprising the whole of Shakespeares text annotated

By

Nick Buchanan


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All rights reservedCopyright Nick Buchanan 2013

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Nick Buchanan is hereby identified as author of this

work in accordance with Section 77 of the

Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988

Book Cover Design by Nick Buchanan 2013

Book layout and design by Nick Buchanan 2013

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or

otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the authors

prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published

and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the

subsequent purchaser

A CIP record of this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-1-291-63507-2

This is the Second Edition of this book


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For my mother and father

lovers of literature who encourageda love of language and

a curiosity aboutlife itself.

This is for you both withAll the love a little boy can give.


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King LearDramatis Personae

LEAR- King of Britain

GONERIL Eldest Daughter of Lear

REGAN Second Daughter of Lear

CORDELIA- Youngest Daughter of Lear

DUKE OF CORNWALL Husband to Regan

DUKE OF ALBANY Husband to Goneril

DUKE OF BURGUNDY Suitor to Cordelia

KING OF FRANCE- Suitor and later Husband to Cordelia

FOOL Lears entertainer

EARL OF GLOUCESTER Friend of Lear

EDGAR- Son of Gloucester (later disguised as Poor Tom)

EDMUND- Illegitimate Son of Gloucester.

OSWALD- Steward of Goneril.

EARL OF KENT Courtier of Lear (later disguised as Caius)

CURAN- Courtier of Gloucesters household

OLD MAN A Servant of Gloucester

DOCTOR- Attendant on Cordelia

GENTLEMAN- Attendant on Cordelia

A CAPTAIN Employee of Edmund.

A HERALD

Servants to Cornwall.

Knights of Lear's train, Captains, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants

Scene: Britain


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Act 1


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Act 1 Scene 1

King Lear

Act 1: Scene 1King Lear's palace

The play opens with friends and family waiting around in Lears palace

he will enter soon and set about dividing his inheritance between his

three daughters. As he is eighty-odd years old, he wants to shake all

cares and business from [his] age; Conferring them on younger

strengths.

We first meet the Earl of Kent and the Earl of Gloucester both friends

of Lear. We also meet Edmund, who is Gloucesters illegitimate son.

As with so many of Shakespeares plays, the opening dialogue reveals

a key theme that will be revisited throughout the play. In King Lear,

the leitmotif introduced here is the contrast between appearanceand

reality; between what merely seemsand what is. In the very first line

of the play, Kent remarks that he thought Lear favoured one son in law

(the Duke of Albany) more than the other (the Duke of Cornwall):


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Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER and EDMUND

KENT:

I thought the King had more affected the Duke ofAlbany than Cornwall.

Had more affectedmeans was fonder of, loved more, favoured more.

Albanycomes from Albanacte whose region was from the River Humber to the point of

Caithness(Holinshead); that is from Hull, all the way up to Caithness in Scotland. In this play,

which opens with the division of a kingdom, the characters themselves are named after regions.

Cornwallincluded a region far greater than todays Cornwall. Indeed it extended much nearer

to London.

Gloucesters reply contains arcane words which we are not familiar

with (moiety) and a familiar word (curiosity) used in an unfamiliar

way. Rest assured that this is about as hard as it gets and the vast

majority of the play is much easier. Gloucester is saying that as far as

Lear favouring Albany over Cornwall, it always seemed that way to

him, but now that Lear is dividing up his Kingdom it isnt clear, since

both may be receiving an equal share:

GLOUCESTER:

It did always seem so to us; but now, in thedivision of the kingdom, it appears not which of the

Dukes he values most, for equalities are so weighed that

curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.

Uscould mean Edmund and I

Curiosityhere means careful scrutiny (i.e. careful enquiry).

Moietymeans share (parts into which something can be divided. From the French: moiti,

meaning half).

As they wait for Lear to appear, they continue with their small-talk.Kent asks Gloucester if the man nearby (Edmund) is one of

Gloucesters sons. Even in such a minor line, the question concerns

matters of appearanceand reality. Gloucester playfully concedes that

Edmund is his, though illegitimate. He also tells Kent that he has

another son (Edgar) who is a year older and legitimate, adding that his

affection for both is equal (thus echoing Lears perceived equal favour

for Albany and Cornwall). Gloucester introduces Edmund to Kent, and

they promise a duty of service to one another.

KENT:Is not this your son, my lord?


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Act 1 Scene 1

GLOUCESTER:His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge.

I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I

am brazed to it. 10

Breedingmeans upbringing (but puns on intercourse to set up the conceive pun which

follows)At my chargemeans my responsibility (could mean financial responsibility, i.e. charged to

my account.)Brazed to itmeans unashamed of it, brazen to fact, bold about it.

KENT:I cannot conceive you.

Conceivemeans understand (but Gloucester then puns on it exploiing its other meaning as

one who becomes pregnant).

GLOUCESTER:Sir, this young fellow's mother could;whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had indeed,

sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her

bed. Do you smell a fault?

Eremeans before.

Faultis also slang for womens genitals. So this doubles as a bawdy joke.

KENT:I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being

so proper.

The Fault undoneas well as its obvious meaning, this also plays upon the bawdy use of fault

meaning Vagina. Thus, the fault undone means the vagina uncopulated.Issuemeans result (i.e. Edmund himself).

Propermeans handsome, fine looking.

Gloucester tells Kent he has another son who is older than Edmund

and he loves them both the same:

GLOUCESTER:But I have a son, sir, by order of law, some

year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account.

Though this knavecame something saucily to the world, 20

before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there

was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must beacknowledged.

By order of lawmeans legitimately, lawfully.

Somemeans about.


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No dearer in my accountmeans worth the same, no greater in my estimation.Knavemeans boy (although this is Gloucesters obvious meaning, Knave can also mean villain.

It is likely that Shakespeare chose the word for its ambiguity).

Somethingmeans somewhat.

Saucilymeans rudely, lasciviously, insolently.

Good sportmeans enjoyableenergetic sexual passionWhoresonhere simply means illegitimate son (but can mean a detestable person)

There are many financial puns above...values...weighed...my charge...

dearer...account.These precede Lears love auction wherein he puts a

price on his daughters love for him.

The fact that Gloucester is willing to speak about his sexual dalliances

in such a tactless way in front of Edmund shows a lack of judgement.

His boasting is in poor taste. Now he formally introduces Edmund to

Kent:

Do you know this noble gentleman,

Edmund?

EDMUND:No, my lord.

GLOUCESTER:My lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter

as my honourable friend.

EDMUND:My services to your lordship.

KENT:I must love you and sue to know you better.

Suemeans appeal to you,request from you, (modern equivalents would be strive, orseek)

EDMUND:Sir, I shall study deserving. 30

GLOUCESTER:He hath been out nine years, and away he

shall again. The King is coming.

Study deservingmeans do everything I can to deserve your favour.

Outmeans out of the country, abroad.

No sooner are Edmund and Kent introduced, and Gloucester has

commented on how Edmund has been abroad (as a soldier?) than King


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Act 1 Scene 1

Lear enters with his daughters (Goneril, Regan and Cordelia), the Duke

of Albany (Gonerils Husband), the Duke of Cornwall (Regans

husband) and attendants.

Gloucester has just told us that he loves both of his children equally.

Lear will now test if his three daughters all love him equally. The

informal prose of Kent, Edmund and Gloucesters chit-chat is now

traded for the more formal poetry of the Kings court. Lear begins by

asking Gloucester to call the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy

(both suitors to Cordelia):

Sound a sennet. Enter one bearing a coronet.

Enter KING LEAR, CORNWALL, ALNBANY,GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA and Attendants

Sennetis a trumpet call, heralding entrances and exits.

Coronetmeans crown.

KING LEAR:Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,

Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER:I shall, my liege.

Exeunt GLOUCESTER and EDMUND

Attendmeans Wait on, bring into attendance, bring here, fetch, let them attend.

KING LEAR:Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.

Give me the map there. Know that we have divided

In three our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent

To shake all cares and business from our age,

Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 40Unburdened crawl toward death.

Wemeans I. Lear is using the Royal plural.

Our means my. Lear is using the Royal plural.

Darkermeans not yet revealed, hidden, secret (it could be deliberately ambiguous to suggest

something ominous).Fast intentmeansfixed intention, firm resolve.

Businessmeans official duties, regal responsibilities.Conferringmeans bequeathing, bestowing.

The antithesis between strong youth and the weak elderly is a theme

which runs throughout the whole play. Shakespeare uses further


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antithesis in the above passage; the firmness of fastis followed by

the precariousness of shake;those who are unburdenedstill crawl

as if their burdens were not gone. These brilliant contrasts precede

the fact that Lears intent to have an easier life will be violently

thwarted.

The play could be read as a warning against the folly of dividing up a

kingdom. The King James Version of the bible has the verse Every

Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation,(St. Matthew

12:25). This would be known by audiences contemporary to this play.

As a fable against division, it would also have found favour with James

1st

who wanted a united Britain.

The use of a map here is not accidental. It serves as a representation

of reality.In a moment Lear will confuse representation withreality

when he takes flattery to signify love. But first he lets his daughters

husbands and suitors know that he is about to make clear their

inheritance.

Our son of Cornwall -

And you, our no less loving son of Albany -We have this hour a constant will to publish

Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife

May be prevented now.

Sonmeans son in law (in both line 41 and 42).Constant willmeans resolution, determined intention, a steadfast desire.Publishmeansproclaim, make public.

Severalmeans separate, individual, respective.Thatmeans so that.

Lears intent - that future troubles may be avoided by means of this

division of his Kingdom is not only, notrealised; but his imminent

behaviourpositively guarantees that there will be conflicts and

difficulties.Not least of all because he rewards the bad and punishes

the good. But first, having addressed Goneril and Regans husbands,

the king now turns to Cordelias two suitors and addresses them:

The princes, France and Burgundy,

Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,

And here are to be answered.

Greatmeans noble, strong.


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Act 1 Scene 1

Youngest daughtersmeans Cordelias.

Sojournmeans stay.

Answeredmeans offered a response, conclusion.

Kents opening line I thought the king had more affected the Duke of

Albany, than Cornwall,is now revisited in Lears question of which

daughter loves him(affects him) most:

Tell me, my daughters,

Since now we will divest us both of rule,

Interest of territory, cares of state, 50Which of you shall we say doth love us most?

Wemeans I (Lear is using the Royal plural).

Both- Shakespeare follows the word both with three items (not the conventional two). Hedoes this a few times in King Lear. Apparently the practice was common in Elizabethan times.

Interest of territorymeans titles to land, ownership of a region.Cares of statemeans administrative responsibilities.

From their answers Lear will determine which of them will receive the

most. Whoever has the most naturalaffection for him will gain the

largest portion of his kingdom. But already he is mistaking lip-service

for actual love:

That we our largest bounty may extend

Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,

Our eldest born, speak first.

Bountymeans gift, offering.

Challengemeans lay claim to it, stake a claim.

Goneril suggests that words are inadequate to express her love, which

is more valuable to her than her eyesight, movement and freedom:

GONERIL:Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter,

Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty,

Wieldmeans handle, shape, express, contain. The metaphor is of a sword which is too heavy

to be lifted or used properly (such is the gravitas of her love).

Spacemeans movement, scope, freedom to roam.

Libertymeans the enjoyment of freedom, the experience of self-determination.

Ironically, the three things Goneril claims to hold dear eye-sight,

space and libertyare all things which she and Regan between them

take from others as the play progresses (in the characters of

Gloucester, Lear and Cordelia, respectively).


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Sightand seeingare recurrent motifs in King Lear. Through them we

explore how we get our information about the outside world and how

rich or poor our vision is. Goneril is only referring to eye-sight as

something less dear than her love for her father. Her litany continues

as it started, full of hyperbole:

Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;

No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour,

Gracemeans virtue.

She goes on to say that she loves him as much as any father found

himself to be loved by his child:

As much as child e'er loved or father found;

Eermeans ever.

With a love which makes words poor and speech inadequate;

exceeding all the different ways she could possibly express greatness:

A love that makes breath poor and speech unable; 60

Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

Breathmeans words, language.

Poormeans inadequate, weak, feeble.

Unablemeans useless, incompetent, inadequate.

As the play unfolds it becomes clear that Goneril is professing a love in

words that she doesnt genuinely feel or manifest at any point in the

play.

Cordelia, hearing Gonerils lies and seeing her fathers pleasure at

them, is thrown into a quandry as to what she should do. She doesnt

want to participate in such a charade and resolves not to:

CORDELIA:(Aside)What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent.

Many productions have a Cordelia who is coldly resolute, and even

priggish. However she says herself Love and be silentshowing that inher resolve is compassion and love. Cordelias asides help to create

dramatic tension as the reader/viewer is invited to share her dilemma.


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Act 1 Scene 1

The King, flattered by Gonerils fiction, offers her a generous portion

of his land (which presumably, he indicates on his map):

LEAR:

Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,With shadowy forests and with champains riched,

With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,

We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issues

Be this perpetual.

Boundsmeans boundaries.

Shadowymeans shady.

Champains richedmeansfertile plains, (enriched plains).

Wide-skirted meadsmeans broad meadows.

Issuesmeans children, offspring, lineage.Be this perpetualmeansforever (i.e. Britain, now divided, should ever remain so, and these

lands be owned by Goneril and Albanys offspring).

If Lear were really dividing his land according to each daughters

flattery, he would have waited until all three had spoken before

deciding each portion. In deciding Gonerils portion before hearing

Regan and Cordelia, we can assume that his decisions have already

been made and this love auction is merely a pretentious indulgence

for a King who craves public flattery.

Lear then invites Regan to profess her love:

What says our second daughter,

Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall?

Regans response amounts to I love you in the same way as Goneril,

but even more!

REGAN:I am made of that self mettle as my sister,

And prize me at her worth. In my true heart 70I find she names my very deed of love;Only she comes too short,

That selfmeans exact, identical.

Mettlemeans material, substance (also a pun on metal suggesting coins or coldness).

Deedmeans action, the very items of her love (also a pun on deeds as in legal documents and

ownership).

In effect, Regan is saying the love which Goneril speaks is the love I

practice in all my actions. Regans intent is clear; she not only


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professes the same love as her sister, but also insists that Lear give her

land of equal portion (and prize me at her worth).It is as if she is not

just playing the game of flattery, but also telling Lear how much her

flattery should be worth. This exchange of nice words for land is very

clear in Regans mind indeed her mercenary nature gets the better

of her and halfway through her speech (above) she claims to love her

father even more than Goneril (whose performance she now says

comes too short).

that I profess

Myself an enemy to all other joys

Which the most precious square of sense possesses,

And find I am alone felicitateIn your dear highness' love.

Thatmeans in that, because.

Precious square of sensemeans balanced good sense.

Alonemeans only.

Felicitatemeansjoyful, happy.

Regan is suggesting that Lear is her solitary source of happiness; that

nothing in life gives her pleasure only her fathers love.

The following aside by Cordelia reveals that she is feeling growing

pressure to deliver even greater flattery than her false sisters. She

contrasts her poorposition (an obligation to be false and please her

father with flattery) with the genuine richnessof her love:

CORDELIA:(Aside)

Then poor Cordelia!

And yet not so, since, I am sure, my love'sMore ponderous than my tongue.

Poormeanspitiful (but also a pun on monetary impoverishment which is prophetic due to

her imminent lack of remuneration).

Ponderousmeans weighty, substantial.

Cordelia knows that words fail to accurately describe or express

genuine love.

Meanwhile Lear, pleased with Regans obsequiousness, rewards herwith a portion of his kingdom equal to that bestowed on Goneril:


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KING LEAR:Nothing?

CORDELIA:

Nothing.

The whole engine of the play is driven from Cordelias previous two

replies. From this point onwards, Lear begins his sad stepstowards

estrangement from Cordelia, then Kent, then finally himself (and his

own sanity):

KING LEAR:Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again. 90

Nothing will come of nothingcomes from the latin Maxim, ex nihilo

nihil fit(first argued by Parmenides) which Shakespeare probably

knew. Sixty years after this play was written the phrase was

appropriated by many in the Enlightenment to express their challenge

to the religious assertion that creation sprang from nothing.

Whilst Lear is referring to Cordelias inheritance when he says Nothing

will come of nothing, we see the irony of his comments in thateverythingin this play is driven from Cordelias nothing; her nothing

causes everything which follows:

CORDELIA:Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave

My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty

According to my bond, no more nor less.

Bondmeansfilial obligation, the bond of natural affection, duty.

Lear continues to treat Love as a commodity which can be used to

purchase favours. He encourages Cordelia to say more to get more:

KING LEAR:How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little,

Lest you may mar your fortunes.

Mendmeans alter, improve, fix.Marmeans spoil, ruin.

But Cordelia does not wish to link her inheritance with any

proclamations of love let alone false ones. She responds with a


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Act 1 Scene 1

realistic appraisal of her love (which clearly lacks the overblown claims

of her sisters words).

CORDELIA:

Good my lord,You have begot me, bred me, loved me:

I return those duties back as are right fit,

Obey you, love you, and most honour you.

Good my lordwas a common form of address in Shakespeares time is usually affectionate

like my dear lord.

Begotmeans conceived.

I return those duties...fitmeans I reciprocate in an appropriate manner.

Obey you...honour youthis line echoes the marriage service in the Prayer book (Wilt thou

obey him, love, honour and keep him?) and it precedes her discussion about her sisters maritalobligations.

To dispel any further ideas that Cordelia is wan and twee, it is worth

noting that she now (in front of everyone) proceeds to take her sisters

to task over their false claims of love:

Why have my sisters husbands, if they say

They love you all? Haply when I shall wed, 100

That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carryHalf my love with him, half my care and duty.

Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,

To love my father all.

Allmeans with all of their being, entirely.

Haplymeansperhaps.

Take my plightmeans receive my pledge, accept my troth, take my hand in marriage (Edgar

mentions troth-plight in Act 3, Scene 4, line 117).

Lear regards Cordelias love as scant and meagre. However it is clearthat Cordelia did say [I] obey you, love you, and most honour you.

However her sincere level-headedness sounds impoverished

compared to her sisters impressive and colourful lies. Lear remains

shocked:

KING LEAR:But goes thy heart with this?

CORDELIA:Ay, my good lord.

Although Cordelia is being courageous and showing great integrity,


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she appears naive as to the likely impact of her short replies. She

might have got a better response by making clear her desire not to

participate in such a show of love. Instead she offers only clipped and

terse responses. Perhaps she lacks tact and diplomacy. Her short

answers are too easily mistaken for insolence or disrespect. Lear

continues to view her refusal to participate as a sign of her

indifference towards him:

KING LEAR:So young, and so untender?

CORDELIA:

So young, my lord, and true.

Cordelia has tried to correct Lear, but again the misunderstandings

persist. She is asserting the truth of her of her statements that her

love for him is genuine and not mere flattery but Lear reads this as

an unyielding affront. He punishes her by offering her nothing:

KING LEAR:Let it be so; thy truth then be thy dower,

Then, rashly he disowns her as his daughter swearing to disclaim her

by the suns radiance, by magic and by the stars and planets that

govern life and death:

For by the sacred radiance of the sun,

The mysteries of Hecate and the night, 110By all the operation of the orbs

From whom we do exist, and cease to be,

Hecatewas Goddess of the infernal world and of witchcraft.

Operationmeans influence, machinations.

Lear renounces any fatherliness towards Cordelia, severing any

relationship forged by their common blood. He resolves to forever

regard her as a stranger to his feelings and to himself:

Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

Propinquity and property of blood,And as a stranger to my heart and meHold thee from this for ever.

Propinquitymeans closeness (as in a relationship).


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Act 1 Scene 1

Property of bloodmeansfamily ties, blood obligations.

Thiscould mean Lear himself (i.e. he holds her away from him), or it could meanher

inheritance (i.e. the land on the map) or it could meanthis moment (as in this moment on).

In his rage, which is really a measure of his misplaced hurt, Lear

invokes a horrible image saying that Cordelia would now be as

welcome to him as barbarians who eat their own:

The barbarous Scythian,

Or he that makes his generation messes

To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom

Be as well neighboured, pitied, and relieved

As thou my sometime daughter.

Scythianmeans savage (the Sythians who lived in southern Russia were thought to be

cannibalistic by those who feared them).

Makes his generation messesmeans eats his own children (turns his offspring into messes =

food).

Neighbouredmeans kindly treated (i.e. with neighbourly hospitality).

Sometimemeansformer, previous, one-time.

It is worth noting that this first part of King Lear is very like a fairy

tale...Once upon a time a King had three daughters and one day he

gathered them together to ask which of them loved him the most...

The ending of Lear, of course, is far from fairytale; far from... and they

all lived happily ever after.

Already the themes of appearanceand realityare looming large.

Cordelia was disinherited because Lear thought her unloving (when in

fact she loved her father dearly) and Goneril and Regan were

rewarded because Lear thought them loving (when in fact they only

spoke as if they were lovingin order to get his land).

Kent cannot bear this miscarriage of justice and he appeals to Lear:

KENT:Good my liege -- 120

But Lear is unrelenting:

KING LEAR:

Peace, Kent!Come not between the dragon and his wrath.

I loved her most, and thought to set my rest

On her kind nursery.


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Set my restmeans retire to, retire with (the phrase comes from the 16th

and 17th

Century card

game Primero where it means risk all on. Shakespeare is probably alluding to the fact that he

would have betted everything on Cordelia, as well as the fact that she is the daughter he would

wish to reside with most).

Nurserymeans nursing, care (i.e. of Lear).

Lears concession that he loved Cordelia most, further explains Kents

shock at this turn of events. He has just confessed also that he was

intending to spend his retirement years with her. The words Kent

spoke at the very opening of the play reverberate powerfully and (with

a change of names only) would fit perfectly here I thought the king

had more affected [Cordelia], than [her sisters]. But Lear is

unrelenting Kent is to go. Lear says that his own death will be his

consolation since he has withdrawn his love from Cordelia:

(To Cordelia)Hence, and avoid my sight!

So be my grave my peace as here I give

Her father's heart from her. Call France! Who stirs?

Call Burgundy! Cornwall and Albany,

Avoidmeans leave, keep away from.

Asmeans since.

Givemeans take (i.e. give away elsewhere).Who stirs?means is nobody awake here? Get on with it! Shape up!

Lear gives away Cordelias portion to Goneril and Regan, mistaking

Cordelias integrity for pride. He misreads her regretful non-

participation in the love trial as evidence of someone infuriatingly

pious and aloof:

With my two daughters' dowers digest the third.

Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her.

Digestmeans absorb, assimilate, incorporate, include.

Thirdmeans the one third which was going to be Cordelias land.

In effect, Lear is saying lets see her find a husband without her

having any inheritance; lets see her marry with just her pride on

offer. Rashly, Lear then gives away his power and authority to Goneril

and Regan.

I do invest you jointly with my power, 130

Pre-eminence, and all the large effects

That troop with majesty.


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Act 1 Scene 1

Pre-eminencemeans superiority.

Large effectsmeans wide ranging perks, extras.

That troop with majestymeans which accompany royalty (i.e. the trappings of privilege).

He then says he will stay with each of them - alternating on a monthly

basis, reserving the right to have a hundred Knights looked after by

them:

Ourself, by monthly course,

With reservation of an hundred knights,

By you to be sustained, shall our abode

Make with you by due turn;

Ourselfmeans I (Lear is using the royal plural).

By monthly coursemeans through alternate months.Reservationmeans reserving the privilege.

Sustainedmeans supported, cared for, well-maintained.

Finally, he announces that he will be King in name only, that he will

retain the ceremonies of king, but will give away his influence, tax

revenues, and all other administrations. Symbolically he offers his

sons-in-law his crown, inviting them to share it:

Only we still retainThe name and all thaddition to a king; the sway,

Revenue, execution of the rest,

Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,

This coronet part between you.

Giving the crown

Additionmeans titles and honours.

Swaymeans control, influence.

Coronetmeans crown.Partmeans share, split, divide.

But (to borrow a line from Henry IV Part 2) Uneasy lies the head that

wears the crown.In the case of Albany and Cornwall, they have none

of the qualities necessary for leadership and diplomacy.

Kent courageously tries to intervene once more. Before he publicly

criticises Lear, he first reminds the King of the respect, honour, love

and loyalty he has always afforded him:

KENT:Royal Lear,


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also where it will lead (the implications and consequences). He offers

to be for Lear the clear sight that Lear is missing. But Lear will have

none of it:

KING LEAR:Out of my sight!

KENT:See better, Lear; and let me still remain

The true blank of thine eye.

Stillmeans always, steadfastly.

True Blankmeans the straight path to your target, the direct, point blank, the point of your

aim. The origin of this word is the French blanc because the centre of most archery targets is

white. Kent is saying focus on what I am saying and your aim will be true.

In imploring Lear to see better,when Lear says Out of my sight,Kent

refers to another great theme of the play, that of sight and seeing. In

the beginning of Act 1 Scene 2 this theme will be explored further, and

as the play unfolds it will become a powerful theme.

Kent continues to try to break through Lears stubbornness, and Lear

counters him at every turn:

KING LEAR:Now by Apollo -- 160

KENT:Now, by Apollo, King,

Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.

KING LEAR: O, vassal! Miscreant!

Laying his hand on his sword

Apollois the Sun God who is also the God of Archery (both appropriate to the previous

dialogue about aim, targets and seeing).

Vassalmeans an inferior, a wretch.

Miscreantmeans an unbeliever (because Kents reply suggested he did not believe in Apollo).

It is probable that Lears reaching for his sword is merely a rash threat;nevertheless it is an act of violence against a loyal servant and friend.

Even the husbands of Goneril and Regan appeal to the Kings better

judgement:


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Act 1 Scene 1

ALBANY andCORNWALL:

Dear sir, forbear!

Forbearmeans stop, cease, desist.

Kent then reminds Lear that he can kill the doctor who brings accurate

diagnosis, but that would simply leave him with the disease. He tells

Lear that as long as he has the breath to speak, he will say that Lear

has done wrong.

KENT:Kill thy physician and thy fee bestowUpon thy foul disease. Revoke thy gift,

Or whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,I'll tell thee thou dost evil.

Revoke thy giftmeans retain that which you are giving away. This probably refers to

Cordelias portion which has been given to Goneril and Regan (or it could refer to the broader

issue of Lear dividing his kingdom).

Vent clamourmeans shout out a cry, make a noise.

It should be remembered that Kents opposition to the King has been

played out before a large cohort of family, friends, suitors (including

Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, Albany, Cornwall, servants and attendants,etc). Lear, being so publicly opposed by Kent, resorts to his authority,

demanding servility from Kent:

KING LEAR:Hear me, recreant,

On thine allegiance, hear me!

Recreantmeans traitor.

At this point, Lear looks like an ego out of control; truth is ignored and

he has only insults for good people. In this case he has just called his

good friend a traitor, and now he goes further, to banish and hate

him also.

He tells Kent that because he tried to make him reverse his decision

(which he has never done before) and with such a forceful manner,

trying to prevent the Kings judgement from becoming law (which

neither Lear nor his office can allow)...:

That thou hast sought to make us break our vow,

Which we durst never yet, and, with strained pride


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To come betwixt our sentence and our power, 170

Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,

Thatmeans seeing that, since, in that, because.

Durstmeans ventured, dared to venture.

Strainedmeansforced, excessive, strained to the limit.

Sentencemeansjudgement.

Powermeans ability to carry out a sentence.

...Lears power will have direct effect (he asserts his royal authority).

Kent is to be banished:

Our potency made good, take thy reward.

Potencymeanspower, authority, command.Made goodmeans expressed, executed, fulfilled, finding expression.

Rewardmeansjust deserts, sentence, punishment.

Then Lear outlines the terms and conditions of Kents banishment:

Five days we do allot thee for provision

To shield thee from disasters of the world,And on the sixth to turn thy hated back

Upon our kingdom. If, on the tenth day following,

Thy banished trunk be found in our dominions,The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter,

This shall not be revoked.

Disastersmeans troubles.

Trunkmeans body.

Revokedmeans retracted, reversed.

In this first part of the play, Lear is very like the archetype of Jove; the

God of the Old Testament who is jealous and quick to anger, the God

who tests his subjects to breaking point - asking Abraham to kill his

own son as a show of love, and tormenting Job to prove to Lucifer that

his servant loves him whatever his circumstance. His rages are

thunderous and he demands obedience.

Kent comments that if the king insists on behaving this way, then he

will resign himself to liberty elsewhere. Kent now speaks in four

couplets; first to Lear, then Cordelia, then to Goneril and Regan,

before finally offering a farewell to everyone. The tone of his speech is

more general and less direct than his previous exchanges with Lear:


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Flourish. Enter GLOUCESTER, with KING OF FRANCE,BURGUNDY, and Attendants

GLOUCESTER:Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.

It is perhaps worth emphasizing that in the short time Gloucester has

been gone (fetching the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy)

Kent has been told of his banishment and Cordelia of her

disinheritance. The returning cohort could not possibly have predicted

such an outcome, especially since they know Cordelia and Kent to be

held dear by the King.

Lear now asks Burgundy what is the smallest share he would accept to

take Cordelia:

KING LEAR:My lord of Burgundy.

We first address toward you, who with this king 190

Hath rivalled for our daughter: what in the least

Will you require in present dower with her,Or cease your quest of love?

In the leastmeans is the least (i.e. what is the cheapest dower you would be willing to accept).

Presentmeans immediate.

BURGUNDY:Most royal majesty,

I crave no more than hath your highness offered,

Nor will you tender less.

Tender lessmeans offer less(might also be a pun on tenderless).

Burgundys answer here insists that the king offer no less than he had

promised. His pushy Nor will you tender less,sounds very similar to

Regans earlier selfish insistence on remuneration And prize me at

her worth.

Lears vanity has clouded his judgement. His excessive punishing of

Cordelia and Kent are really testimony to the fragility of his ego. Hisresponse to Burgundy degrades Cordelia in a very hurtful and cruel

way; this is a father publicly announcing that his daughter is worthless


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Act 1 Scene 1

to Burgundy directly he says (in effect) if you want her, you can have

her:KING LEAR:

Right noble Burgundy,

When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands;

If aught within that little-seeming substance,

Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced,

And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, 200

She's there, and she is yours.

Dearmeans loved, precious (but also a pun onexpensive once again love and material value

are interchangeable).

With our displeasure piecedmeans now combined with our displeasure (Lear appears to be

using sarcasm to tell Burgundy he will now get more for his money she comes now with ourhatred).

May fitly like your gracemeans may please your grace by its fitness.

BURGUNDY:I know no answer.

This response echoes Cordelias previous Nothing my Lord. And Lear

presses Burgundy to make up his mind:

KING LEAR:Will you, with those infirmities she owes,

Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,

Dowered with our curse and strangered with our oath,

Take her or leave her?

Owesmeans owns.

Strangered with our oathmeans estranged from me because I am sworn, made a stranger

from us by our oath (note: ourmeans my Lear is using the Royal plural).

Burgundy complains that it is difficult to make choices with terms such

as these (i.e. changed and reduced):

BURGUNDY:Pardon me, royal sir,

Election makes not up in such conditions.

KING LEAR:

Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me,I tell you all her wealth.

Tellmeans have told (another pun on material values tell can also meancount as in a bank

teller).


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Lear advises the King of France to place his love with someone else

worthier than Cordelia. He tells him that he would not wish to

estrange him by matching him with Cordelia:

To KING of FRANCE

For you, great king,

I would not from your love make such a stray

To match you where I hate;

For youmeans as for you.

Make such a straymeans stray so far.

Lear implores the King of France to look elsewhere for a wife for

someone worthier:

therefore beseech you 210

Tavert your liking a more worthier way

Than on a wretch whom Nature is ashamed

Almost tacknowledge hers.

Beseech youmeans I beseech you, I appeal to you, I ask you.

Tavertmeans turn (to avert).

Tacknowledgemeans to acknowledge, to claim, to admit.

Lear appears to be placing Cordelia, not just outside of his family, but

outside the whole human race. France then comments on the oddness

of Lears complete turnaround:

KING OF FRANCE:This is most strange,

That she, whom even but now was your best object,

The argument of your praise, balm of your age,

The best, the dearest, should in this trice of timeCommit a thing so monstrous to dismantleSo many folds of favour.

Your best objectmeans your favourite, the one you loved most.

Argumentmeans subject, theme, focus.

Tomeans to thus, so as to, to cause to.

Dismantle so many folds of favourmeans strip away the clothing of your favour (dismantle

means remove the outer mantle or layer) - an interesting image in a play full of disguise and

deceit.

France (who entered this scene only after Lears rage against Cordelia)

concludes that either Cordelia has done something so monstrous, as

to merit such wrath or else Lears earlier proclamations of love were

not pure or true.


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Act 1 Scene 1

Sure, her offence

Must be of such unnatural degree

That monsters it; or your fore-vouched affection 220

Fall into taint:

Monsters itmeans makes it monstrous.

Fore-vouchedmeanspreviously promised (i.e. vouched for before).

He adds that he cant imagine Cordelia behaving monstrously (the

inference being that Lears idea of love must be faulty or lacking in

some way). To imagine Cordelia behaving in such a poor way would

require a leap of faith and a miracle:

which to believe of her,

Must be a faith that reason without miracle

Should never plant in me.

Believe of hermeans believe that of her (i.e. believe that she could be monstrously offensive).

Cordelia wishes to confirm Frances conclusion that she hasnt done

anything monstrous or foul. What she lacks is the ability to lie and to

make false promises. She doesnt broadcast false pledges; she simply

acts instead of talking:

CORDELIA:I yet beseech your majesty --

If for I want that glib and oily art

To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend

I'll do't before I speak --

For I wantmeans I am lacking.

Purpose notmeans do nothing (to say the words, never intending to translate them into

actions).

She has done nothing awful, despite Lears comments that Nature is

ashamed of her (line 212).

that you make known

It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,

No unchaste action or dishonoured step

That hath deprived me of your grace and favour,

Dishonouredmeans dishonourable.


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She knows her fortunes are hurt by her lack of conniving and her

refusal to speak lies and flatter. Nevertheless she is glad to lack such

attributes even though it has cost her dearly:

But even for want of that for which I am richer; 230A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue

That I am glad I have not, though not to have it

Hath lost me in your liking.

Still solicitingmeans always begging, always selfishly looking for favours.

Lostmeans ruined, spoiled, trashed.

Lears responses by this time are appalling and petulant:

KING LEAR:Better thou

Hadst not been born than not thave pleased me better.

France responds by asking if this is really all about someone who

prefers to act rather than broadcast their intentions?

KING OF FRANCE:

Is it but this? A tardiness in natureWhich often leaves the history unspokeThat it intends to do?

A tardiness in naturemeans a demure nature, a reticent disposition.

He wants Cordelia but he has the good grace to allow Burgundy his say

first (after all Lear was inviting Burgundys opinion first):

My lord of Burgundy,

What say you to the lady? Love's not loveWhen it is mingled with regards that stands

Aloof from thentire point. Will you have her? 240

She is herself a dowry.

Regardsmeans considerations, concerns (in this case the dowry).

Stands aloof from thentire pointmeans are separate from the main thing (love).

Frances questions to Burgundy form bookends to the good advice he

gives in-between; namely that real love isnt compromised by other

issues. Although France was not present when Cordelia wouldnt join

in the pageant of flattery, he is echoing her values precisely. The line

She is herself a dowry,is perfectly apposite to the themes in Lear.

Burgundy was viewing the land offered as the main prize, whereas


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Act 1 Scene 1

France knows Cordeliaherself isthe real prize; Burgundy is interested

in what Cordelia represents but France is interested in Cordelia.

Burgundy appeals again to Lear to restore the initial deal, offering to

marry Cordelia as part of the bargain; but Lear is resolute:

BURGUNDY:Royal Lear,

Give but that portion which yourself proposed,

And here I take Cordelia by the hand,

Duchess of Burgundy.

That portionmeans the original dowry (i.e. the amount first offered).

KING LEAR:Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm.

Lears Nothingis a perfect counterpoint to Cordelias nothing

earlier. Lear is resolved that Nothing will come of Nothing.

Burgundy tells Cordelia that he is no longer interested:

BURGUNDY:(To Cordelia)I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father

That you must lose a husband.

Cordelia tells Burgundy that she has heard enough and that because

he is really after land and not herself, she would not wish to marry him

anyway:

CORDELIA:Peace be with Burgundy!

Since that respect and fortunes are his love,I shall not be his wife.

Since thatmeans because, since, if, as.

Respect and fortunesmeans mercenary interests, affection for material things.

Where Lear has rejected Cordelia unjustly; Cordelia has rejected

Burgundy justly.

The King of France recognises the true value of Cordelia and expresses

amazement that her true worth has not been acknowledged. He

wishes to claim her for his own:


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KING OF FRANCE:Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; 250

Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised.

Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon.Be it lawful I take up what's cast away.

He remarks how strange it is that even though she is being coldly

neglected, his warm love for her still grows:

Gods, gods! 'Tis strange that from their cold'st neglect

My love should kindle to inflamed respect.

Kindlemeans grow greater (as a fire from a spark).

He tells Lear that Cordelia is precious to him, despite others devaluing

her. Fate has thrown her his way and no offer could persuade him to

part with her:

Thy dowerless daughter, King, thrown to my chance,

Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France.

Not all the Dukes of waterish Burgundy

Can buy this unprized precious maid of me.

Thrownmeans cast, allotted (but also a pun on throne).To my chancemeans to me by fate.

Waterishcould mean having many rivers, but also carries the connotations ofwatered down,

weak, insipid, insubstantial, etc.Unprizedmeans undervalued, unappreciated, not prized.

He invites Cordelia to say her farewells and promises her a happier

future:

Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind:. 260

Thou losest here, a better where to find.

Heremeans in this place.

Wheremeans other place.

Once again a couplet has been used to summarize and conclude a

situation (lines 260-261).

Lear responds to Frances appraisal of Cordelia with a churlish rebuke.

His spiteful words are chilling and he will live to regret them:


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Act 1 Scene 1

KING LEAR:Thou hast her, France: let her be thine, for we

Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see

That face of hers again. Therefore be gone

Without our grace, our love, our benison.Come, noble Burgundy.

Benisonmeans blessing.

Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY,CORNWALL, ALBANY, GLOUCESTER and Attendants

KING OF FRANCE:Bid farewell to your sisters.

CORDELIA:The jewels of our father, with washed eyes

Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are;

Jewels of our fathermeans Goneril and Regan (who are treasured by Lear).Washed eyesmeans tearful eyes (but could also mean cleansed vision as of one who nowsees

clearly).

Cordelia is letting them know that she is not fooled by their show of

love she knows what they reallyare. And she is reluctant to call theirfaults by their true name (so distasteful are they). Again the theme of

representation and reality is to the fore.

And, like a sister, am most loath to call 270

Your faults as they are named.

Like a sistermeansjust like a sister.

Most loathmeans loathed, very reluctant.

As they are namedmeans what they really are.

She invites them to look after the king, knowing that she is having to

leave him in the care of their false love. If she were still in favour, she

would see to it that he was looked after in a better place:

Love well our father.

To your professd bosoms I commit him.But yet, alas, stood I within his grace,

I would prefer him to a better place.So, farewell to you both.

REGAN:Prescribe not us our duty.


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Professed bosomsmeans loudlyproclaimed warmth and love (from their big hearted words).

Commitmeans entrust (has connotations of someone relinquished to prison).Within his gracemeans in his favour.

Prefermeans recommend, suggest, advocate.

After Regan has just told Cordelia not to tell them what to do, Goneril

tells Cordelia to focus her attention on France suggesting that he has

charitably taken her. She adds callously that Cordelia has not been

dutiful and deserves her poor predicament:

GONERIL:Let your study

Be to content your lord, who hath received you

At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,And well are worth the want that you have wanted.

Studymeans concern, endeavour.

At fortunes almsmeans as an act of charity (as if Cordelia were a beggar who should be

grateful for whatever she gets).Obedience scantedmeansfailed to obey your father (scanted means stinted, as in

withholding, miserliness, ungiving).The want that you have wantedrefers to the lack of affection (from Lear) which Goneril

thinks matches Cordelias lack of affection (for Lear).

Cordelia tells her sisters that in time their deceits will be exposed and

they will be shamed. It is worth noting that (like Gonerils previous two

lines) Cordelia answers in another summarizing couplet:

CORDELIA:Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides: 280

Who covers faults, at last with shame derides.

Well may you prosper!

Unfoldmeans reveal, expose, open for all to see.Plightedmeanspleated, as in folds in a garment (here it refers to Goneril and Regans deceit

which is concealed).

Who covers faults, at last with shame deridescould refer to time itself,which may at first

conceal a fault only to expose it later (thus Time, who...); or it may refer to those who strive to

deceive, who will be exposed and shamed later on.

KING OF FRANCE:Come, my fair Cordelia.

Exeunt KING OF FRANCE and CORDELIA

Once Cordelia and France have gone, Goneril has a private

conversation with Regan concerning their father. She raises issues


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Act 1 Scene 1

Thank you-

for sampling Act 1, Scene 1of my 500 pageGuide to Shakespeares King Lear.

I hope you enjoyed it?

What Happens in Shakespeares King Lear

Is available from anybookstore (just give them theISBN 9781-291-635-072) or order online from

The Book Depository- http://www.bookdepository.com/What-

Happens-Shakespeares-King-Lear-Nick-Buchanan/9781291635072(free delivery worldwide)

(continued)...

Amazon U.K.- http://amzn.to/1mMC1zl

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I hope this helps - and thank you very much, I

appreciate your interest.

You might like the Facebook page

associated with the book (and all

things King Lear)

www.facebook.com/shakespeareskinglear- let me know

what you think.

Here are some of the Unique aspects of this book:

Theres a chapter on some key versions of the

play (On the Stage and On the Page)

Theres a chapter citing all the evidences for

Shakespeare actually being Shakespeare (Was

Shakespeare Shakespeare?)

When the pages are fanned there are markers for


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Act 1 Scene 1

easy navigation (by fanning the pages one can see

where Act 4, Scene 6 is, for example)

Theres a chapter explaining early versions (Folioand Quarto) etc.

Theres a chapter for actors and directorson

how to play Shakespeare.

There are charts which show the proportion of

prose to poetry, and the length of this play in

relation to all of Shakespeares others.

There is a 20 page flow chart in the back which

identifies each characters journey through the play

Act by Act and Scene by Scene so someone playing

Lear can see at a glance which scenes they are in andwhich they are not as well as what key things happen

for them when they are on stage.

Theres a short piece on two of the most famous

depictions of Shakespeare(The Chandos and the

Droeshout portraits)

The attractive book design will be echoed by a

follow up book on another very popular

Shakespeare play(which begins a series).

Difficult words are defined immediately next

to the text in which they occur (so no bouncing up and

down page to footnotes and noting line numbers or

worse thumbing to the back pages).


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The whole text is annotated and discussed as

a kind of walk-through guide.

Key themes are cross referenced and identified

using exact line numbers.

Shakespeares words are clearly identified

(being in grey boxes and indented) and my annotations

and definitions are left aligned.

I sincerely hope this book helps to illuminateShakespeares amazing text.

- Nick Buchanan

[email protected]

King Lear Text Book - Act 1 - Scene 1

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Transcript of King Lear Text Book - Act 1 - Scene 1