King Lear - William Shakespeare
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What is the opening proclamation of the play?
THE Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare Act one is Sene one A room of state in King Lear's Palace. Enter Kent, Gloucester and Edmund. Kent. I thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. Gloucester. It did always seem so to us, but now in the division 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. Is not this your son, my lord? His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am braced to a I cannot conceive you, Sir this young fellow's mother could, whereupon she grew round wound, and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed.
Do you smell a fault? I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account, though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whore son must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? No, my lord. My lord of Kent, remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. My services to your lordship. I must love you and Sue to know you better. Sir, I shall study deserving. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again The king is coming.
How does King Lear announce the division of his kingdom among his daughters?
Sound a Senate enter one bearing a coronet. Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerillo. Regan, Cordelia and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. I shall, my liege, said Exit Gloucester and Edmund. Meantime, we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know that we have divided in three our kingdoms. Conferring them on younger strengths, while we, unburdened, crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, and you are 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. 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.
Tell me my daughters. Since now we will divest us both of rule, interest of territory, cares of state, and Which of you shall we say doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend, where nature doth with merit challenge. Gonorille, our eldest born. Speak first.
Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter, dearer than eyesight, space and liberty, beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour, as much as child ere loved, or father found, a love that makes breath poor and speech unable. Beyond all manner of so much, I love you.
Cordelia.
What shall Cordelia speak? Love and be silent.
Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, with shadowy forests and with champanes riched, with plenteous rivers and wide skirted meads, we make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue be this perpetual What says our second daughter? Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall. Speak.
Sir, I am made of the self same metal that my sister is, and prize me at her worth. In my true art I find she names me very deed of love. Only she comes to short that I profess myself an enemy to all other joys which the most precious square of sense possesses. And find I am alone felicited. In your dear Highness's love.
Then poor Cordelia And yet not so Since I am sure my love's more richer than my tongue.
To thee and thine hereditary ever remained this ample third of our fair kingdom, no less in space, validity and pleasure than that conferred on Gonoril. Now our joy, although the last, not least, is To whose young love the vines of France and milk of Burgundy strive to be interested? What can you say to draw a third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
Nothing, my lord.
Nothing?
Nothing.
Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again, replied.
Unhappy that I am. I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty according to my bond.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the opening proclamation of the play?
0:00–2:07
2
How does King Lear announce the division of his kingdom among his daughters?
2:07–17:03
3
What does Cordelia say when she refuses to flatter her father?
17:03–37:38
4
How is Kent banished and what are the consequences for him?
37:38–1:45:14
5
What is the significance of the storm and the poor wretches at the start of this segment?
1:45:14–1:47:36
6
How does Edgar disguise himself as Poor Tom and what does his interaction reveal?
1:47:36–2:38:36
7
What key revelations about Gloucester, the king, and the unfolding battle plans emerge?
2:38:36–3:16:33
8
How does the final act resolve with the deaths of Cordelia and Lear?
3:16:33–3:19:08
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