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KING LEARACT 1
The first act in King Lear is particularly significant in the play as it introduces the central characters, relationships and themes explored. Specifically, in Act 1, we are introduced to King Lear and his family, the Gloucester parallel plot, and themes of nature, appearance versus reality, love and power.
The opening scene is very important for establishing Lear's character and relationship with his daughters. In the very beginning, we find out from Kent and Gloucester's conversation that Lear has already divided the kingdom, and yet he continues to hold the 'love contest' between his three daughters. His actions portray Lear's materialistic values, great pride and love of flattery. Lear's foolishness is revealed when he accepts Gonerill and Regan's exaggerated declarations of love, yet rejects his youngest daughter's speech "I love your majesty according to my bond, no more nor less". By refusing to participate in the game, and instead speaking from the heart, Cordelia deeply hurts her father, and is banished. The king's judgement is clouded by his pride, and by banishing Cordelia; he shows his rash and impetuous nature. He also banishes Kent, his trustworthy friend, for attempting to help the king see clearly. Lear is blinded to the truth, that Cordelia's love, unlike her greedy sisters', is what it should be modest and genuine. Lear gives equal portions of his kingdom to the two eldest daughters and decides to take turns living with them. Lear's foolishness is seen here again; he expects to keep the status and luxuries of being king even after he has given away his kingdom. Lear is treated appallingly by his selfish daughter Gonerill and curses her for her treatment of him "Into her womb convey sterility, / Dry up in her the organs of increase." Lear, with the help of the wise Fool, comes to the realisation that giving away his power was foolish, and banishing Cordelia was even worse. The Fool holds up a mirror to Lear, allowing him to see the consequences of his actions. It is towards the end of the act that Lear admits, "I did her wrong". Lear is now full of hurt and regret and pleads to the gods "O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!" This line is a foreshadowing of what is to come of Lear.
The first act establishes Lear as a vulnerable and confused man who has suffered a great loss of power, and doesn't know his own children. It also hints at the possibility of the king losing his sanity in the future.
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The Gloucester parallel plot revolves around Gloucester, his legitimate son Edgar, and his illegitimate son Edmond. The first act introduces us to this family and develops the plot, so we can see how it relates to the Lear plot, and its importance in the play. In the first scene we are introduced to Gloucester's crude and inappropriate behaviour, as he talks about the 'making' of Edmond in front of Edmond himself, and Kent. Here, Edmond's true nature is hidden, as he speaks in a polite manner, despite the jokes being made about his conception. Scene , however, reveals Edmond's true intentions of planning to replace his brother Edgar as heir. His soliloquy at the beginning of this scene uncovers his deceptive and manipulative nature. He fakes a letter from Edgar in which he writes about his brother plotting to kill their father. Gloucester sees this letter and reacts rashly "O villain, villain… Abhorred villain, unnatural, detested, brutish villain…" Gloucester's reaction parallels that of Lear when he banishes Cordelia. Both men are impatient, impetuous and ignorant. They are blinded to their children's true intentions. Edmond's façade parallels that of Gonerill and Regan, when they speak in hyperbole about their everlasting love for Lear. Edgar, innocent and true, represents Cordelia.
This plot is very important in the play as it reinforces the meaning being conveyed by the Lear plot, therefore emphasizing and making more clear the messages of the play. The introduction of this plot in the first act helps the responder to see this.
There are several themes running through the play King Lear, and the first act introduces many of these. The themes are important instruments for contemporary responders to understand the time and society of the play, so that they might receive the messages Shakespeare weaves through this text, more easily.Nature is an important theme that is established in Act 1. It reflects upon the religion of the time of King Lear pre-Christian paganism, and also the Elizabethan view of the world the importance of natural order. Lear calls to the heavens and natural elements when cursing Gonerill and begging to remain sane. We can see the natural order of power being broken by Lear when he divides up his kingdom. This leads to the constant theme in this play of appearance versus reality, which relates to nature and the idea of what is natural. Lear is blind to reality and is taken up with appearances when he is tricked into believing that Gonerill and Regan love him dearly, when really it is Cordelia who does. Lear cannot distinguish between appearance and reality, whilst Cordelia, who is seen as patient, true and loving, sees right through her sisters.
The important question of what is natural and what is not is brought up by Edmond's actions in the first act. The reader is faced with the task of deciding whether Edmond's decision to replace Edgar, as heir is a natural reaction to being constantly labeled as a bastard by society, or an unnatural and evil plan. In this act, we learn that this theme will be an important one for the entire play. Love and its nature are also explored in Act 1. The love and lack of love can be seen in Lear and Gloucester's families. From the first act, we learn that love can be complex and deceitful, or on the other hand, simple and true. This act also conveys the complexity of family relationships. Lear does not understand the love of his children, nor does Gloucester. In reality, it is this misunderstanding that brings about Lear's loss of power. By giving away his kingdom, Lear disturbs the natural order of fathers ruling over their daughters, and is left with nothing. Gonerill, Regan and Edmond's new power causes unnatural events to occur. This act conveys the consequences of a loss of power disruption of harmony in families and in society.
King Lear's Act 1 is crucial for the text as a whole. Introducing the play's main characters, relationships and themes, gives the responder knowledge for the entire play. An understanding of the language, concerns and society of King Lear's time will thus develop and result in a deeper understanding of the text and the motivations behind its composition.
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