Summary: Act 1, scene 1
Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth.
(See Important Quotations Explained)
The play begins with two noblemen, Gloucester and Kent,
discussing the fact that King Lear is about to divide his kingdom.
Their conversation quickly changes, however, when Kent asks Gloucester
to introduce his son. Gloucester introduces Edmund, explaining that Edmund
is a bastard being raised away from home, but that he nevertheless
loves his son dearly.
Lear, the ruler of Britain, enters his throne room 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
say which of them loves him the most, promising to give the greatest share
to that daughter.
Lear’s scheming older daughters, Goneril and Regan, respond
to his test with flattery, telling him in wildly overblown terms
that they love him more than anything else. But Cordelia, Lear’s
youngest (and favorite) daughter, refuses to speak. When pressed,
she says that she cannot “heave her heart into her mouth,” that
she loves him exactly as much as a daughter should love her father,
and that her sisters wouldn’t have husbands if they loved their
father as much as they say (1.1.90–91). 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 king’s actions.
Kent tells Lear he is insane to reward the flattery of his older daughters
and disown Cordelia, who loves him more than her sisters do. Lear
turns his anger on Kent, banishing him from the kingdom and telling
him that he must be gone within six days.
The king of France and duke of Burgundy are at Lear’s
court, awaiting his decision as to which of them will marry Cordelia.
Lear calls them in and tells them that Cordelia no longer has any
title or land. Burgundy withdraws his offer of marriage, but France
is impressed by Cordelia’s honesty and decides to make her his queen. Lear
sends her away without his blessing.
Goneril and Regan scheme together in secrecy.
Although they recognize that they now have complete power over the
kingdom, they agree that they must act to reduce their father’s
remaining authority.
