Summary: Act 1, scene 3
Lear is spending the first portion of his retirement at
Goneril’s castle. Goneril complains to her steward, Oswald, that
Lear’s knights are becoming “riotous” and that Lear himself is an
obnoxious guest (1.3.6). Seeking to provoke
a confrontation, she orders her servants to behave rudely toward
Lear and his attendants.
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Act 1, scene 3 →
Summary: Act 1, scene 4
Disguised as a simple peasant, Kent appears in Goneril’s
castle, calling himself Caius. He puts himself in Lear’s way, and
after an exchange of words in which Caius emphasizes his plainspokenness and
honesty, Lear accepts him into service.
Lear’s servants and knights notice that Goneril’s servants
no longer obey their commands. When Lear asks Oswald where Goneril
is, Oswald rudely leaves the room without replying. Oswald soon
returns, but his disrespectful replies to Lear’s questions induce Lear
to strike him. Kent steps in to aid Lear and trips Oswald.
The Fool arrives and, in a series of puns and double entendres, tells
Lear that he has made a great mistake in handing over his power
to Goneril and Regan. After a long delay, Goneril herself arrives
to speak with Lear. She tells him that his servants and knights have
been so disorderly that he will have to send some of them away whether
he likes it or not.
Lear is shocked at Goneril’s treasonous betrayal. Nonetheless, Goneril
remains adamant in her demand that Lear send away half of his one
hundred knights. An enraged Lear repents ever handing his power
over to Goneril. He curses his daughter, calling on Nature to make
her childless. Surprised by his own tears, he calls for his horses.
He declares that he will stay with Regan, whom he believes will
be a true daughter and give him the respect that he deserves. When
Lear has gone, Goneril argues with her husband, Albany, who is upset
with the harsh way she has treated Lear. She says that she has written
a letter to her sister Regan, who is likewise determined not to
house Lear’s hundred knights.
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Act 1, scene 4 →
Summary: Act 1, scene 5
Lear sends Kent to deliver a message to Gloucester.
The Fool needles Lear further about his bad decisions, foreseeing
that Regan will treat Lear no better than Goneril did. Lear calls
on heaven to keep him from going mad. Lear and his attendants leave
for Regan’s castle.
