King Lear, Act 1, Scene 1 summary
Act 1, Scene 1 of 26 · 12 min to read the scene
In Act 1, Scene 1, Lear distributes his kingdom according to his daughters’ declarations of love, rejects Cordelia’s plain answer, and banishes Kent for challenging him. France accepts Cordelia without a dowry, while Goneril and Regan privately question their father’s judgment and agree that they need to act together.
What happens
- Gloucester introduces Edmund to Kent and explains that Edmund is his son born outside marriage.
- Lear announces his retirement from rule and awards land to Goneril and Regan after their extravagant declarations of love.
- Cordelia refuses to exaggerate her love, so Lear disowns her and transfers her share to her sisters.
- Kent challenges Lear’s judgment, and Lear orders him into exile under threat of death.
- Burgundy refuses Cordelia without her promised dowry, but France accepts her as his queen.
- After Cordelia leaves, Goneril and Regan discuss Lear’s rashness and the need for joint action.
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In this scene
What to notice
Kent treats honest opposition as a duty of loyalty. Lear instead treats that opposition as a challenge to his authority and banishes him.
Quick check
Why does Burgundy withdraw his offer to marry Cordelia?
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