Inciting indecent: Splitting (King Lear) his kingdom into three and stepping down from the role of king (but wanting to keep his title. And then getting angry at his daughter Cordelia for not confiding to his methods then banishing her.

“Nothing will come of nothing”- King Lear

Old King Lear has decided to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. They are required to come forward and flatter him. His two eldest daughters, Regan and Goneril, flatter and deceive the old king, and receive their rewards. The youngest, Cordelia, who loves him most, cannot find the words to articulate this love. He asks her to speak up and praise him more than her sisters have just done. When asked ‘what do you have to say?’ Cordelia responds “Nothing.” He repeats this answer as a question. She responds the same. Lear is outraged and tells her that “nothing will come of nothing,” and banishes her without money, title, or any part of his kingdom.

King Lear: Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.

Cordelia: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty. According to my bond, no more nor less. (I’m unlucky. I don’t have a talent for putting my heart’s feelings into words. I love you as a child should love her father, neither more nor less)

Exposed to Lear’s hubris: Asking his daughters (commanding) to tell him how much they love him (and then splitting the kingdom as such). You should never have to tell/express to someone how much you love them (and it should never be a competition) it should just be made obvious through action

SUMMARY:

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.

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.

QUOTES:

“Come not between the dragon and its wrath”- King Lear

Through the play animal symbolism is used. Lear quite often refers to himself as a dragon. By using the ‘Dragon’ metaphor, King Lear paints himself as the possessor of an ageless, peerless wisdom, parallelled only by his ferocity. He all but dares those around him to challenge his power, so that he may display it in all of its terrible glory. The ceaseless temptation of pride that comes along with that degree of authority has the tendency to develop the sort of egos that can make dragons of both men and women. In mythology, dragons are known to live in caves, often devoid of any natural light. During the opening act, King Lear is blinded by a brilliant display of wisdom and truth from his daughter, Cordelia. By refusing to tell King Lear what he desired to hear, she sent him into a fit of rage that would lead to dire consequences for him, and all of those around him. After sitting in judgment over his own daughter, King Lear takes his revenge by banishing Cordelia from his kingdom forever. The use of the dragon metaphor provides evidence of Lear’s madness and inability to control his emotions.

“How sharper than a serpents tooth is it to have a thankless child”- King Lear.

The quote refers to the pain of not being appreciated by one’s child. King Lear has cut a deal with the two more flattering of his three daughters: he will turn power over to them as long as he can keep the name and respect due to a king, and so long as they alternately host him and his train of a hundred knights. Once they’ve got the power, of course, Regan and Goneril renege on their part of the bargain.

“Thou should not have be old till thou hardest been wise”-The Fool

The Fool (who is meant to be a humorous and light hearted character that brings joy to the kings life) is starting to comment on the trueness of the situation. Stating plain facts to look after the king, trying to make him conscious of his mistakes.

“The bow is bent and drawn make from the shaft”- King lear

I’m furious and ready to snap. Stay away or else I’ll take my anger out on you. The mistake has been made, its down hill from here. Thus, meaning that Lear’s decision to banish Cordelia is final and Kent should leave it be or else he, too, may have to suffer consequences.