King Lear Act 1, Scene 2 through Act 1, Scene 5

Read Edmund’s soliloquy from the beginning of Act 1.2. Consider these questions: What is the major conflict? What is Edmund’s complex response to this conflict? How does he use literary elements to convey this complex response?

EDMUND

Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law
My services are bound. Wherefore should I
Stand in the plague of custom, and permit
The curiosity of nations to deprive me,
5 For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines
Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?
When my dimensions are as well compact,
My mind as generous, and my shape as true,
As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us
10 With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?
Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take
More composition and fierce quality
Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,
Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops,
15 Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well, then,
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land:
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund
As to the legitimate: fine word,--legitimate!
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,
20 And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper:
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!

As you watch, answer these questions.

Act 1, scene 2

  1. What does Edmund make Gloucester think about Edgar? Why does he feel the need to do this? According to Edmund, why does Edgar think her should have his inheritance before his father’s death?
  1. How does Gloucester’s description of the weather connect to the TopsyTurvy World motif?
  1. Of what does Edmund convince Edgar? How could this lead to problems? What seem to be Edmund’s intentions?

Act 1, scene 3

  1. What are Goneril’s complaints about her father? Are they completely unfounded?

Act 1, scene 4

  1. What are the disguised Kent’s intentions? What does he note about Lear’s actions?
  1. The Knight tells us he doesn’t think Lear is being treated as he should be. How does he think he should be treated?
  1. Oswald calls Lear ______, not ______.
  1. What is the main message of Lear’s Fool? What does he say about Lear’s actions and “disorder” or “unnatural-ness”?
  1. Why is Goneril upset with Lear and his knights? What is the irony? What emotions does she express?
  1. What curse does he place on Goneril?
  1. Why has Goneril written to Regan?
  1. What division is starting to arise between Albany and Goneril?

Act 1, scene 5

  1. What does the Fool warn him about Regan?
  1. How do you know Lear regrets his decisions and actions?
  1. What is Lear’s greatest fear?