I am a man more sinned against than sinning How accurate do you consider Lears assessment of himself to be in relation to act 1.

Regan-“Of the self-same metal that my sister (Goneril) is,
    And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
    I find she names my very deed of love;
    Only she comes too short”

Although both sisters seam united against Lear, they so do recognise the significance of two people to ruling one kingdom. Cordelias speech serves to show how fluctuant Regans and Gonerils speeches were.

 In a sense king Lear is a victim of his over indulgent personality thus reflecting Lears overzealous pride and deep fury which consumes his own judgement of reality.  

The reader can relate to Lears grandeur e.g the Sennet he enters with. The sensuously attractive language from prose to verse also shows the power that Lear holds, he was obviously a man full of accomplishments. This allows the reader to interpret the life of Lears of being great, thus to serve as a tragic downfall. On the other hand, arguably the king was dominated with materialistic possessions without these he would jus be an ‘old fool’.

A major factor in Shakespearian tragedy is the general portrayal of Lear; the characters of which admire him look upon the king from his own perspective, this serves to emphasise the tragic essence of the play. As a result the reader is compelled to see a man “more sinned against than sinning”.          

The self obsessed character of Lear, surprisingly is able to conjure great loyalty from within his personal ranks. For example Kent- “Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Loved as my father, as my master follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my prayers” Kent has become so loyal to Lear that despite banishment from the kingdom he still continues to look after the Kings internal affairs under a false façade. Nevertheless, through this Kent has become blind.

The break down of the dominant patriarchal society serves to emphasis the tragic plot. The reversal of natural order would have directly challenged Elizabethan society.

Both Goneril and Regan increasingly become directly challenging to Lears dominance they both become emasculated. Goneril- “The milky gentleness and course of yours” (referring to Albany)

 The power struggle between Goneril and Lear also critics the social ‘caste’ system.

From act 1, in my opinion Lear does not deserve much of our sympathy. He is ignorant to the true feelings and intentions of his own family. Afterall he bases his division of the kingdom on the deceitful words of the two sisters. The sins committed against him are the result of his own personal faults, his foolishness, rashness and blindness. His illogical decisions would seem to provoke others to committing sins against him.

Particularly within the first act Lear is vengeful, becoming obsessed with the ingratitude of his daughters and concept of personal justice. The quote “I am a man more sinned against than sinning” replicates this, but also shows Lears acknowledgement towards sinning. In a sense this tragically emphasises the narrative, although Lear partially admits sinning as he relates to his characteristic flaw which has jaded is own perception of reality.

However, are the sins committed by Lear greater than those committed against him?

In my opinion they balance each other. Although the two sisters show ingratitude, cruelty and harshness, it could be argued that these characteristic flaws are on par with Lears own.