Therefore any act against the king was an act against God. Lear, therefore, introduced disorder into his kingdom when he went against the divine order. That is, if a king is God’s agent, then it is God who should decide when his reign should end. According to John Seely, “….such an act of handing down the throne was not in the king’s power, as that would go against divine order.”
Lear’s actions also reflect the theme of kingship and authority, and also the theme of responsibility. Shakespeare allows the reader to question Lear’s identity as king in the very first scene as he confuses his parental and royal roles. The king expects flattery from his daughters in order for them to get a share of the kingdom. It is therefore quite obvious that Lear’s sense of reason, which should be befitting a king, overshadowed by vanity and arrogance. The consequences of his actions will not only result in his “mental and physical decay” but also in cosmic disorders. Therefore, Lear is not initially viewed as a man of authority but as a fool. The impression one also gets from scene one is that Lear is abdicating his responsibility by dividing his kingdom, and herein lays the confusion- Lear wants to retain his “kingly title” without having the responsibilities of a king.
The scene also introduces the conflicts of the main plot and sub-plot within the play. Shakespeare hints at the rising tension between the characters n both plots at the beginning of the play. One is able to decipher the rising conflict between Lear and his daughters and between Edgar and Edmund. Lear’s tragic flaws allow him to be lured into a false sense of security by Goneril and Regan’s flattery and also to drive a rift between himself and Cordelia.
It is very important to note that both of Cordelia’s suitors are French- England’s old enemy. “The symbolism is that the suitors are Roman Catholic as opposed to Protestant England”- Bookwolf.com. The inference is that Lear is providing a recipe for political, religious and social disaster. This will of course, result in the weakening of the country.
Other themes and symbols are highlighted in scene one. For example, King Lear symbolises power and his division of the main plot, not only Lear but his daughters- Goneril and Regan, have a personal interest in the transfer of power. The spectre of evil is evident towards the end of the scene, and Goneril and Regan’s dialogue provides an ominous tone for the king. This, does in fact, causes the reader to confirm his opinion about Lear’s stupidity. The two older daughters display their lack of respect for their father and with the absence of Cordelia and Kent; their quest to gain power will be easier.
In the sub-plot, it is Edmund who is on a quest for power and his brother, Edgar, poses the greatest threat in preventing him from attaining it. In the brother’s relationship, Shakespeare places reason and love at opposite ends. Therefore Edmund’s reason overshadows his love for his brother and it is his ‘sense of reason’ or lack of it that will later on lead to his folly.
The theme of honesty is also evident. This theme is reflected in the personalities of Kent and Cordelia. Kent is the epitome of loyalty and duty and it is ironic that his honesty resulted in his banishment from the kingdom. This act on Lear’s part reflects the fact that his emotions influence his decisions and this fact reiterates Lear’s stupidity. It is this very same quality that resulted in Lear disowning Cordelia. According to Bookwolf.com, the play is a direct product of Cornelia’s proud integrity, and this helps compound Lear’s folly. However, she will pay the price for this attitude.
Shakespeare’s ability to cleverly introduce characters and to reveal impending conflicts and details that will ‘fuel’ the plot is remarkable. Therefore act one scene one is very important to the continuation of the play as it sets the pace for future events that will enable the plot to unfold. This therefore speaks to the writer’s craft. However there are certain gaps in the scene. Are society’s laws to be blamed for Edmund’s behaviour? Did Cordelia handle the situation in the most suitable manner? Was there more that she could have done to convince Lear of her love?
All these subtle questions were left unanswered in scene one, and this calls for an appreciation of the scene because the air of suspense created in it spurs the reader on in an attempt to find answers for the unanswered questions.
