Page 14 - FEN1(2)C01 LITERATURES IN ENGLISH PAPER I: From Chaucer to the Present

1. The dramatic significance of the opening scene of King
Lear
The opening scene of King Lear is the best example for
Shakespeare’ dramatic skill. He introduces almost all the
important characters except Edgar on the stage. Secondly, he
introduces the main plot and the subplot in the opening scene
itself. The opening scene strikes the keynote of the play which
is the foolish and impetuous nature of King Lear which bring
to him battalions of misfortunes. The main plot is the foolish
impetuous decision of King Lear to divide his kingdom among
his three daughters according to the degree of their love for
him. Naturally the two elder daughters competed each other
using ornamental words and phrases to win the maximum
share, because they know well that their father is very fond of
flattery. On the other hand, Cordelia is sincere and full of love
for her father. But she is as obstinate and self-willed as her
father and earned his wrath. She gains nothing. The foolish
king even banishes his loyal and honest courtier the Earl of
Kent for speaking reason. The King of France notices the real
worth and innate goodness of Cordelia and so he says,” most
rich, being poor, most choice, forsaken; and most loved,
despised! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon”. Cordelia
becomes his wife. The sub plot is concerned with Gloucester
and his sons, Edgar and Edmund. Edmund is Gloucester’s
bastard son, while Edgar is the legitimate one. The former is
a villain and the latter is full of love, loyalty and valour. He is
parallel to Cordelia, while Edmund is to Goneril and Regan.