King Lear ‘s palace, Britain. The Earl of Gloucester and the Earl of Kent discuss how Gloucester loves his two sons equally:
Edmund (the elder), gotten illegitimately; and Edgar (of questionable parentage), gotten before Gloucester married
Edgar’s mother. Although he loves both sons, Edgar is his heir. Their brief discussion frames the next, larger portion of
the scene. Upon his entrance, King Lear announces that he will divest himself of the burdens of rule by dividing his
kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. To measure which daughter deserves the bounteous
“dower,” he calls upon them to speak of their love for him. Goneril and Regan speak well and are rewarded equally.
Cordelia, believing the evidence of her love is greater than her words, speaks “nothing.” Lear disinherits Cordelia for her
untender feelings and divides the remaining third—as well as his power—between Albany and Cornwall, the husbands
of Goneril and Regan, respectively. When Kent tries to dissuade Lear from the rash decision, he is exiled from court. Even
though Cordelia is dowerless, France accepts her hand in marriage for her “unprized precious” virtue.