Megan Walters, Grace Davis, Justin Benson, Bryan Schneider

Modern Day King Lear

Introduction:

Grace: We will be presenting Act 1, Scene 1 of King Lear. This Shakespeare play was written in the early 1600’s, making the language somewhat difficult to comprehend. In order to make the scene more understandable and relatable to modern times, we have translated the scene into present-day english line-by-line.

Bryan: Why we chose this scene, the importance of Act 1, scene 1

Lays groundwork for the play

The love test at the beginning sets the tone for the play, a play that is filled with conspiracy, double-talk and the contradictions of love and anger

Lear’s demand for his daughters to express their love for him highlights his insecurity and growing concern for his own selfish importance.

Contrast of real love (Cordelia) with fake love (Regan and Goneril)

Foreshadowing

               Lear’s ultimate madness that ruins his own kingdom
               Regan and Goneril’s betrayal of their father
               Regan and Goneril’s betrayal of each other
               Kent’s continued loyalty
               Cordelia’s real love for her father despite his insanity

Instigates conflict

               Between Cordelia and Lear
               Between sisters and Cordelia
               Lear and Kent

Background for the play/setting

Justin: The scene we will be performing is the first scene of the play, in which King Lear decides how he will divide his kingdom amongst his daughters, based on how well they can profess their love for him. We also cut out a few characters because we do not have enough people for the full cast. However, we will be playing as many parts as we can. As you can see, (show sign) we will be doubling up on characters and have these sign to indicate which character we are playing at that part. And without further ado, I present Act 1 Scene 1 of King Lear.

Act 1 Scene 1:
Lear:  Send in France, and Burgandy!  (Pause) Here’s the deal, I’m getting old and I can’t worry about the affairs of the family anymore.  It’s time to pass that burden to you three and your husbands.  Whoever can persuade me that they love me the most will get the biggest share of my wealth.  Goneril, speak first!
Goneril: Daddy, I love you so much! You’re like so strong and handsome!  Oh my gosh I’ve never seen anyone so powerful!  You are like way cool.  I love you like I don’t even know! Way more than these two could love you.
Cordelia: Wow, what the crap am I supposed to say?
Lear:  Wow, you praise me so beautifully! To you I give this entire large northern portion, and all the family wealth that goes with it.  Regan, what do you have to say?
Regan:  I feel the same way that Goneril does, but with so much more emotion and vigor.  All that matters to me is your love! Nothing else could ever be important if I have that!  Only your love could ever satisfy me!
Cordelia: You have got to be kidding me.
Lear: So well spoken!  You may have this eastern portion! Near in worth to what I gave your sister.  My darling, Cordelia, it is your turn.
Cordelia: I have nothing to say.
Lear: Excuse me?!
Cordelia: I have nothing to say.
Lear: Well if you say nothing you get nothing, so speak!
Cordelia: I couldn’t possibly put my feelings into words.  I love you the way a daughter should love her father.
Lear: And? Is that all?
Cordelia:  You raised me and cared for me, and I have paid you back with loyalty and obedience, I don’t understand what else you want from me.  My sisters cannot mean all that they say.  They have husbands.  How can you be the only person they love? Me I have no one, besides you, and I intend to marry no one, so I love you.
Lear: Do you really mean this?  So young and so cruel!
Cordelia:  Well at least I’m being honest with you.
Lear: You don’t want to marry? Well I can make that a reality! How dare you be so disrespectful! Who would want to marry you after I take away everything you’re worth! I’m not giving you anything!  You’re no longer my daughter! I disown you! You are nothing but a stranger to me for the rest of your life!  Good luck trying to make it on your own!
Kent: Uh, sir?
Lear:  Shut up Kent! Don’t dare interrupt me! Interfere and you too will feel my anger.  My favorite daughter! I planned to give her a generous share of our wealth! But now she will receive none! She can marry her own pride! Where are France and Burgandy?! I said send them in! See this portion that was supposed to be yours Cordelia? I’ll split it between your sisters and their husbands!  I hope you two will enjoy it, because you obviously love me more than your sister!
Kent:  Look sir, I’ve worked for you for a long time and you know I respect you but…
Lear:  I said stay out of this Kent!
Kent:  Woah. Go ahead shoot me, but I’m going to say what I plan to.  You’re acting crazy sir!  Cordelia doesn’t love you the least she just respects you too much to feed you a load of BS!  Don’t punish her for refusing to flatter you with empty words.
Lear:  Kent, I’m warning you no more.
Kent:  I don’t care whether I live or die as long as I know I’m doing what’s best for you.
Lear: Get out now!
Kent:  Lear, I’ve served you faithfully for many years.  Let me stay.
Lear: (Readies Weapon)
Kent:  Listen to me sir, or you’re digging your own grave!
Lear:  I thought you were loyal to me, but now I know that’s not the case!  Know your place, how dare you interfere!  Get out of my sight! I don’t want to see your face again! And know, if you do come back I’ll kill you myself!
Kent:  Fine sir, I’ve said what I had to say.  At least I’ll be able to speak my mind elsewhere without having to worry about getting shot. Dear Cordelia, I pray that God protects you.  I wish you the best.  I hope I was wrong about you two, you better live up to your words! (Exits)
(Enter France and Burgandy)
Lear:  Oh look, Cordelia!  Here come your two suitors, let’s see how much they like you now that you’re broke.  Burgandy, you first!  How much would it cost for you to marry Cordelia.
Burgandy:  I thought we’d already discussed my price?  That’s what I expect.  No less.
Lear:  We did discuss it, but that was before.  Now she means nothing to me, and she’ll come with nothing.  Take her if you want her.
Burgandy: Uhh…
Lear:  What do you say Burgandy?  Do you still want her?
Burgandy:  I don’t really know what to say.
Lear:  I’ll take that as a no.  How about you France?  Do you want to marry this girl who’s worth nothing?  You could do so much better, in fact you deserve better.  If I were you, there’s no way I would choose to marry this brat.
France:  I really don’t understand what’s going on.  I thought she was your favorite daughter?  What could she have possibly done t make you hate her so much?
Cordelia:  Why are you acting this way father and saying such terrible things?  All I did was refuse to flatter you.  Why do you hate me?
Lear:  I wish you had never been born!
France:  Are you really taking back your proposal Burgandy? Love doesn’t mean anything if it only comes with money.  Cordelia herself is worth it!
Burgandy:  Do you really mean to give her no dowry Lear?  I’ll take her if I get what I was promised.
Lear:  I already said she gets nothing!
Burgandy:  I’m sorry, but I need the money.  I won’t take you without it. (Exit)
Cordelia:  Good riddance then! I hope you and your money are very happy!
France:  Cordelia, I think you’re worth it despite your lack of wealth!  I would love to have you as my bride!  Burgandy may not be able to afford you, but I certainly can! I’d be happy to marry you, if you’ll have me.
Lear:  Fine, take her! But you’ll never have my blessing! (Exit)
France: Come on Cordelia, let’s go.
Cordelia:  I’m your sister, I can see right through the two of you.  I hope you’re happy with all your lies and flattery.  Make sure you hold up to them and take care of dad.
Regan:  Don’t tell us what to do!
Goneril:  You just need to get your priorities straight, hunny.
France:  Let’s go, Cordelia. (Cordelia and France Exit)
Goneril:  You know I think we should talk about how this affects both of us.
Regan:  Ya, we really do.
Goneril:  Do you see how crazy dad’s going in his old age?  He loved Cordelia way more than either of us and dumped her just like that!  Let’s take advantage of him being so irrational.  We have a lot of insane years ahead of us.
Regan:  Tell me about it! Kent gone?  He’s been loyal to dad for so long!
Goneril:  We need to make sure we work together and protect each other.
Regan: Agreed! (high five- Exit)