The significance in the opening scene of Shakespeare's King Lear rests with two significant points. The first is that a central theme in the play will be reality versus appearance. In the first scene, Cordelia refuses to charm her father with flowery, empty words of love, but simply speaks the truth. However, her sisters do provide empty words of love and praise. This is what Lear wants to hear, but mistakenly believes the words are true. In doing so, he rejects Cordelia who truly loves him, banishing her from his life, and he accepts his other uncaring, deceitful daughters who will take what they can from him, and will not support him when he needs them most.
In addition, when Cordelia answers her father's question regarding her love with the word "nothing," Lear repeats the word "nothing" again. The idea of "nothing" foreshadows the "chaos" that will control the action...
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of the remainder of the play; Lear will lose everything because rather than hear the truth of those around him and see things as they truly are, he chooses to be blind to what his eyesshould see, and deaf to the words from those who care for him.
Ironically, where the King of France admires Cordelia's honesty, Lear in what Kent sees as madness, fails to notice the value of his daughter. By losing her, he loses all.
What is the significance of Act I, Scenes One and Two in King Lear?
Both scenes introduce essential plot elements to King Lear. The opening scene is especially important, as it sets up the entire play. King Lear gathers members of his court to divide his kingdom for his three daughters. They must earn his gift by declaring their devotion to him. Goneril says, “I love you more than words can wield the matter,” and Regan tries to surpass her: “I am alone felicitate / In your dear highness' love.” Both attest they love Lear more than anyone and anything. Thus, Lear gives them his power and land, not realizing this is mere flattery and he can no longer expect to be respected as king. Cordelia, on the other hand, simply states, “I love your majesty / According to my bond; no more nor less.” She truly cares for her father but disapproves of flattery. This enrages Lear, who calls her ungrateful and disowns her. Lear pays for this decision for the rest of the play.
The second scene begins the subplot. We met Gloucester and Edmund in the previous scene, but here Edmund explains his wicked intentions towards his half-brother and father. After pondering the injustices faced by illegitimate sons like himself, he famously states, “Now, gods, stand up for bastards!” He proceeds to trick Gloucester into believing Edgar plans to usurp him. He then tells Edgar to flee from the enraged Gloucester, pretending to be puzzled as to why Gloucester is enraged. Just as King Lear shows Lear’s difficulties with his daughters, it also follows Gloucester’s, Edmund’s, and Edgar’s fates.
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