Act I, Scene III

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• Goneril learns from the young lord that has recently joined her service as her gentleman that her father struck him for chiding his Fool.

• As a result, Goneril is insensed with her father, and guarantees the gentleman that she will answer for him if he comes "slack of former services."

• She also instructs that if she is asked for by her father, that he is to be told that she is sick.

• As Lear is heard returning from his hunting trip, Goneril comments on his stupidity, attempting to exercise the authority that he's given away. She says that old fools must be treated like babies again.

• She states that if Lear doesn't like this treatment, he can go and stay with her sister, Regan, whom she knows will treat him the same way she proposes treating him.

• Goneril instructs her gentleman that he and his fellows should treat Lear's knights rudely, and breed occasions for her to speak. She determines to write to Regan to encourage her to treat their father in exactly the same way.

Next scene

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