The king is coming (1.1.24-31)

EDMUND

No, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

EDMUND

My services to your lordship.

KENT

I must love you, and sue to know you better.

EDMUND

Sir, I shall study deserving.

GLOUCESTER

He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The king is coming.

Edmund replies to Gloucester with notable formality, something which directly aligns him with Goneril and Regan - who flatter their father with such exaggerated formality, that they immediately seem dishonest. In this comparison, Edmund is shown to also be dishonest, and the later relationship between him and the sisters is foreshadowed. Gloucester proceeds to introduce the two men, remarking that Kent is his “honourable friend”, something which shows beyond reasonable doubt that Kent is a good person with honour. Edmund greets Kent and Kent returns the favour. The modal verb “must” implies that Kent feels a certain duty to love his fellow lord’s son. The verb “sue” - meaning plead, makes Kent appear courteous. Edmund responds by flattering himself: he is deserving of Kent’s recognition, at least in his humble opinion. Edmund has a high opinion of himself despite the way he is treated by society. We discover next that Edmund has been away for 9 years. By creating this physical divide between Gloucester and Edmund, a metaphorical one is also created: one showing the mental divide between them. Lastly we hear “The king is coming”, a statement which moves the focus from the subplot to the main one and braces the audience for King Lear’s entrance.