King Lear

In this act, the relatively brief and fast-paced scenes move between different locations and characters. This, combined with the evocation of the storm, creates a sense of chaos that mirrors the breakdown of Lear’s reason and kingdom.

Kent learns that Lear is on the heath in the storm with the Fool. He reveals that the French have spies in the courts of Cornwall and Albany, between whom dissension is growing. Kent gives the Gentleman a ring to show to Cordelia as confirmation of his true identity.

ACT 3 SCENE 2

Lear’s disordered speech reflects his mental state as he invokes nature to destroy mankind and “Strike flat the thick rotundity o’th’world.” In his chaotic speeches there are recurrent references to children, ingratitude, and justice as he blames his daughters for his situation. The Fool encourages Lear to shelter, commenting that the “night pities neither wise men nor fools,” drawing attention to the blurred distinctions between wisdom and folly, sanity and insanity. Lear rages about justice, still denying any responsibility and asserting that he is “a man / More sinned against than sinning.” Kent persuades him to take shelter in a nearby hovel while he begs Goneril and Regan for shelter. Alone, the Fool speaks a rhymed “prophecy” that perhaps transcends the context of the play, warning against the injustices and corruption of “Albion” (Britain).

ACT 3 SCENE 3

Gloucester has been refused permission to help Lear and has lost control of his castle. He reveals that Edmund has a letter concerning Cornwall and Albany locked in his closet, and that he intends to help Lear. He asks Edmund to tell Cornwall that he is ill, to prevent his assistance of Lear being discovered. Once alone, Edmund reveals his intention to betray Gloucester.

ACT 3 SCENE 4

Lines 1–103: Kent tries to persuade Lear to enter the hovel out of the storm, but Lear is more concerned with the “tempest” in his mind and remains outside, dwelling on “Poor naked wretches” who, “houseless” and “unfed,” have no defense against the elements. In a moment of brief self-awareness he declares: “O, I have ta’en / Too little care of this!” The Fool is frightened out of the hovel by Edgar, in disguise as the near-naked “Poor Tom.” In a pitiful and ironic contrast to the genuine insanity of Lear, “Tom” feigns madness through fragmented speech. Like the Fool’s nonsense, however, there are recognizable themes, pertinent to the play, such as lust, devilishness, and nakedness. Lear continues to dwell on his troubles, insisting that “Nothing” but “unkind daughters” could have “subdued nature / To such a lowness” in Tom. Asking “Is man no more than this?,” Lear removes his clothes, approaching the raw condition of “the thing itself: unaccommodated man.”

Lines 104–178: In a confused conversation that evokes the external storm and the “tempest” inside Lear’s head, Gloucester and Kent attempt to persuade Lear to enter Gloucester’s castle. Tom interjects with “insane” comments that focus on demons and witchcraft, but are taken by Lear to be the words of a “philosopher” and “learnèd Theban.” Ironically, Gloucester talks of Edgar and “poor banished” Kent.

ACT 3 SCENE 5

Edmund has betrayed Gloucester. Cornwall swears that he will have revenge and rewards Edmund by giving him his father’s title. Edmund pretends to be distressed at having to betray Gloucester, but plans to make it worse by discovering him “comforting the king.”

ACT 3 SCENE 6

Gloucester shows Kent, Lear, Tom, and the Fool into a farmhouse adjoining his castle. The dialogue is fragmented as Lear continues to focus on injustice, the Fool continues to produce sense in nonsense, and Edgar acts his part as madman. Kent’s voice of reason is unable to prevail. In a Quarto-only sequence, Lear insists on holding a “trial” of Goneril and Regan, seeing them before him in his madness. With Tom and the Fool as judges, this episode highlights the distorted nature of justice so far in the play. Edgar’s pity for Lear makes it hard to sustain his “counterfeiting,” and after Gloucester leads the others away, he rejects his disguise.

ACT 3 SCENE 7