KEY POINTS 6 Gloucester sets out to find food, leaving the king and his party in a farmhouse next to the castle. The Fool and Edgar take part in Lear’s mock trial of Regan and Goneril. Gloucester enters and reveals that he has learned of a plot to kill the king. The group prepares to […]

KEY POINTS 4 Although Kent directs Lear to a hovel for shelter, the king refuses to protect himself from the storm. The Fool runs from the hovel, exclaiming that a spirit has taken possession of the shelter. The spirit, who soon emerges, is Edgar disguised as Poor Tom, pitiful pauper. The king tears off his […]

KEY POINTS Gloucester tells Edmund that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall took away his home because he wanted to offer the king shelter from the storm out of pity. Gloucester makes a plan to help the king and is unaware that Edmund is a traitor and plans to report everything his father told him […]

KEY POINTS Lear’s mood matches the intensity of the wild storm. His rage against his daughters’ abusive treatment grows. The Fool attempts to reason with his king, noting that the shelter of a dry house, even one gained by losing face, is superior to a stay in the storm’s fury. But Lear will have no […]

KEY POINTS The setting is the heath in a raging storm. Conversing with a gentleman — a character conveniently placed to enlighten Kent and the audience — Kent learns that Lear and his Fool are out in the storm. Kent relates that Albany and Cornwall are pretending amicability. Kent also divulges that the king of […]

Lear and his followers arrive at Gloucester’s castle. Kent hails the king, who promptly asks who has placed his messenger in stocks. Lear refuses to believe that Regan and Cornwall would imprison and humiliate someone in the king’s employ. Regan and Cornwall decline speaking to the king, claiming fatigue from their journey. While Gloucester searches […]

KEY POINTS The scene opens on Edgar, alone in the woods. In his soliloquy, Edgar says that he is aware of his outlaw status. He has escaped capture by hiding in the “happy hollow of a tree” but he knows that to remain free, he must mask himself. Edgar plans to disguise himself as a […]

The setting is just outside Gloucester’s castle. Kent and Oswald arrive separately to deliver letters to Regan. Oswald does not immediately recognize Kent. The steward is confused when Kent denounces him and condemns his lack of integrity. When Oswald denies knowing him, Kent draws his sword and begins to beat the steward. Oswald’s cries for […]

KEY POINTS The setting is the Earl of Gloucester’s castle. As the scene opens, Curan, a courier, tells Edmund that Regan and Cornwall will be arriving that evening. Curan also mentions rumors of a feud between Cornwall and Albany. Edmund expresses excitement over Cornwall’s visit because he imagines that he can involve the duke in […]

KEY POINTS The setting for this brief scene is outside Goneril’s palace. Lear instructs Kent to go at once to Regan’s palace and deliver a letter. As Kent leaves, the Fool attempts to distract the king with silly remarks, but their content points ironically to Lear’s actions. The torment of the king is obvious as […]