Changes

Apparently having gone completely mad, Lear has gone into the open countryside to rage against the storm, accompanied only by his faithful Fool. The Earl of Kent has heard the rumors of division between Albany and Cornwall, and has also heard that the King of France is aware of the intrigues and is planning a massive invasion to capitalize on the disorder. Meanwhile, in Gloster's castle, the Earl tells Edmund of his displeasure at the intrigues against the king. Having also heard the false rumor of division between the dukes, Gloster tells his son about a letter locked in his closet which expresses his intention to side with Lear against his daughters.

Apparently having gone completely mad, Lear has gone into the open countryside to rage against the storm, accompanied only by his faithful Fool. The Earl of Kent has heard the rumors of division between Albany and Cornwall, and has also heard that the King of France is aware of the intrigues and is planning a massive invasion to capitalize on the disorder. Meanwhile, in Gloster's castle, the Earl tells Edmund of his displeasure at the intrigues against the king. Having also heard the false rumor of division between the dukes, Gloster tells his son about a letter locked in his closet which expresses his intention to side with Lear against his daughters.

Lear continues to shout down the elements, while the Fool tries to convince him to return to shelter. Kent arrives and leads them to a hovel, which turns out to be inhabited by the well-disguised Edgar.  

Lear continues to shout down the elements, while the Fool tries to convince him to return to shelter. Kent arrives and leads them to a hovel, which turns out to be inhabited by the well-disguised Edgar, pretending to be crazy. Gloster finds them, and not recognizing Edgar, tells Lear that Goneril and Regan are forbidding him from opening his castle to Lear's company. Lear takes an interest in the mad young man, and asks him to preside as judge in a mock trial. They grab a few cats, and cross-examine them as if they were Goneril and Regan. Lear soon passes out, and is carried away by Kent and the Fool to Dover, where they are to seek out Cordelia and the King of France.

 

Back in Gloster's castle, Edmund betrays his father, giving his letter to Cornwall. Gloster is sent for, and brought in to be viciously interrogated by Regan and Cornwall. After sending away Edmund, they gouge out Gloster's eyes, and their cruelty offends one of the servants to the point where he draws his sword and strikes down Cornwall dead. Regan takes a sword and kills the servant. Gloster is ejected from the castle, and two more servants, moved by sadness, follow behind him to comfort him and escort him to Dover.

[[Category:Plays of Shakespeare]]

[[Category:Plays of Shakespeare]]