ACT 3 SCENE 1
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
Cornwall sends Goneril to tell Albany that France has landed, instructing Edmund to accompany her. Oswald informs Cornwall that Lear has gone to Dover. Gloucester is brought for questioning. Regan cruelly encourages the servant to bind Gloucester “hard” and disrespectfully plucks his beard. He admits that he sent Lear to Dover to protect him from Regan’s “cruel nails” and Goneril’s “boarish fangs.” Cornwall puts out one of Gloucester’s eyes. A servant tries to help Gloucester, but as Cornwall fights him, Regan seizes a sword—a symbol of her “unwomanly” power—and stabs the servant. Cornwall takes Gloucester’s other eye as Regan reveals that it was Edmund who betrayed him. Gloucester thus gains metaphorical “sight” as he is literally blinded. Regan orders Gloucester to be put out onto the heath to “smell / His way to Dover.” She leads the mortally injured Cornwall away. In the Quarto text, the remaining servants discuss Regan’s lack of womanly feeling, offer first aid to Gloucester and vow to get “the Bedlam” (Tom) to lead him to Dover.
ACT 4 SCENE 1
Edgar argues that even the “most dejected thing of fortune” can still have hope, but then he sees his blinded father and realizes he is “worse than e’er.” Gloucester shows self-awareness when he says that he “stumbled” when he saw, and ironically talks of his “dear son Edgar.” Gloucester blames the gods, to whom men are “As flies,” and who “kill us for their sport.” The old man leading Gloucester recognizes “Poor Tom” and Edgar realizes that he must remain disguised and “play fool to sorrow.” Gloucester wishes Tom to lead him to Dover, despite the old man’s protests, arguing that “ ’Tis the time’s plague, when madmen lead the blind.” Edgar’s pity for Gloucester means that he struggles to maintain his deception. Gloucester asks to be taken to the edge of Dover’s cliffs.
ACT 4 SCENE 2
Lines 1–31: Goneril wonders why Albany did not meet her. Oswald informs her that Albany has changed—he “smiled” to hear of the French army’s arrival and said “The worse” at Goneril’s return. He refuses to believe Gloucester’s treachery or Edmund’s loyalty. Goneril sends Edmund back, blaming Albany’s change on his “cowish terror.” She gives him a love token and kisses him, telling him to wait for “A mistress’s command.”
Lines 32–77: Albany and Goneril quarrel. In a Quarto-only sequence, Albany shows new strength as he berates Goneril for her treatment of her father, calling her and Regan “Tigers, not daughters”; she accuses him of cowardice, describing him as “a moral fool.” In the Folio’s edited version of their exchange, Goneril calls her husband a “Milk-livered man.” A messenger brings news of Cornwall’s death and Gloucester’s blinding; he delivers Goneril a letter from Regan. Albany is horrified and swears revenge on Edmund for his betrayal of Gloucester. Goneril shows mixed feelings at Cornwall’s death—Regan is less powerful as a widow, but she is also free to marry Edmund.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
In a Quarto-only scene, Kent and a Gentleman inform the audience that France has returned to his kingdom, leaving Cordelia in England. Kent asks for Cordelia’s reaction to his letter. The natural imagery—“Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears”—shows her goodness and contrasts with the darker images of nature associated with Goneril and Regan. Kent comments that the differences between the sisters can only be accounted for by “the stars above” who “govern our conditions,” recalling the comments made about fate and free will by Gloucester and Edmund in Act 1 Scene 2. Lear is in Dover but refuses to see Cordelia because of his “burning shame” at his treatment of her.