The Folio text moves straight to a scene in which Cordelia marches onstage at the head of her army, informing the audience that Lear has been sighted, still mad, crowned with wildflowers and weeds. Cordelia sends soldiers to find him. A Gentleman (Doctor in Quarto) says that sleep will help Lear and that there are medicinal herbs that will achieve this—a benevolent image of nature that contrasts with the violent storm. A messenger brings news that the British are marching toward them and Cordelia makes it clear that France’s armies are not fighting for “blown ambition”—unlike Goneril and Regan—but for love of Lear.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
Albany’s army has set out, although Oswald says that it took “much ado” for Albany himself to join them and that Goneril “is the better soldier.” Oswald has a letter from Goneril to Edmund that Regan wishes to read, but Oswald refuses. Regan expresses concern at Goneril’s interest in Edmund and argues that he is better suited to her, because she is a widow. She asks Oswald to remind Goneril of this and tells him there is a reward for whoever kills Gloucester.
ACT 4 SCENE 5
Lines 1–93: Edgar persuades Gloucester that they are at a cliff top. Gloucester comments that Edgar’s “voice is altered.” With truthful irony, Edgar responds that he is changed in nothing but his garments. Gloucester delivers a suicide speech and then throws himself forward. Edgar pretends to have found him at the bottom of the cliff, claiming that it is a miracle he survived the fall. He asks who was with Gloucester at the cliff’s head, suggesting that “It was some fiend,” but that he has been spared by the gods. Gloucester resolves to “bear / Affliction.”
Lines 94–209: Lear appears dressed in flowers and talking nonsense, still fixated on his daughters. Gloucester recognizes his voice, but Lear does not recognize him, taking him for “Goneril with a white beard.” In a pitifully ironic exchange Lear claims to remember Gloucester’s eyes and demands that he read an imaginary challenge. Lear excoriates women for their sexual indulgence. He shows “reason in madness” as he talks of justice and how it is useless against sin that is plated “with gold.” Lear runs away from Cordelia’s attendants.
Lines 210–299: Edgar is leading Gloucester to safety, but Oswald finds them and tries to kill Gloucester. Under yet another persona, Edgar fatally wounds Oswald, who begs him to deliver a letter to Edmund. Edgar reads the letter from Goneril, urging Edmund to kill Albany so that she may marry him. Edgar buries Oswald, keeps the letter to show Albany, and leads Gloucester away.
ACT 4 SCENE 6
Cordelia thanks Kent and asks him to change out of his disguise. Kent replies that he has a reason to remain as he is. A Gentleman (Doctor in Quarto) asks Cordelia’s permission to wake Lear. Cordelia kisses Lear and laments her sisters’ treatment of him. When he wakes, she addresses him with respect fitting for a “royal lord.” Lear is disorientated and humbled, in contrast to his earlier pride, and calls himself a “foolish fond old man.” He recognizes Cordelia and assumes that she hates him, acknowledging that she has “some cause.” She refutes this and leads him away. Kent reveals that Edmund is leading Cornwall’s army.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
Lines 1–31: Edmund describes Albany’s “alteration” and “self-reproving.” Regan questions Edmund about Goneril and accuses him of adultery with her. Edmund denies this as Albany and Goneril arrive, bringing news that Lear and Cordelia are reunited. Albany is divided between his role as a leader who must defend his country and his personal reluctance to fight Lear. Goneril and Regan are both reluctant to leave Edmund alone with the other.
Lines 32–66: Disguised, Edgar hands Albany the letter and leaves. Edmund informs Albany that “The enemy’s in view.” Alone, Edmund contemplates the two sisters, coldly observing that “Neither can be enjoyed / If both remain alive.” He resolves to let Goneril kill Albany if he survives the battle and swears that there will be no mercy for Lear and Cordelia.
ACT 5 SCENE 2
Edgar leaves Gloucester in safety and goes to fight for Lear. He returns to report that Lear and Cordelia have been defeated and captured. Gloucester wishes to remain where he is to be captured or to die, but Edgar says that men must “endure” until their appointed time.
ACT 5 SCENE 3
Lines 1–114: Cordelia thinks that they will see her sisters now they are captives, but Lear does not wish to, constructing a fantasy where he and Cordelia will live happily and safely in prison. Edmund orders them to be taken away and gives the captain instructions to kill them. Albany, Goneril, and Regan arrive, and Albany praises Edmund’s “valiant strain,” asking for the captives. Edmund says that he has sent Lear away so that he will not “pluck the common bosom on his side.” Albany reproves Edmund for taking authority, but Regan claims that he has proved himself Albany’s “brother” by leading her armies. Goneril and Regan begin to fight over Edmund and Regan claims him as her “lord and master.” Albany arrests Edmund for treason and ironically bars Regan’s claim on Edmund as he is “subcontracted” to Goneril. As Albany challenges Edmund, Regan is taken ill, poisoned by Goneril. The trumpet sounds to summon a champion for Albany who will maintain that Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, is “a manifold traitor.”
Lines 115–264: Edgar answers the summons but does not identify himself, except that he is “as noble” as Edmund. They fight and Edmund is mortally wounded, but Goneril argues that he is not defeated because he was not bound to fight “An unknown opposite.” Albany demonstrates the shift in power between them as he tells her to “Shut [her] mouth” and produces her letter to Edmund. Goneril flees. Edmund admits the charges and wishes to know his killer, as he will forgive him if he is noble. Edgar reveals his identity and says that they should “exchange charity.” He argues that “The gods are just,” perhaps a response to Gloucester’s lament in Act 4 Scene 1. Edgar relates how Gloucester died on being told of the true identity of the man who has led him in his blindness: his heart was too weak to support the extremes of “joy and grief” provoked by the knowledge. A messenger brings news that Goneril has poisoned Regan and stabbed herself. Their bodies are brought onstage as Kent arrives, seeking Lear. Edmund resolves to do “some good” before dying and reveals that Lear and Cordelia are condemned to death, and that Cordelia’s hanging will be made to look like suicide. He sends his sword as a “token of reprieve” and is carried out.
Lines 265–348: Howling, Lear carries in Cordelia’s body. He tries to revive her, ignoring Kent’s attempts to speak to him, and reveals that he killed the executioner, remembering “the day” that he “would have made [them] skip,” a brief return to his previous, regal self before he disintegrates once more. He dies believing that he sees Cordelia breathe, and Kent begs his own heart to break. Edmund’s death is reported and Albany asks Kent and Edgar to rule and sustain “the gored state,” but Kent refuses, feeling death is near. Despite Albany’s assertion that “All friends shall taste / The wages of their virtue, and all foes / The cup of their deservings,” any sense of justice, human or divine, seems scant, and the play’s resolution is bleak.