KING LEAR - Act 1 Scene 5

KING LEAR - Act 1 Scene 5

1. Lear sends Caius (Kent in disguise) to deliver a letter to Regan, announcing his arrival at her place (that makes 2 letters that are en route to Regan) Caius is not to tell Reagan anything about what has happened in the previous scene

   • Presumable Lear wants to tell Regan his own account of Goneril's heartless disobedience

2. The Fool continues to make jokes about Lear's predicament (difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation)

   • The Fool agrees with Goneril about Lear not being wise as he is being naive to think that Regan is likely to greet him with loving arms because Regan is likely to be just as bad as Goneril

3. Lear says that he has wronged Cordelia, his one good daughter and cannot seem to get his mind off her - "I did her wrong"

4. The Fool continues to make jokes and says about how Lear should be beaten for being old before his time. The Fool points out that men should be wise before they get old, translating that Lear has been acting like a foolish old man rather than a wise old amn

5. Lear fears that Goneril's ingratitude is driving him mad: "O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! I would not be mad" and wonders if he can reclaim his throne with violence.

   • Foreshadow that Lear might be driven to maddness

6. A knight informs Lear that his horses are ready

7. Themes

8. Motifs