King Lear Act III

King Lear Act III

1. Kent and gentleman talking - Kent tells him that the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany are not getting on well

   • King of France is aware of Lears' situation
     • Forces of good starting to unite
       • Kent asks knight to go to Cordelia and ask for help for Lear
         • Kent gives the knight a ring to show Cordelia as proof of the source of information
           • Kent's' resourcefulness shown

2. Storm scene

   • Lear and the Fool are together
     • Lear is cursing his daughters and wants storm to destroy him and the world
       • Lear hasn't accepted his own poor judgment that brought about his downfall.
         • Lear describes a world of criminals and sinners but sees himself as different - he is innocent victim
           • Begins to acknowledge his own vulnerabilities
             • Signs that he is starting to gain wisdom through his own suffering
               • As suffering intensifies he becomes more compassionate ~ recognises the suffering of others
                 • Turning point
                   • The Fool, alone for a moment, makes a strange prophecy, saying that the world is in turmoil and things will get worse

3. Scene advances the subplot

   • By confiding with Edmund, Gloucester gives him with an opportunity to betray him further
     • Provides opportunity to take all of Gloucester wealth
       • Dramatic irony ~ When Gloucester describes the mistreatment of Lear at the hands of his daughters
         • Edmund proves he is deceitful and sly when he feigns disgust about Goneril and Regan
           • He is manipulative, disloyal