ACT 4 KING LEAR
Act 4 scene 1 summary
Edgar delivers a soliloquy in which he reflects that his fate will improve. he is then presented
with the sight of his blinded father. Gloucester believes he is a madman and pays him to take
him to the highest cliff in Dover. The audience can infer he is planning on committing suicide.
Edgar sees his father. Repetition shows his shock and despair. 'poorly led' = 2 interpretations -
being led by someone unworthy of rank (poor man) or because he can't see so is struggling to walk
'But who comes here? My father, poorly led? World, world, O world!'
Simile shows Gloucester's despair and cynicism. Suggests the Gods have no mercy.
'As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport'
Gloucester asks Poor Tom (Edgar) to take him to a cliff. Personifies cliff
'There is a cliff whose high and bending head looks fearfully in the confined deep, bring me
but to the very brim of it'
Act 4 scene 2 summary
Goneril bids Edmund goodbye with a kiss. Goneril realises Albany is no longer her ally as he is
outraged by the knowledge that Lear has been driven mad by Goneril and Regan's abuse. We
discover Cornwall died in act 3 scene 7. Albany plans to avenge Gloucester.
Goneril kisses Edmund. After kiss, Goneril shifts from formal 'you' - indicates her intimacy with
Edmund. Lines that follow have a semantic field of sexual meanings
'This kiss, if it durst speak, would stretch they spirits up into the air'
Albany is highly critical of Goneril - insults her. Metaphor
'O Goneril, you are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face'
Albany further condemns Goneril and Regan. Idea that 'great fish eat the small' = common, but
Shakespeare turns it into vision of cannibalism - simile
'Humanity must perforce prey on itself, like monsters of the deep'
Messenger reveals that Cornwall is dead. Is this divine justice? 'good' and 'Cornwall' used in same
sentence = ironic?
'O my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead'
Albany aligns himself with Lear and Gloucester
'and to revenge thine eyes'
Act 4 scene 3 summary
Kent speaks with a gentleman in the French camp near Dover. Discuss Cordelia's reaction to
her father's suffering. Kent reveals that Lear arrived at Dover, but is refusing to see Cordelia
because he is ashamed
Religious imagery surrounding Cordelia
'the holy water from her heavenly eyes'
Act 4 scene 1 summary
Edgar delivers a soliloquy in which he reflects that his fate will improve. he is then presented
with the sight of his blinded father. Gloucester believes he is a madman and pays him to take
him to the highest cliff in Dover. The audience can infer he is planning on committing suicide.
Edgar sees his father. Repetition shows his shock and despair. 'poorly led' = 2 interpretations -
being led by someone unworthy of rank (poor man) or because he can't see so is struggling to walk
'But who comes here? My father, poorly led? World, world, O world!'
Simile shows Gloucester's despair and cynicism. Suggests the Gods have no mercy.
'As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport'
Gloucester asks Poor Tom (Edgar) to take him to a cliff. Personifies cliff
'There is a cliff whose high and bending head looks fearfully in the confined deep, bring me
but to the very brim of it'
Act 4 scene 2 summary
Goneril bids Edmund goodbye with a kiss. Goneril realises Albany is no longer her ally as he is
outraged by the knowledge that Lear has been driven mad by Goneril and Regan's abuse. We
discover Cornwall died in act 3 scene 7. Albany plans to avenge Gloucester.
Goneril kisses Edmund. After kiss, Goneril shifts from formal 'you' - indicates her intimacy with
Edmund. Lines that follow have a semantic field of sexual meanings
'This kiss, if it durst speak, would stretch they spirits up into the air'
Albany is highly critical of Goneril - insults her. Metaphor
'O Goneril, you are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face'
Albany further condemns Goneril and Regan. Idea that 'great fish eat the small' = common, but
Shakespeare turns it into vision of cannibalism - simile
'Humanity must perforce prey on itself, like monsters of the deep'
Messenger reveals that Cornwall is dead. Is this divine justice? 'good' and 'Cornwall' used in same
sentence = ironic?
'O my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead'
Albany aligns himself with Lear and Gloucester
'and to revenge thine eyes'
Act 4 scene 3 summary
Kent speaks with a gentleman in the French camp near Dover. Discuss Cordelia's reaction to
her father's suffering. Kent reveals that Lear arrived at Dover, but is refusing to see Cordelia
because he is ashamed
Religious imagery surrounding Cordelia
'the holy water from her heavenly eyes'
