Act 3, Scene 3 - King Lear | Classic Literature
Gloucester’s castle.
Enter Gloucester and Edmund .
Gloucester
Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desire their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.
Edmund
Most savage and unnatural!
Gloucester
Go to; say you nothing. There’s a division betwixt the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet: these injuries the king now bears will be revenged home; there’s part of a power already footed: we must incline to the king. I will seek him, and privilysecretly relieve him: go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: if he ask for me. I am ill, and gone to bed. Though I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king my old master must be relieved. There is some strange thing towardabout to happen; approaching , Edmund; pray you, be careful. Exit.
Edmund
This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke
Instantly know; and of that letter too:
This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
That which my father loses; no less than all:
The younger rises when the old doth fall. Exit.
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Previously Act 3, Scene 2: Lear challenges the storm and condemns his daughters while the Fool urges him to find shelter. Kent arrives and directs them towards a hovel; Lear admits that his wits are turning and expresses concern for the cold Fool. After Lear and Kent leave, the Fool delivers a comic prophecy about the kingdom.
Who's who so far Kent Still disguised, he sends the Gentleman towards Dover with news of Lear's suffering and a ring for Cordelia, then searches for the king. Gloucester He tries to mediate between Lear and Regan and warns of the exposed countryside when Lear leaves in anger as a storm begins. Edmund He wounds his own arm and accuses Edgar of attacking him, prompting Gloucester to promise him eligibility to inherit land and Cornwall to take him into his service. King Lear Raging against the storm and his daughters, he acknowledges that his wits are turning, shows concern for the Fool and accepts Kent's offer of shelter. Cornwall He acknowledges ordering Kent's punishment and supports Regan's demand that Gloucester shut his doors after Lear leaves. Albany He says he knows nothing of the cause of Lear's anger and questions whether Goneril's fears about Lear go too far. Goneril She joins Regan in questioning Lear's need for any followers and tells Gloucester not to persuade him to stay after he leaves in anger. Regan She joins Goneril in refusing to house Lear with any followers and tells Gloucester to shut his doors against the danger she claims they pose. Cordelia Kent identifies a letter as hers and says she has learnt of his disguised service to Lear. KF King of France Cordelia's suitor, who values her character above her lost dowry and accepts her as his queen despite Lear's rejection. B Burgundy Cordelia's suitor, who withdraws when Lear refuses to give her the marriage portion he had offered. Edgar Hunted after being publicly proclaimed, he plans to survive by disguising himself as a nearly naked beggar called poor Tom. Oswald Attacked by Kent outside Gloucester's castle, he presents Kent's earlier violence as an attempt to flatter Lear and receives Regan's support. K The Knight One of Lear's followers, who reports the household's declining respect for the king and says the Fool has been grieving since Cordelia left. Fool He stays with Lear in the storm, urges him to seek shelter and ends the scene with a comic prophecy about a disordered kingdom. G The Gentleman He reports Lear's exposure to the storm with only the Fool beside him and receives Kent's instructions for a mission to Dover before joining the search for Lear. C Curan He tells Edmund that Cornwall and Regan are coming to Gloucester's castle and reports rumours of war between Cornwall and Albany. Words to know
privily secretly
toward about to happen; approaching
Act 3, Scene 3 in brief At the castle, Gloucester complains to Edmund that the people controlling his house have forbidden him to plead for or support Lear. He confides news of division between the dukes and a dangerous letter which he has locked in his private room. Believing that an armed force will avenge Lear's injuries, he resolves to seek out his old master even if helping him costs his life. He asks Edmund to distract the duke and cover his absence by saying he has gone to bed ill. After Gloucester exits, Edmund's closing speech turns this act of trust into an opportunity to obtain his father's possessions by reporting both the forbidden aid and the letter.
Key quotes Though I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king my old master must be relieved. Why it matters Gloucester makes service to Lear a duty worth risking his life for. The decision sets personal loyalty against the commands imposed within his own house.Power and authority Nature, fate and responsibility
The younger rises when the old doth fall. Why it matters Edmund reduces his father's danger to a means of advancement. The balanced opposition between younger and old makes family loyalty give way to competition for possessions and position.Family love and duty Birth, rank and inheritance Truth, flattery and deception
Themes in this chapter Family love and duty Truth, flattery and deception Birth, rank and inheritance Power and authority Nature, fate and responsibility
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Contents ×
Act 1
Act 1, Scene 2 6 min Act 1, Scene 3 1 min Act 1, Scene 4 12 min Act 1, Scene 5 2 min Act 2
Act 2, Scene 1 5 min Act 2, Scene 2 6 min Act 2, Scene 3 1 min Act 2, Scene 4 11 min Act 3
Act 3, Scene 1 2 min Act 3, Scene 2 3 min Act 3, Scene 3 1 min Act 3, Scene 4 7 min Act 3, Scene 5 1 min Act 3, Scene 6 4 min Act 3, Scene 7 4 min Act 4
Act 4, Scene 1 3 min Act 4, Scene 2 3 min Act 4, Scene 3 2 min Act 4, Scene 4 1 min Act 4, Scene 5 1 min Act 4, Scene 6 10 min Full contents of King Lear Text settings ×
Picked up where you left off Start of chapter