Act 3, Scene 5 - King Lear | Classic Literature
Gloucester’s castle.
Enter Cornwall and Edmund .
Cornwall
I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.
Edmund
How, my lord, I may be censuredjudged or criticised , that nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of.
Cornwall
I now perceive, it was not altogether your brother’s evil disposition made him seek his death; but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable badness in himself.
Edmund
How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France: O heavens! that this treason were not, or not I the detector!
Cornwall
Go with me to the duchess.
Edmund
If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand.
Cornwall
True or false, it hath made thee earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehensionarrest or capture .
Edmund
Aside. If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.—I will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood.
Cornwall
I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love.
Exeunt.
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Previously Act 3, Scene 4: Outside the hovel, Lear reflects on the suffering of homeless people and admits that he has cared too little for them. Edgar emerges disguised as poor Tom, and Lear treats him as a fellow victim of daughters and a philosopher, even tearing at his own clothes. Gloucester arrives offering food and warmth, but fails to recognise Edgar and speaks of his supposedly treacherous son in his presence.
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 Defying the orders to bar Lear from shelter, he offers fire and food while unknowingly speaking of his grief over Edgar in his disguised son's presence. Edmund After Gloucester confides his plans to help Lear, he resolves to report both the aid and the secret letter to the duke in order to gain his father's possessions. King Lear He admits neglecting the homeless poor, tears at his clothes before Edgar's disguised figure and insists on keeping this supposed philosopher with him. 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 Disguised as poor Tom, he performs madness before Lear and remains unrecognised when Gloucester arrives and speaks of his supposedly murderous son. 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
censured judged or criticised
apprehension arrest or capture
Act 3, Scene 5 in brief At the castle, Cornwall announces his determination to take revenge on Gloucester before leaving his house. Edmund presents his disclosure as a painful conflict between family feeling and loyalty, and produces the letter as evidence of Gloucester's dealings with France. Cornwall uses the accusation against Gloucester to reinterpret Edgar's supposed attack, suggesting that the father helped provoke it. He awards Edmund the earldom whether the letter is true or false and orders him to locate Gloucester for arrest. Edmund's aside shows him calculating how his father's aid to Lear could strengthen suspicion, while his spoken words continue the performance of reluctant duty. Cornwall ends by promising Edmund a dearer father in himself, turning political patronage into a substitute family bond.
Key quotes True or false, it hath made thee earl of Gloucester. Why it matters Cornwall separates the reward from the truth of the evidence. His power can turn an accusation into Edmund's advancement without a settled judgement of Gloucester's guilt.Power and authority Truth, flattery and deception Birth, rank and inheritance
thou shalt find a dearer father in my love. Why it matters Cornwall offers paternal affection as a reward for betraying a father. The promise joins Edmund's pursuit of rank to a new personal allegiance.Family love and duty Birth, rank and inheritance Power and authority
Themes in this chapter Truth, flattery and deception Family love and duty Birth, rank and inheritance Power and authority Nature, fate and responsibility
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Contents ×
Act 1
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 Act 4, Scene 7 4 min Act 5
Act 5, Scene 1 3 min Full contents of King Lear Text settings ×
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