How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child! The fool’s coxcomb

Stuck on plot? 1-44: Oh so loyal, Kent returns and decides to disguise himself as Caius. He will distort his speech (hello prose) so Lear doesn’t recognize him and he seems more like a common man. Lear is drawn to Kent’s age and abilities and decides to allow him to serve. 45-93: Oswald gives Lear the cold shoulder and disrespects him. Lear lashes out and hits Oswald and Kent chimes in by tripping and threatening him. Lear is pleased with Kent’s service. . . . Love the line . . . You base football player!!

Stuck on plot? 95-193: Enter the Fool! He is a crazed free wheeling, honest jokester who pokes fun at Lear and is able to bury the truth in a barrage of puns, songs, one liners, and jokes. Kent notes, as we do, that this is “not altogether fool.” *We will unpack these jokes with some close reading* 195-285: And speaking of bitches . . . Goneril enters and chastises the fool, Lear, and his knights for bad behavior. She says they are a motley crew of rowdy freeloaders and Lear has no need for this many attendants (100). She tells him to get rid of some, to which Lear responds with curses and a tantrum. He wants to leave and head to Regan’s.

Stuck on plot? 285-340: Goneril’s husband Albany shows up and is baffled by the scene. He “can not be so partial” to Goneril even as she laments about the frivolity of Lear’s men and his needs. Lear leaves with the fool and Kent, clearly upset as he tries to hold back his “hot tears.” 340- end: Goneril summons Oswald to make sure he has written the letter for Regan (about Lear’s behavior) and she dispatches him to Regan’s knowing that her lil sis will have her back!