Act III Summary

Kent (as Caius) Gentleman

As the storm rages, Kent encounters a Gentleman and inquires after Lear. The Gentleman reports that Lear has gone mad and that he: “bids the wind blow the earth into the sea…” “tears his white hair” until there is none left Chases the wind and rain even though it’s a violent storm Kent finds out that Lear is with the Fool and that the Fool is trying to ease Lear’s anger and madness with jokes. Kent reveals that there is conflict between Albany and Cornwall and that France has arrived in Dover to conquer England during this turmoil.

Kent advises the Gentleman to make his way to Dover, revealing his gentleman status and that Cordelia has come with France. He gives the Gentleman a ring as proof of his identity to give to Cordelia. Kent goes into the storm to find Lear and asks the Gentleman to let him know if he sees Lear in the meantime.

Lear Fool Kent

The storm continues to rage, and Lear enters, raging at the storm. The Fool follows, asking Lear to return to Gloucester’s home and beg for his daughters’ blessing. Lear continues to yell at the storm (apostrophe, hey), calling himself “poor, infirm, weak, and despised.” He expects nothing from the storm but for it to do its job. Despite the Fool’s warnings about needing shelter, Lear refuses to apologize.

Kent finds Lear and the Fool, and he comments that he’s never seen a storm as intense as the one now. Lear says only villains should be scared of the storm and that he has been “sinned against” more than “sinning” and will stay in the storm. Kent tells Lear of a nearby hovel where they can get shelter. Lear finally agrees to get shelter as his “wits begin to turn” – he’s tired and going crazy. The Fool prophesizes that England will soon echo the chaos of the storm and be turned upside down.

Gloucester Edmund, the bastard

Gloucester and Edmund enter. Gloucester reveals that when he went to take pity on Lear, Cornwall and Regan took over his household and told him not to help Lear in any way on “pain of perpetual displeasure.” Gloucester shares that he is aware of the dukes’ conflict and that he received a letter about France landing in Dover but wants to keep the news secret. He leaves to help Lear and asks Edmund to distract Cornwall and lie that Gloucester has gone to bed, sick. Edmund reveals that he will tell Cornwall of the letter and Gloucester helping Lear, saying he expects to be rewarded for his treachery.

Kent Lear Fool Edgar (as “Poor Tom”)

The storm is still going on but has calmed. Lear, Kent, and the Fool come to the hovel. Lear talks about how his mind leaving him (being “free”) has left him weak physically and emotionally – he is worn out. While Kent tries to get him into the hovel, they encounter “Poor Tom” (Edgar, in disguise) and, in their weariness and the darkness, think he’s a spirit. Edgar warns them to leave, that “the foul fiend” is with him (that he’s possessed) and he’s mad. Lear asks whether Edgar had daughters drive him insane, too.

Lear and “Poor Tom” go back and forth with Lear claiming his daughters have made him mad and begins to tear off his clothes. “Poor Tom” speaks in riddles. Gloucester enters, unsure of who “Poor Tom” really is, and “Poor Tom” acts crazy. Gloucester is shocked that Lear is hanging out with the beggar and invites him to come home with him as Gloucester cannot live with following the sisters’ cruel commands. As the storm continues, Gloucester reveals that Kent was right when he said the sisters were not as loving as they claimed since they now want his death. He says he himself has been betrayed by his own child, Edgar. Lear agrees to come home with Gloucester if “Poor Tom” can come; they all exit.

Cornwall Edmund, the bastard

Having learned of Gloucester’s betrayal, Cornwall swears revenge. Edmund hopes he won’t be punished for being loyal to his father. Cornwall muses that Edgar was not evil in seeking Gloucester’s death but that Gloucester was evil and deserved death. Edmund reveals the letter and is named Earl of Gloucester in place of his father and brother. Cornwall asks Edmund to find his father so he may be punished. Edmund feigns regret in doing the deed but secretly states that he hopes Gloucester is found with Lear so the betrayal will be fully substantiated. Cornwall praises Edmund’s loyalty.

Kent Gloucester Lear Edgar (as “Poor Tom”) Fool

Lear et al. arrive at Gloucester’s. “Poor Tom” continues to talk about fiends, and Lear and the Fool begin a mock trial of Goneril and Regan. After the trial, Lear lays down. Gloucester returns, worried about Lear, and tells Kent about a death plot on Lear. Gloucester tells Kent to take Lear to Dover and agrees to help them flee. Edgar is alone and muses about how they will help each other bear their miseries.

Goneril Edmund, the bastard Regan Cornwall Oswald Gloucester Servants

Cornwall gives Goneril a letter to give to Albany about Gloucester betraying them and the French army arriving in Dover. The talk about punishing Gloucester: Regan says to hang him; Goneril says to pluck his eyes out; Cornwall says leave it to him and asks Edmund to keep R & G company so they don’t see what he plans to do to Lear. Cornwall asks where Lear is, and Oswald reports that Gloucester has given Lear some knights to escort him to Dover.

Edmund escorts Goneril home as Cornwall asks that Gloucester be brought to him. Gloucester is brought before Cornwall. They bind his arms and call him a traitor. Gloucester protests his treatment as he’s their host. Regan plucks his beard and torments him. Regan and Cornwall ask about the letter and Lear, and when Gloucester says he sent Lear to Dover to save him from being destroyed by R & G.

Gloucester says he will live to see “winged vengence overtake [R&G].” In reply, Cornwall gouges out one of Gloucester’s eyes. Regan says they should take out the other one, too. One of Cornwall’s knights stands up for Gloucester and decries Gloucester’s punishment, fighting Cornwall before Regan kills him. Cornwall takes out the other eye. Gloucester calls for Edmund, but Regan tells Gloucester of Edmund’s informing them and being named Earl of Gloucester. Gloucester realizes he acted foolishly in banishing Edgar and asks for forgiveness.

Regan kicks the blind Gloucester out of his house so he can “smell his way to Dover.” Cornwall has been injured, echoes Regan’s command to throw out Gloucester. They leave. The servants decide to help Gloucester, wrapping his face in bandages and finding “Poor Tom” to guide him to Dover.