By: Gabby Finn, Taylor Hudson, Dylan Parker, Kayce Russell, Shealee Houchens, Tyler McCown

Understanding the foolish reality you’ve created can make one go mad.

“Fool: Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. Lear: O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper; I would not be mad!” (Fool, Lear, Act I, v, 38-39)

Due to Lear’s rash decisions of banishing Cordelia and Kent from the kingdom, the fool mocks Lear, stating that he might be old but he is not very wise. The fool is warning Lear to wise up before it becomes too late. Lear then begs himself to remain sane and in good mental health, even though he is already deteriorating.

Right before Lear has his daughters tell him how much they love him and before Cordelia and Kent are banished.

“Lear. O reason… I have full cause of weeping, but this heart Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws Or ere I’ll weep. O Fool, I shall go mad!” (Lear, Act II, vi, 65)

Due to his daughters rejecting, Lear finds himself in a disheartening and depressing state, one that he warns will drive him mad if it is allowed to fester. He cries to his fool of his madness, of whom had already forewarned Lear that this would happen through riddles and humor.

“Kent. Sir, I do know you,… Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow The King hath cause to plain. I am a gentleman of blood and breeding…” (Kent, Act III, I, 68)

Kent describes the sorrow the King is experiencing at the current moment, and how it is grasping hold of Lear’s life. The madness of Lear is clear to everyone involved with him, and the ones that care about him are short to know what to do about it.

“Gloucester. ‘Tis the times’ plague, when madmen lead the blind. Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure; Above the rest, be gone.” (Gloucester, Act IV, I, 97)

Gloucester comments on how troubling the times are, as the blind follow the mad. This quote is perhaps a commentary on leadership as a whole in the kingdom, and perhaps further.

Act 4, Scene 6 This is when Lear comes out of the field dressed in flowers.

Edgar: “…taught me to shift Into a madman’s rags, t’ assume a semblance That very dogs disdained...” (Edgar, Act V, iii, 139)

Edgar describes the troubles of his disguises, and how he had to disguise as a madman to get by. He mocks those that sent him off, saying he had to disguise as the very ones who cast him away: madmen.

Citations Personn, Johan Photograph. Donmar, London. Schajer, David Photograph. Donmar, London.