Chapter Synopsis of King Lear - Study Guide by William Shakespeare

He wishes sterility on Goneril or at least an unloving child so that she may feel the pain that he is enduring. His words, though, are grandiloquent, fierce and show prolepsis: "Old fond eyes, / Beweep this cause again, I’ll pluck ye out… I’ll resume the shape which thou dost think / I have cast off for ever". When Lear leaves, Albany suggests to his wife that she has been too harsh on her father. She maintains that his retinue must be reduced so that he can cause no threat to her. She sends Oswald to her sister with a letter explaining her actions and asking for her support.

Act I, Scene V

Lear sends Kent ahead to Regan with a letter explaining is predicament, he is warned by the Fool that Regan will probably behave in the same way as her sister. It is a turning point of sorts because Lear exclaims to the fool, his confidante, "I did her wrong": presumably realising his idiocy in disowning the daughter he loved best. The Fool chides the King for becoming old without gaining wisdom and it seems that Lear also is beginning to understand the inevitable result of his regal foolishness: "O! let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven; / Keep me in temper; I would not be mad!"

Act II, Scene I

Edmund is warned that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are to visit the Earl of Gloucester and there is a potential of war between the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany. On reaching Edgar, Edmund warns him that his father is watching his rooms and he should save himself if possible. Edmund manages to persuade his brother to have a mock fight with him before he flees. After Edgar has gone Edmund wounds himself with his own sword and then calls for his father’s help.

When Gloucester comes to his son’s aid Edmund lies to his father, telling him that Edgar planned to kill his father in order to inherit his land and attempted to persuade Edmund to join him in his plan. On his refusal Edmund claims that his brother wounded him with his sword. Again Gloucester is taken in by his son’s lies, calling him (with considerable irony) "Loyal and natural boy". He decides that he will enlist the help of the Duke of Cornwall to track down his son, try him and execute him. In order to protect himself Edmund states that Edgar threatened that he would deny any knowledge of the plan and that no-one will believe him because he is a bastard. Gloucester reassures his son that he believes him and that he will arrange for his illegitimate son to be the heir to his estate.

Regan and Cornwall arrive, surprised at Edmund’s news. Regan has been informed of her father’s behaviour and was warned that she should be absent when he comes to stay, hence her visit to Gloucester. Cornwall praises Edmund for loyalty to his father and saying that he needs trustworthy men, asks Edmund to join his service. It is apparent that unlike Albany, Cornwall is very much of the devil’s party with the evil sisters and Edmund. The "service" offered by Edmund to Cornwall is in stark contrast to the selfless bond offered Lear by Kent.

Act II, Scene II

Kent crosses paths with Oswald before Gloucester’s castle and Oswald is confused by the barrage of insults he receives from Kent (illustrating well Shakespeare’s use of invectives). Oswald does not remember having met Kent with Lear in Goneril’s lodgings. He draws his sword and is beating Oswald, showing his serious loyalty to the King when they are interrupted by Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester and Edmund who arrive to save Oswald after they hear his cries for help.

Cornwall questions why the dispute has taken place and Oswald protests his innocence – stating he refrained from fighting due to Kent’s age. Kent insults Oswald further and humiliates Cornwall with his forceful speeches. Cornwall orders him to be put in the stocks his resolve strengthened when Kent asserts that he serves the King. The events worry Gloucester who does not want to offend Lear.

Act II, Scene III