Kent has brought Lear and Cordelia to the opening of the hovel and advises Lear
to enter.
Lear says that the tempest in his
mind is so great that he doesn't even notice the physical storm which is actually terrible.
Kent urges Lear to shelter
for himself, but Lear will stay outside and pray before he sleeps.
Lear suggests that Fool goes in, describing the Fool as "houseless poverty", ironic perhaps, in that Cordelia had had her land taken from her.
The Fool enters while Lear prays for those who have
to suffer daily and confesses that he never cared for these people while
he was King.
The Fool runs from the dark hovel, fearing a spirit calling itself "Poor Tom" is in there. The spirit is actually another "houseless poverty" Edgar, who has also sought protection from the elements in the hovel.
This mention of a spirit ought to be compared with Cordila's encounter with the "gryzely ghost, Despaire", in Higgin's version.
Kent calls on Edgar to come out of hiding which he does, wrapped in nothing but a blanket, and mumbling about the foul fiend that haunts him.
It is the Fool, Cordelia, who notices the near naked condition of Edgar and suggests the shame that it would have been had he not had a blanket.
In his deepening depression Lear will not accept that Poor Tom's situation was caused by anything other than that which has caused his problems - two unkind daughters.
Lear wants us to consider Edgar well! We might well consider the Fool too!
Lear wants to tear off his clothes to join
Edgar in nakedness, but again the Fool, Cordelia, speaks up and insists that it is "a naughty night to swim in."
Gloucester now enters, telling that he's found a place that Lear can stay, a farm house. It's clear that Edgar recognizes Gloucester, but Gloucester doesn't recognize Edgar, and Edgar asserts his disguised name to maintain his disguise.
Gloucester feels sorry for Lear. He speaks highly of Kent to Kent, whom he assumes is banished. Gloucester confesses to being almost mad himself because of his own son, Edgar's, treachery.
Lear agrees to go to the shelter
only if Edgar, whom he perceives to be a philosopher, will go along with him.
Gloucester wants to separate Edgar from the party, and Edgar doesn't want to go along either, but Lear wants him and will not go to the farm house without him.
Kent persuades Gloucester to allow Edgar to join them, and so they make their way towards the farm house.
