King Lear Notes

Act IV, Scene III

This scene was in the Quarto (performed before James I) but cut from the Folio (performed before the public), perhaps because it is heavily anti-puritan.

Kent is talking with the Gentleman / France and has obviously been told that the King of France has returned to France. Kent, who doesn't see France's disguise, asks why France returned, and France has to come up with some excuse. He informs Kent that "Monsieur La Far" is in charge of the French troops. "La Far" suggests someone who is far off as opposed to himself who is near. France is playing with the blind Kent.

Kent enquires about the way Cordelia received his letters which France had carried for Kent, and we see that Cordelia's reaction is the reaction of someone for whom the news contained in the letters was no news at all.

Kent wants to know if the King of France had gone before his letters reached Cordelia. He is wanting him to know what he has done too.

Kent has left Lear again and come in search of France and Cordelia. He informs France that Lear doesn't want to see Cordelia out of shame for the way he treated her.

Kent tells France that "some dear cause" (which will turn out to be his own glorification) is going to keep his identity concealed from France for a while longer. But he assures him that when he finds out who he has been dealing with, he will not regret having given aid to him.

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