King Lear Notes

Act IV, Scene VI

Suicide was a big theme in Higgin's version of the tale. It is introduced into Lear in the character of the blind Gloucester who enquires of Edgar how long it will be til they get to Dover.

Edgar is trying to lift his father's spirits. He has gone out of his disguise somewhat and Gloucester is certain that Edgar has improved in his speech.

Edgar pretends that they are on the edge of the cliff and Gloucester jumps.

Edgar changes his disguise now feigning to be a fisherman on the beach at Dover. He convinces Gloucester that he fell off of the cliff, yet survived, and encourages his father to persevere.

Lear enters decked out in his madness.

Gloucester recognizes Lear's voice, and expresses sympathy for Lear. Lear recognizes Gloucester but is plainly out of his mind.

Cordelia's search party, including France, finds Lear and seeks to assure him of his most dear daughter's love for him. Compare Leir.

Edgar approaches France, unaware of who he is, and enquires about the position of the British troops. France informs Edgar that Cordelia is here "on special cause", which is the same language Kent used to describe what he was there for. France and his men pursue Lear.

Oswald comes upon Gloucester and announces that he is going to kill him, which is appealing to Gloucester. The boy who wouldn't take on the ancient Kent earlier, is prepared to make gain out of old blind Gloucester's death, but is so inept with a sword that Edgar kills him with his wooden walking stick.

In his last moments Oswald asks Edgar to deliver Goneril's letter to Edmund.

Edgar finds the letter and reads Goneril's profession of love and for Edmund along with her plea that he kill Albany. The despair in prison imagery here is worth comparing with Cordila's despair in prison in Higgins.

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Suicide was a big theme in Higgin's version of the tale. It is introduced into Lear in the character of the blind Gloucester who enquires of Edgar how long it will be til they get to Dover.

Edgar is trying to lift his father's spirits. He has gone out of his disguise somewhat and Gloucester is certain that Edgar has improved in his speech.

Edgar pretends that they are on the edge of the cliff and Gloucester jumps.

Edgar changes his disguise now feigning to be a fisherman on the beach at Dover. He convinces Gloucester that he fell off of the cliff, yet survived, and encourages his father to persevere.

Lear enters decked out in his madness.

Gloucester recognizes Lear's voice, and expresses sympathy for Lear. Lear recognizes Gloucester but is plainly out of his mind.

Cordelia's search party, including France, finds Lear and seeks to assure him of his most dear daughter's love for him. Compare Leir.

Edgar approaches France, unaware of who he is, and enquires about the position of the British troops. France informs Edgar that Cordelia is here "on special cause", which is the same language Kent used to describe what he was there for. France and his men pursue Lear.

In his last moments Oswald asks Edgar to deliver Goneril's letter to Edmund.

Edgar finds the letter and reads Goneril's profession of love and for Edmund along with her plea that he kill Albany. The despair in prison imagery here is worth comparing with Cordila's despair in prison in Higgins.