King Lear | Act I, Scene 5: Summary and Analysis
New Characters:
Gentleman: one of Lear’s train attending to the horses
Summary
The scene is set in the courtyard in front of Albany’s palace. Preparing to leave for Regan’s, Lear orders Kent to deliver a letter to her in the city of Gloucester. He urges Kent to make sure he arrives before Lear does. In an attempt to raise his master’s spirits, the Fool engages in honest witty metaphors and nonsensical riddles. Lear plays the game for a short time but soon slips back into his preoccupations with his daughter’s ingratitude and his fears of madness. His gentleman...
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- - Read the King Lear text online.
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