King Lear – Class Notes

English Literature – 2nd Year

Student: Jamie L.

Act I: Introduction to Power and Flattery

- Lear is introduced as a king ready to step down, but wants flattery more than
truth ("Which of you shall we say doth love us most?").
- Goneril and Regan flatter Lear with exaggerated declarations of love. Cordelia
refuses to perform love in the same way ("I cannot heave / My heart into my
mouth.").
- Class discussion: Prof said this scene shows early signs of Lear’s tragic flaw —
pride and need for control through affirmation.
- Lear’s “Love Test” is performative — he's giving away power but demands loyalty
and public affection. Makes you wonder if he’s truly ready to retire or just wants
to be adored without responsibilities.
- Banishing Cordelia and Kent = rash decisions. Shows Lear’s poor judgment. "Out of
my sight!" vs. "See better, Lear."

Act II: Division and Loyalty

- Tensions increase between Lear and his daughters now that they have power.
- Edmund betrays Edgar (his brother) and manipulates their father Gloucester. More
parallels between Gloucester and Lear — both are deceived by their children.
- Edmund is classic Machiavellian villain — uses manipulation, lies. Discussion
point: Prof asked if we sympathize with him since he’s a “bastard” and faces
discrimination. Some in class said yes, others saw him as pure opportunist.
- The subplot with Gloucester and his sons mirrors the main plot. Both fathers are
fooled by the children they trust most and reject the ones who are loyal.
- Classmate Sam pointed out how both Lear and Gloucester "see" only after they are
brought low (literal blindness in Gloucester’s case).

Act III: Storm Scene & Breakdown

- Lear’s madness begins. "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!" He’s outside in a
storm — symbolic of inner chaos and the loss of his authority and identity.
- This was a big part of our lecture. Prof said the storm is not just weather but a
"psychological landscape." I wrote in the margin: Weather as emotional expression.
- Lear begins to empathize with “poor naked wretches.” Starts to question justice
and his own privilege — "Take physic, pomp."
- The Fool: tragic figure, truth-teller, but also vulnerable. He disappears after
this act — some say he merges with Lear or is no longer needed as Lear internalizes
the fool’s wisdom.
- Class group work: we made connections between Lear’s madness and the theme of
seeing vs. blindness. Madness allows him insight.
- Famous line: “I am a man / More sinned against than sinning.” — Discussed whether
that’s true or Lear just feeling sorry for himself.

Act IV: Suffering, Recognition, Redemption?

- Gloucester is blinded. Brutal scene. Regan and Cornwall are vicious. This is
where Shakespeare ramps up the violence.
- Lear and Gloucester meet again — both have been humbled. Gloucester’s line “I
stumbled when I saw” is key. Recognition of his earlier blindness.
- Cordelia returns with French army. Scene is quieter. Her forgiveness is striking
— she still loves her father despite everything. “No cause, no cause.” Class
discussion: is this too idealized? Some students skeptical.
- Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, guides Gloucester. We talked about disguise and
performance. Edgar doesn’t reveal himself yet — why? Strategy? Trauma? Morality
play elements?
- Lear is in a much calmer state — still mad but reflective. Begins to understand
justice, suffering, and his past actions. "Through tattered clothes small vices do
appear."

Act V: Tragedy and Catastrophe

- Edmund captures Lear and Cordelia. Cordelia is executed — even after Edmund tries
to reverse the order. Too late.
- Lear comes in carrying her body. Heartbreaking moment. “Howl, howl, howl!” — echo
of earlier rage but now despair.
- Discussion: Prof said the play offers no neat justice. Cordelia’s death is tragic
and feels unjust. Students debated whether this makes the play nihilistic or just
realistic.
- Lear dies of grief. Edgar, Kent, and Albany are left to pick up the pieces. Kent
implies he will follow Lear in death. Edgar gives final speech.
- Final line: “The weight of this sad time we must obey.” Bleak but suggests
endurance.

Themes to Know for Exam:

1. Authority and Power: Lear's initial attempt to control power post-retirement is

flawed. He gives up responsibility but wants to keep status.
2. Blindness vs. Insight: Literal and metaphorical. Lear and Gloucester are blind
to truth until suffering opens their eyes.
3. Justice and Injustice: Lear questions divine justice. Tragedy lies in Cordelia’s
undeserved death. There’s no karmic balance.
4. Madness: Lear’s descent into madness allows him emotional insight. Madness as
liberation from social roles.
5. Family and Betrayal: Betrayal by Goneril, Regan, and Edmund contrasts with
loyalty from Cordelia, Kent, and Edgar.
6. Nature: Both as destructive force (the storm) and metaphor for human behavior.
Lear invokes nature constantly — “unnatural daughters.”
7. Disguise and Identity: Edgar as Poor Tom, Kent in disguise. Identity is fluid.
Appearance deceives.

Quotes to Memorize:

- “Nothing will come of nothing.” (Act I)

- “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” (Act III)
- “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is / To have a thankless child!” (Act I)
- “We two alone will sing like birds i’ the cage.” (Lear to Cordelia, Act V)
- “The wheel is come full circle.” (Edgar, Act V)

Personal Reflection:

This play is heavy. At first I thought it was just about a stubborn old man, but
there’s something profound in how it explores suffering, truth, and forgiveness. I
feel like Shakespeare is asking whether human beings can learn from pain — and
whether they do so too late. There’s no hero, just people failing and trying to do
right again.