Te younger rises when the old doth fall. (Edmund, line 23)
Scene 3
King Lear, directed by Trevor Nunn, Royal Shakespeare Company, 2007
A room in the Earl of Gloucester’s castle
Gloucester tells Edmund that he is very unhappy with the recent turn of events. When he asked Cornwall and Regan to allow him to show some kindness and pity to Lear, they responded by taking over his house and telling him he was not allowed to go to Lear’s aid. Edmund condemns this behaviour as savage and unnatural. Gloucester tells Edmund that there is trouble between Cornwall and Albany. He gives Edmund secret information about the French invasion and says there is a letter about it hidden in his room. Gloucester asks Edmund to distract Cornwall while he goes to find Lear.
Gloucester knows that if he is caught helping Lear he will be killed, but he thinks it is worth the risk and tells Edmund to say he is sick in bed if his absence is noticed. He leaves.
Edmund is delighted at this chance to betray his father and plans to go straight to Cornwall with the letter and the information, knowing he will probably be given his father’s land, title and wealth as a reward when Gloucester is executed for treason.
