King Lear, directed by Dominic Dromgoole, Shakespeare’s Globe, 2008
Is there any cause in nature
that makes these hard hearts? (Lear, lines 75−76)
A chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle
Gloucester, Lear, Kent, the Fool and Edgar (as Poor Tom) enter a farmhouse on Gloucester’s land. Gloucester says that this is better than being out in the storm and he will make them as comfortable as he can. Kent thanks him, saying that Lear has, in his passion, lost his mind. Gloucester leaves to get food and warm clothing.
Edgar and the Fool exchange mad speeches and Lear decides to hold a mock trial of his evil daughters. He makes Edgar and the Fool his assistant judges. Kent tries to persuade Lear to rest, but Lear insists on having the trial and forces Kent to get involved too. The ‘trial’ is simply three madmen ranting crazily, and Kent is heartbroken to see Lear so reduced. He tries again to calm Lear down.
Gloucester returns with transport for Lear. Kent tells him that Lear is completely insane now and Gloucester says there is a plot to have Lear killed. He asks Kent to take Lear to Dover, where friends await him. Edgar, left behind, says that his own troubles are not as important as he had once thought them, now that he sees Lear’s suffering.
