Goneril and Edmund arrive at her husband’s palace, and Goneril says she is surprised that Albany did not come and meet them on the way. Oswald approaches and says that Albany is a changed man: he’s happy that the French army have landed and sad that Goneril is home again. When Oswald told him of Gloucester’s treachery and of Edmund’s loyalty to Cornwall, Albany was angry and called him a fool who has got it all wrong.
Goneril tells Edmund to go back to Cornwall’s palace and get his army ready to fight while she will take charge of Albany’s army. She kisses him and gives him a ‘favour’ (something to remember her by, possibly a handkerchief or a small piece of jewellery). She hints that she would like to give him more and we gather that she would like to be his lover. Edmund leaves.
Albany enters. He criticises Goneril for the way she, Regan and Cornwall have treated Lear. Goneril insults Albany, calling him a weak, cowardly man who ought to be busy getting ready to fight the French instead of concerning himself with the punishment of men who deserved it. Albany calls her a devil, saying such behaviour is even more unnatural in a woman. He says he would like to kill her and is barely restraining himself from doing so.
A messenger enters with news that Cornwall has died from the wound inflicted on him by the servant who tried to stop him gouging out Gloucester’s eyes. Albany is appalled to hear that Gloucester was blinded and thinks that Cornwall’s death is just punishment. Goneril is glad Regan is not so powerful now that her husband is dead, but at the same time she worries that this leaves her sister free to marry Edmund. Albany says that he is grateful to Gloucester for the friendship he has shown Lear and promises to seek revenge on those responsible for his blinding.
