yyEdgar approaches Albany before the battle and gives him the letter Goneril wrote to Edmund. He says that although he appears to be a lowly peasant, he ‘can produce a champion’ who will fight Edmund if Albany calls for one.
Analysis of Edgar’s character and role in Act 5 Scene 1
yyShortly before the battle between the British and French forces, Edgar adds to the tension by issuing a challenge to Edmund. His challenge reinforces the idea that this upcoming battle is ultimately a fight between good and evil.
yyEdgar’s handing over of the letter to Albany greatly increases the already tense atmosphere at this stage in the play.
Act 5 Scene 2
yyEdgar places Gloucester in a safe place where he can rest and leaves to see how the battle is progressing, urging him to pray that ‘the right may thrive’.
yyEdgar quickly returns to tell Gloucester that the battle is lost and that Lear and Cordelia have been taken prisoner. He urges his father to come with him to a place of greater safety. Gloucester, in despair, says he might as well die there but Edgar rebukes him:
Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither; Ripeness is all
Analysis of Edgar’s character and role in Act 5 Scene 2
yyEdgar’s hope in the power of divine justice is crushed in this short scene. He urges his father to hope for the best but has to face reality and tell Gloucester that Cordelia and Lear have been defeated and captured.
y yDespite the bleakness of the situation, Edgar remains resilient. He reminds his father that life is not easy and that part of the human condition is accepting that.
y yEdgar believes that everyone has a preordained time to die and that there is no point in fighting it. This is what he means when he says ‘Ripeness is all’.
