ACT V

Knowledge

Home Page

ACT V, Scene 3

In this final scene, Edmund enters triumphantly, having captured
Lear and Cordelia. He plans to have both of them put in prison.
Lear, seeming somewhat sane again, realizes the danger that
threatens Cordelia and him, but he refuses to be unhappy with
Cordelia at his side. She is not concerned about herself, but is
grieving for her unfortunate father. Before they are taken away,
Edmund orders his Captain to kill both Lear and Cordelia while
they are in prison.

Albany, Regan, Goneril, and their soldiers return from the
battlefield. Albany demands that Edmund release the prisoners.
Edmund informs him that they cannot be released, for their
freedom would jeopardize the loyalty of the British soldiers.

Regan, bickering with Goneril about Edmund, suddenly announces
that she will marry him. Albany steps forward and forbids the
marriage. He accuses Edmund and Goneril of high treason,
arresting them both. Having finally read the letter that Goneril has
written, he reveals her plot to murder him with the assistance of
Edmund. Regan, horrified at the turn of events, feels ill and is led
away.

Albany offers to let Edmund fight a duel, allowing him to die with
some honor. The trumpet is sounded to call for a champion to
come forth and fight Edmund. Albany states that he will enter the
duel if no one else rises to the challenge. An unknown opponent,
dressed in armor, comes forward to duel with Edmund. In the fight
that follows, Edmund is fatally wounded. Goneril, realizing her
own pathetic state, runs out.

As Edmund is dying, he confesses his treachery and forgives his
adversary. Edgar then reveals himself. Albany welcomes Edgar,
who informs them of the death of Gloucester. He tells Edmund of
how he looked after their father after he was blinded and how
Gloucester has died knowing the truth about Edgar's identity.
Edgar also praises Kent's loyalty to both Gloucester and Lear,
helping them both when they were full of misery and madness.

A gentleman enters and announces the deaths of both Goneril and
Regan. In her jealousy over Edmund, Goneril poisoned Regan,
causing the illness seen earlier in the scene. Goneril then stabs
herself, joining her sister in death. Edmund is also dying, gasping
for breath. He has admitted that he led a vile life and was unworthy
of the love shown him by Regan and Goneril. Kent enters to say
that he is taking leave of his King. Albany then remembers that
Lear and Cordelia are still prisoners and needs to get them
released. In an attempt to do some "last good" before he dies,
Edmund states that he has instructed Cordelia to be hanged and
wants to rescind the order. He tells an officer to go and stop the
killing and hands him his sword to take as proof.

As the officer departs to save Cordelia from certain hanging, a
grieved Lear staggers in carrying her dead body. The punishment
was not stopped in time. The King, obviously shocked and
bewildered, lays Cordelia on the ground and kneels beside her. He
calls for a mirror, holding out hope that Cordelia's breath will
appear on the looking glass. Kent kneels beside Lear, who is
totally grief-stricken. He believes that the world is a nightmare,
where men and women are barbarians and murderers.

After an officer comes in with the news of Edmund's death,
Albany begins to plan the future. Wanting goodness to replace evil,
he reinstates Lear as King and says that Kent and Edgar will be
rewarded for their loyalty. Lear's condition, however, is rapidly
deteriorating. His rambling words make no sense, and he thinks
that Cordelia is alive again. Then with everyone watching him,
Lear simply topples over and dies.

The bodies of Lear and Cordelia are taken away. Albany wishes
for Kent and Edgar to rule England, but Kent has no interest. He
declares that he will soon follow his master, King Lear. The play
ends with a brief, logical speech by Edgar, who has been made the
new ruler of Britain. It appears that order will finally be returned to
the kingdom.
back