English 30-1 Isherwood

Act II: Group Summaries and Quotations for si, sii, and siii

Act II, si
1) In this scene, Edgar flees due to the fact that everyone believes that he is a traitor. What
he doesnt know is that this is because of Edmunds conniving. He believes that his
brother is on his side. But Edmund uses this trust against him and forces him away for
protection. What Edgar doesnt know, is that Edmund cuts himself after their pretend
scuffle to make himself look much more loyal to Gloucester than his other son could ever
be by protecting him with his own flesh. In this way, Edmund appears to be a great man
to both sides of the problem without taking any hatred at all. Gloucester even praises him,
without knowing what has truly happened, and sends a search party after the traitor,
Edgar. Fairly soon after this, Cornwall and Regan arrive and tell the rumour about how
Edgar may be a part of the knights that want to kill Gloucester and Edmund immediately
confirms these suspicions to them, even though they are false. For his honourable
actions, Edmund is declared heir to the throne and heir to the Earl of Gloucester. In
addition, Regan ironically asks Gloucester his advice on deciding on the most believable
letter, even though Gloucester obviously is not the best at interpreting truth from fiction.

For you, Edmund, whose virtue doth this instant so much commend itself, you shall be ours.
(Lines 116-119)


2) Edmund tells Edgar to flee because Gloucester is in pursuit of him. Edmund and Edgar
frame a fight and Edmund wounds himself to make him appear more loyal to Gloucester.
Now the kingdom is on a hunt for Edgar. Later, Cornwall and Regan arrive, they have
received both letters. They seek Gloucesters opinion on which letter is true. They make
Edmund their heir, and now Edmund is next in line for the throne. His plan has worked in
his favor and he has not yet been caught.
You shall Be ours

3) Edmund tricks Edgar into fleeing from Gloucester's estate. By doing this he gains Glouce
ster trust and Gloucester makes Edmund his heir. Regan and Cornwall come to ask for Gl
oucester's advice about the letters Regan receives from Goneril and Lear. When they arriv
e they become allies with Edmund and put him in line to become King.
"For you Edmund, whose virtue and obedience doth this instant so much commend itself, you
shall be ours. Natures of such deep trust we shall much need. You we first seize on. "

Act II, sii

1) Kent dislikes and fights with Oswald because he feels that Oswald is a traitor to the true
king. For this, he gets punished and put into the stocks by Cornwall. Regan makes him
stay longer in the stocks (until the next day, rather than only until noon), which is an
English 30-1 Isherwood
insult to King Lear, whom he serves. Kent knows that Cordelia is returning from France
and he reveals that she knows of his condition as well. Gloucester attempts to stand up
for Kent, but not very hard as he doesnt know what he should be doing anymore as he
doesnt know who is in charge.

"Draw, you rascal! You come with letters against the king and take vanity the puppets part
against the royalty of her father. Draw, you rouge, or I'll so carbonado your shanks! Draw, you
rascal! Come your ways." (Lines 36-40)

2) Kent insults and beats up Oswald and gets put in the stocks until noon the next day.
Gloucester stands up for Kent to Cornwall. Kent slips up on his disguise and starts
speaking in iambic pentameter, it was a close call. Once he is in the stocks he reads a
letter from Cordelia. They are going to join together to restore justice in England.
Nothing almost sees miracles but misery
3) Kent, disguised as Caius, begins insulting and threatening Oswald, he then beats him. Ke
nt is put in the stocks by Regan and Cornwall until noon, which is an unsuitable punishm
ent for a Kings messenger. Cordelia sends a letter to Kent saying that she has returned to
Britain to restore justice.

"Sir, I am too old to learn. Call not your stocks for me. I serve the King, on whose employ
ment I was sent to you. You shall do small (respect,) show too bold malice against the gra
ce and person of my master, stocking his messenger."



Act II, siii

1) Edgar is running away and going in disguise as a crazy poor person. Royalty will not
look at him, so he believes it is the perfect disguise to rid himself of the problems
associated with his old, left behind life.
"Edgar, I nothing am." (Line 21)

2) Edgar hides in a hollow tree from the search party. He decides to become a dirty, crazy
beggar. The rich do not look at the poor. Edgar gives up his identity and becomes Poor
Tom.
Edgar, I nothing am.
3) During Edgars soliloquy, we find out that he is disguising himself as a poor, crazy
beggar in order to hide from Gloucester's men.
"Whiles I may 'scape, I will preserve myself, and am bethought to take the basest and most poore
st shape that ever penury in contempt of man brought near to beast."