King Lear Film - Act 1 Scenes 3-5

 Stream on Amazon Prime - Episode 3

Alexander Barnett as Lear; Aaron Strand as Fool; Peter Holdway as Kent

1.3

         As Goneril informs Oswald of her intentions to put an end to Lear’s careless and erratic behavior, we see the true extent of her ambition. Goneril is indeed resentful of Lear for favoring Cordelia and disgruntled having endured a lifetime of his rule, but that is not why she acts. Nor does she wish to punish him for the rowdy behavior of his knights as she claims to in the next scene; the reasons she states are excuses. The knights are a nuisance, but she sees them merely as obstacles, not adversaries. Goneril is fed up, but it is from having to hold herself back. Her eagerness to render Lear impotent and cast him out of the kingdom comes first and foremost from her inner drive and ardent desire for power and independence.

 As Goneril’s most trusted servant, Oswald is ambitious, ruthless, and exceedingly loyal. He understands Goneril well and is as driven in pursuing her goals as she is; he is exactly the type of person someone of Goneril’s intensity and severity would respect and trust. Goneril’s excitement at the news her father has hit one of her gentleman far outweighs her anger. She was always going to throw Lear out and now he has provided her a convenient excuse. Like Edmund, her obsession does not obscure her judgment, only strengthens it, as she takes nothing for granted and prepares for ever possibility. Goneril finds restraint and patience stagnating. Now that the perfect opportunity for action has arisen she is energized and restless with anticipation. Since receiving rule of half the kingdom, she feels more at liberty to be herself and execute her will and thus enlists Oswald’s help in provoking Lear and setting her plan in motion. 

1.4 

Having just banished his most beloved daughter for speaking out against him, Lear ironically turns to the Fool who challenges him more freely than anyone else. The Fool is no fool. He is childlike, playful, and innocent, but uncannily intelligent. He is used to being the most insightful person in the room, but does not perform for the benefit of others. He is a creature of nature and is compelled to say whatever comes in to his mind. He is genuinely affectionate with Lear, but does not stop short of mocking him for his mistakes.

 The Fool has isolated himself since Cordelia’s departure and his anxiety shapes his interaction with Lear. He is hurt, confused, and concerned about the consequences for both Lear and the kingdom now that he is at the mercy of the two daughters the Fool knows to be ungrateful and unkind. The Fool mocks Lear’s choices and warns of what is to come, speaking to Lear with a brutal honesty that no one else is permitted. Despite the Fool’s frustration with Lear, there is still exuberance and affection between the two. The Fool cannot help but seek Lear’s approval. Even amidst the gravity of the Fool’s insinuations, the two egg each other on and any threat of punishment from Lear is merely playful reminder of that bond.

 Ever perceptive, the Fool immediately recognizes Kent. The two have a silent exchange wherein the Fool cautions Kent against the danger of his return and Kent requests that the Fool allow his identity to remain a secret. Though the Fool is concerned for Kent’s safety, he also perceives how determined Kent is and knows that he will stick by Lear no matter how dangerous or disastrous the outcome may be. From this point forward, the two are allies in their affection for and devotion to Lear.

  Kent does not become spiteful after his banishment, nor do Lear’s threats dissuade him from returning. Though it is possible that Lear will have him killed on site, Kent endures in his loyalty, respect, and love. Lear’s rejection of his two most beloved relations is only further proof to Kent that Lear needs his guidance and support now more than ever. He is risking his life in returning to serve Lear, yet his desire to protect his master overcomes any need to protect himself.

 Attempting to hide his identity from his oldest friend seems foolhardy, but it is that same familiarity that affords him the knowledge necessary to manipulate Lear.  Kent and Lear were brothers in arms, and Kent is what Lear would want in an ally. He is brave, loyal, and outspoken as both Kent and Caius. He is more brusque and uninhibited as Caius, presenting himself as different enough so as not to arouse suspicion, still there are enough elements of Kent present in Caius that make Lear quick to accept him. When Lear extends his hand to Caius it is a test of both his strength and his political savvy. One cannot shake hands with the King, and so the moment may confuse an outsider. Kent, however, is able to recognize this test and proves his strength but also refrains from beating the king, thus proving his nobility and loyalty in the same moment. There is indeed a part of Lear that hopes Caius is Kent. He does not truly recognize him, but he does recognize something in him that he respects, that he likes, that he misses, that makes him trust Caius so quickly. Despite banishment, deception, and deterioration the bond between the two is ever-present.

 The bond between Kent and Lear is famous amongst the knights and essential to the legitimacy of Kent’s disguise. Stories from the days of their youth have been repeated and embellished over the years and the bond between the two of them is as well renowned as their strength and nobility. Caius is an outsider and could easily arouse suspicion due to his desire to gain access to the King, but the knights immediately recognize Caius as a warrior worthy of Lear’s retinue. They do not recognize Caius as Kent, but they perceive a strength and nobility in him that makes them credulous. He is clearly a warrior and they quickly accept Lear’s inclusion of him.

 This scene is singular in that it is the only point in the entire story that Lear is genuinely happy; however, his enjoyment of the Fool, his knights, and his new follower is short lived. Oswald’s offense is aggravating to Lear, but Goneril’s flagrant disrespect for his authority is truly staggering. With Cordelia out of the way, Goneril presses forward with enthusiasm and commands the room, intimidating Lear’s knights and infuriating her father with her impudence. Kent remains quiet out of vulnerability and even the Fool is shocked into silence. While Goneril has been privy to Lear’s increasingly irrational behavior, she only does not know just how far in decline he really is and only discovers his weakness as the story unfolds. Yet everything that happens in this scene, Goneril has anticipated; she has dismissed Lear’s knights prior to confronting him, she expects Lear’s return upon discovering this fact, and she has had Oswald prepare the letter to Regan in advance to secure her as an ally. Goneril’s cunning and vigilance are so concentrated that she is prepared for even the most extreme reaction, and remains steps ahead.

1.5 

Angered and humiliated by Goneril’s actions, Lear’s thoughts turn swiftly to the last daughter that confronted him so boldly. Yet in contrast to Goneril’s audacity and malice, he sees Cordelia’s behavior in a new light and thinks of her only with regret. The Fool jests both to placate Lear and to warn him further against the foolishness of his actions. Lear, however, is too distracted to head those warnings fully. Lear’s emotional distress and guilt sparks a physical reaction, as if in premonition of what is to come, causing him to express his deep-seated fear of losing his mind for the first of many times.

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