King Lear: Act V

The audience really starts to see the development in Edgar and Gloucester’s relationship in this act. We encounter a man at his lowest, having been betrayed by his illegitimate son and then horribly blinded by his enemies and it is at this moment in which he begins to reflect on his wrongdoing. He realizes the pain that he has caused Edgar, exclaiming that if only he could “live to see thee in my touch”(4.1.24) Ironically at this moment is where he unknowingly encounters Edgar disguised as a beggar. We then see Gloucester display a sort of concern towards the beggar, for example offering him clothing and money. It is as if he is trying to repent for his actions against Edgar by showing kindness towards a complete stranger who happens to actually be Edgar. Despite his father’s past treatment, Edgar cannot help but feel sorry for his condition and in this way we see a sort of unbreakable bond between a father and son no matter the circumstance. The love and respect for his father is still intact and demonstrates this by guiding him to Dover and not allowing his attempt for suicide. In what Gloucester thinks are his last words, he says, “If Edgar live, O, bless him!” (4.6.40). His dying wish was for God to bless the son that he has treated so horribly, which reveals his upmost apology and love that he still has for his son.

Even though I am slightly skeptical of Lear’s loss of consciousness, he certainly had a reason to drive him towards madness. The two daughters that he believed loved him most banished him outside his own kingdom and the only daughter who truly loved him he has cursed. I think that it is ironic that a man who began the play with so much power, authority and resolution has resulted in someone who is out of touch with reality and whose mind is beginning to falter. It seems to be a befitting punishment for someone who refused to listen to sound judgment from Kent and the Fool.