King Lear: Act 4, scene 2 Summary & Analysis

Having traveled from Gloucester's—now Edmund's—castle, Goneril and Edmund arrive at Goneril's palace. Oswald emerges, reporting that Albany is "changed" (2.1.4) and that everything that should upset him pleases him. Goneril, irritated, tells Edmund that he should not meet Albany at this time. She gives Edmund a sign of her favor and kisses him. Edmund exits, swearing that he will remain faithful to her until death. After he has gone, she laments that her "fool" (i.e. her husband) "usurps [her] body" (35).

Albany enters and denounces Goneril (and Regan) in scathing terms for their mistreatment of their father: "Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed?" (49). Although Goneril tries to shut him up by calling him a coward, he persists, calling her a devil, and says that if Goneril were not a woman he would tear her to pieces.

However, a servant interrupts them, bursting in with news of Gloucester's blinding and that Cornwall has died of the wound he received from his servant. Albany, who had not known of Gloucester's blinding, cries out that Cornwall's death is proof that the gods exist: "this shows you are above,/ you justicers" (95-6). Goneril, however, is worried that the widowed Regan will now seduce Edmund from her. She hurries off to answer the messenger's letter.

Left alone with the Messenger, Albany asks whether Edmund is with Gloucester. The Messenger explains that it was Edmund who informed against him. Albany vows that he will thank Gloucester for his love toward Lear and will revenge his lost eyes. He summons the Messenger to give him more information.