Act 3 Scene 2

Summary

Here the fool speaks in common sense. Lear is exposed to the storm and the fool says he needs to get in a house to shelter from the storm. But he also suggests that the house should have harmony and that it should not be troubled by the schemes of woman. Here the fool states sn another prophecy: a prophecy of the nature of a good government and a good society.

Characters Thoughts/Feelings

The Fool is very concerned with the sanity of Lear. He sees that his mind has become a storm that’s out of control. He feels that he has to help guide Lear and now their roles have been reversed and the Fool must care for the King.

The fool has a foresight of a government and a society of high quality, but he realizes because of Lear’s personal flaws the prophecy will never come to pass.

Diary of a Fool

Dear Diary

Things have gone bad to worse. The king’s sanity reflects the turmoil of the storm. It is now my responsibility to look after him. I had finally convinced him to take shelter from the hash storm…I just hope fortune will smile on us in the near future.

King Lear Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Y68hWYh5w&feature=related

Act 2 Scene 4

Summary

In this scene the Fool responds to Kent’s portrayal of Lear’s daughters of betraying him. The fool then sings in what I think is a prophecy of Lear’s downfall because of the betrayal of his daughters.

Characters Thoughts/Feelings

Despite laughing at Kent while in stocks he feels that Kent understands the situation between Lear and his daughters and is trying to give an accurate description of what’s going o. But Lear would not listen to reason. So the Fool feels that he can only try to say what the future would hold if Lear keeps moving in this direction.

Diary of a Fool

Dear Diary

Yet another sad day. Although it was funny to see the King’s new subordinate in stocks he too gives him good advice but yet again the King does not listen. And again he does not heed my advice as well because in his eyes I'm just a fool.

King Lear Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqWry3qaQLw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL4II56Rs7s&feature=related

Act 1 Scene 4

Summary
In this scene right before the Fool enters Lear addresses to his subordinates. They have been telling him that his daughters Regan and Goneril were lying through their teeth in order to acquire his kingdom, but in his pride he would not heed their advice. At this point the Fool shows himself and offers Kent his coxcomb(fool's cap) implying that he would be a fool if he were to serve a king that would banishes two of his daughters and blessed the third one without intending to. Lear becomes unhappy with the Fools criticism and warns that he will be whipped if he continues, but the Fool replies that the King can punish him but that will not change the truth. The fool then tells him the truth in a form of a riddle, but both Kent and Lear thinks he is speaking in nonsense. The fool calls Lear a fool because he gave all his titles away and the title “fool” is the only one left.

Characters Thoughts and Feelings
In this situation the Fool realizes that Lear is not open to direct advice on the current matter so the Fool presents the advice through Kent. By offering the coxcomb to Kent he is saying indirectly to Lear that he’s the fool for not heeding Kent's advice. He feels that Lear is blind to the truth and that Kent is only trying to help the King see the errors of his judgment. Even after being threatened by being whipped he would tell the truth no matter what punishment awaits him. Although Lear and Kent both think he speaks nonsense the Fool knows what’s to come and that King is the real fool.

Diary of a Fool

Dear diary

Today I was summoned to the presence of King Lear and I was shocked to see that he’s completely blind to his two daughters Ragen and Goneril manipulating him through they’re forked tongues for their own interest. Kent took great offense when I offered him my coxcomb but who is the real fool:  the fool or the fool who follows him. Fortunately Kent the loyal subject that he is tried to convince him with the truth but as always nuncle refuses anyone’s advice and banishes Sir Kent; but I feel that we’ll be seeing him again.

King Lear Clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai1FuJNQUos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU4ioJwTzbU&feature=related