In Gloucesters castle, Gloucesters servant Curan tells Edmund that he has informed Gloucester that the duke of Cornwall and his wife, Regan, are coming to the castle that very night. Curan also mentions vague rumors about trouble brewing between duke of Cornwall and the duke of Albany.
Edmund is is delighted to hear of Cornwalls visit, relizing he can make use of him in his scheme to get rid of Edgar. Edmund calls Edgar out of his hiding place and tells him that Cornwall is angry with him for being on Albanys side of their disagreement. Edgar has no idea what Edmund is talking about. Edmund tells Edgar further that Gloucester has discovered his hiding place and that he ought to flee the house immediately under cover of night. When he hears Gloucester coming, Edmund draws his sword and pretends to fight with Edgar, while Edgar runs away. Edmund cuts his arm with his sword and lies to Gloucester, telling him that Edgar wanted him to join in a plot against Gloucesters life and that Edgar tried to kill him for refusing. The unhappy Gloucester praises Edmund and vows to pursue Edgar, sending men out to search for him.
Cornwall and Regan arrive at Gloucesters house. They believe Edmund lies about Edgar, and Regan asks if Edgar is one of the disorderly knights that attend Lear. Edmund replies that he is, and Regan speculates further that these knights put Edgar up to the idea of killing Gloucester in order to acquire Gloucester wealth. Regan then asks Gloucester for his advice in answering letters from Lear and Goneril.
Outside Gloucesters castle, Kent, still in pesent disguise, meets Oswald, the chief steward of Gonerils household. Oswald doesnt recognize Kent from there Scuffle in act 1, scene 4[Lear asks Oswald “who am I?” expecting to hear ‘The King’ whereas Oswald responds with “My ladys father” in disrespect]. Kent roundly abuses Oswald, describing him as cowardly, vain, boastful, overdressed, servile, and groveling. Oswald still maintains that he doesnt know Kent; Kent draws his sword and attacks him.
Oswalds cries for help bring Cornwall, Regan, and Gloucester. Kent replies rudely to their calls for explanation, and Cornwall orders him to be punished in the stocks, a wooden device that shackles a person ankles and renders him immobile. Gloucester objects that this humiliating punishment of lears messenger wll be seen as disrespectful of Lear himself and that the former king will take offence. But Cornwall and Regan maintain that Kent deserves this treatment for assaulting Gonerils servant, and they put him in the stocks.
After everyone leaves, Kent reads a letter that he has received from Cordelia in which she promises that she will find some way, from her current position in France, to help improve conditions in Britain. The unhappy and resigned Kent dozes off in the stocks.
Regan and Goneril both refuse Lears 100 knights which enrages Lear because they are stripping him of all his power and identity. They reduced it to 50 then 25 then 0 and Lear refuses to give in to this and when the storm breaks he rushes out determined not to give in to there demands. Regan and Cornwall shut the Castle gate to lock him out.
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