BBC: King Lear (2018) part 5

Read the previous post here: http://lilliteraturereviews.blogspot.com/2018/06/bbc-king-lear-2018-part-4.html

Act II, Scenes 3-4

Plot Summary

Scene 3 sees Edgar, who has so far managed to escape, removing his fine clothes and dirtying himself to become "poor Tom". He decides to pretend to be an escapee of a mental asylum, searching for food and shelter.

Lear arrives at Gloucester's castle for scene 4, and spots Kent. He is shocked to learn that Regan and Cornwall have treated one of his servants so appallingly, but excuses their behaviour when they claim that they are sick from travelling. Lear reveals Goneril's recent unkindness to Regan, and Regan suggests to him that he returns to Goneril to beg forgiveness for his actions. Lear asks Regan to let him stay, but he refuses, and he curses Goneril.

Goneril arrives at Gloucester's castle. Regan, who was expecting her arrival, takes Goneril aside and they plot against their father. They tell him he is old and weak, and must surrender half his men if he wants to stay with either of his daughters. He chooses to stay with Regan, but she says only 25 of his 100 men can stay. Lear then bargains with Goneril that he will keep only 50 men if he can stay with her, but she refuses his offer. Then, both daughters refuse him any servants.

Lear is outraged, and marches outside where a storm is brewing. Gloucester wants to let him in, but both Regan and Goneril order the doors to be locked, leaving him in the harsh weather.

BBC Production

Edgar appears to have avoided the guards and dogs, and rests against a tree in the dark wood. He is weak and trembling as he removes his jumper and smears mud on his face.

Back at the castle, Lear arrives in a Landrover and spots Kent tied up outside. He reveals what has happened, and Lear demands to know "Where is my daughter?!" as his rage appears to be starting up again. He marches through the castle, and slyly takes a drink from a flask - it appears a drinking problem is how he handles his issues. Kent is brought in by servants in the background.

Regan puts on her sweetest smile as she attempts to talk the King into returning to Goneril. He curses Goneril, and Regan tries again. This time, he responds by mocking her, getting on his knees and begging Regan as if she were Goneril, laughing at himself as he fakes an apology. Regan's face changes, and a harsher look casts over her face: "Return you to my sister". This sends Lear into a rant about Goneril's mistreatment of him, and Cornwall attempts to calm him. He reminds Regan of the ownership of land which was previously agreed.

They are interrupted by the sounding of a car horn outside, and suddenly Lear remembers Kent outside, asking "who put my man in the stocks?". As perfect timing would have it, Oswald walks in and Lear immediately points his anger and blame toward him. Oswald backs away, and Goneril walks in, looking very regal and commanding. Lear remembers his rage at Goneril and removes himself to another room. Cornwall reveals that he put Lear's man in the stocks.

The issue of where Lear is to stay becomes the topic of the conversation again. Regan provides the reason that she is currently not at home, and so Lear cannot stay with her. He is insulted by the thought of having to give up half his men to stay with Goneril, and rejects her offer. He tells her farewell, "we'll no more meet, no more see one another" and then grabs her face as he kisses her directly on the lips. It is an uncomfortable moment, as the kiss is not tender as it should be between father and daughter, nor is it brief enough. Poor Emma Thompson can only push him off then stand in disbelief after this awkward moment. Lear's rage shows itself again, as his family and friends look upon him in horror.

Gloucester, desperate to protect his King and the peace, looks on as the two daughters reject their father. The two women decide he has no need for any men, for they have plenty of their own, and the King is insulted by this. He removes his coat ready for his rant about wanting his men for reason, not for need, and forcibly wraps it around Goneril upon the lines "If only to go warm were gorgeous,/Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st,/Which scarcely keeps thee warm". She flinches in response at his rage and forcefulness, and I am beginning to question whether this production is hinting at him being more abusive off-screen, perhaps in Goneril's childhood.

Lightening strikes outside to the sound of thunder, and Lear continues his rant. He yells that he will have revenge on his daughters, almost growling as he says his lines. "I shall go mad" he says, as he finally exits the room, and the camera follows him leaving the castle. His Fool follows, and Lear continues his rant of hatred as the Fool huddles against him as they walk in the awful weather. Kent catches up to them, and buttons up Lear's coat and an alliance appears to be sealed between the three of them as they walk on together across a stormy field.

Read part 6 here: http://lilliteraturereviews.blogspot.com/2018/06/bbc-king-lear-2018-part-6.html