BBC: King Lear (2018) part 7

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

Act III, Scenes 5-7

Back at Gloucester's castle, Edmund has betrayed his father by showing Cornwall a letter that proves Gloucester's support of the French invasion, and Cornwall vows revenge. Edmund feigns shock, but his secret plan has come into play as Cornwall rewards Edmund with the title Earl of Gloucester. Cornwall sends Edmund in search of Gloucester, and Edmund hopes to find his father helping Lear to prove Cornwall's suspicions.

Gloucester, Lear, Kent, Edgar and the Fool settle in a small outbuilding, probably on Gloucester's grounds. Gloucester goes to find provisions, while the others perform a mock trial of the King's daughters. The scene is an exhibition of madness, eccentricity and hallucinations. Gloucester rushes back, reporting to Kent that he has overheard talk of a plot to kill Lear, and begs for Lear to be sent to Dover to his allies. Edgar ends the scene with a monologue in which he compares his own suffering to Lear's, concluding that the King's suffering feels far worse and far more important.

In Gloucester's castle, Cornwall shows Goneril the letter which incriminates Gloucester and requests that she tells her husband, Albany. He then sends servants to apprehend Gloucester for punishment, and orders Edmund and Goneril to Albany's place so that they do not have to witness the punishment. Oswald reveals that Gloucester has helped Lear flee to Dover, and Gloucester is found and brought to Cornwall who treats him cruelly and as if he were a criminal. Cornwall says that although he cannot kill Gloucester without a formal trial, he can still punish him brutally.

Gloucester remains loyal to the King, and says he will see his wrongs avenged. Cornwall gouges one of Gloucester's eyes out and remarks, "see't shalt thou never", while Regan orders Cornwall to rip the other eye out too. A servant of Gloucester's steps forward to defend him, but Cornwall and Regan kill the servant after a sword fight. Wounded and enraged, Cornwall gouges out Gloucester's other eye.

BBC Production

Cornwall swoops into action upon reader the damning letter, scrunching it up in fury and dramatically clearing his desk. Suspense is created by the scene flitting between Gloucester's castle and Lear's outside party, hinting to the reader that a climactic event is about to happen. Gloucester shows kindness to the King and his followers, protecting them by allowing them access to a hiding place. Within, Lear's speech becomes slurred and full of spite as he takes the opportunity to condemn his daughters, and his madness shines through until he is advised to rest by Kent. They settle down to rest, but Edgar is shown sat upright, looking around and contemplating what he has just witnessed.

A truck arrives, and Gloucester rushes in to instruct Kent to ensure Lear arrives in Dover. The Fool follows, seeming full of life until he lies down on the bench in the back of the vehicle. His eyes and mouth are wide as he gasps for breath, apparently dying, possibly from the stress of recent events and exposure to the fierce storm.

Andrew Scott has a chance to shine through Edgar's monologue, and it is a moment of redemption. His character becomes grounded and real as he acknowledges the viewer through the camera, seeming sincere in his words. He finishes his speech with a look into a mirror and splashes a handful of water across his face - this action appears to undo all of his words, and I have to question the director's unusual decision to bring a glimmer of madness back to the character in this final moment. Perhaps all will become clear as the production develops.

A return to the castle brings us back to business, as Corwall, Edmund, Cordelia and Regan strutt about the halls with information firing about. "Pluck out his eyes!" orders Goneril, after Regan has suggested Gloucester is hanged for his treason. Another quick exchange informs us that the French have landed, meaning the British army must be prepared. Upon leaving the castle, the first hint at an affair is shown, as Edmund discreetly gropes Regan's bottom as they follow her husband and Goneril to the castle doors.

Gloucester, "the traitor", enters the dining room to find Regan and Cornwall, who order him to be bound to a chair immediately. Cornwall begins to question, but Regan speaks over him and has the final word when she demands Gloucester to speak. Neither believe his honest answers, and Regan's rage gets the better of her. She exchanges a glance with Cornwall, and they know what they are about to do: Gloucester's glasses are removed, and he screams in pain as Cornwall uses Regan's finger as an instrument to gouge out Gloucester's eye. Splatters of blood fly across their faces and over Gloucester's glassed which had been placed on the table (not quite sure how it reached past Cornwall and Regan, but it certainly created a dramatic sight).

Suddenly, a random guard whose face was vaguely familiar stepped forward in Gloucester's defence, shouting in Cornwall's face. Cornwall retaliates, pushing the guard over the dining table and attacking him with cake, leaving the butter knife free for the guard to grab and stab Cornwall with. Regan saves her husband, shooting the guard who falls to the ground, reminding Gloucester that he has one eye left to harm Cornwall and protect the King with. This reminder refocuses Cornwall, and he marches over to the helpless Gloucester to finish the grim job. Regan beats him to it, forcing her finger into Gloucester's eye, and the scene finishes with the sound of his wimpering.

After a gory view of Gloucester, still tied to the chair and with blood dripping down from his eyes, attention is centred onto Regan, looking at her wounded husband in horror. He tells her he is hurting, and reaches for her arm, but the selfish Regan turns away and leaves the room. Cornwall follows with a determined look in his eye, and the camera returns to the defeated Gloucester for the close of the scene.

Read part 8 here: http://lilliteraturereviews.blogspot.com/2018/06/bbc-king-lear-2018-part-8.html