"O, matter and impertinency mixed! Reason in madness!" says Edgar in 4.6.171-72, in response to a speech Lear makes after he has indured the storm of the previous night. In his torment, Lear has gone mad (in the sense of insane, not angry). The play is filled with characters who are foolish, or mentally deranged--or who pretend to be. The Fool is "foolish," but speaks with wisdom. Edgar pretends to be insane to escape the insanity of a world which has put a price on his head, although he has done no wrong. What about Lear? Why has he gone mad? Are there any benefits to being "mad"? What does Lear lose by being mad? What does he gain? Comment upon Lear and his madness, as seen in Act 4.
Almost crazed from the storm, Lear appears very angered and covered in nature’s flowers. Lines 100-102 sums up his reasons for being mad; “When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found ‘em, there I smelt ‘em out.” He realizes the truth behind Regan and Goneril’s words and actions. He was so angered by this that he relates their deceitful ways to lust and adultery.
ReplyDeleteOne might think, after witnessing such degrading actions and words by Lear, respect for this king may be at stake, but for witnesses such as Gloucester and Edgar, less respect is ruled out. In fact, it tells us that in line 105-106 when Gloucester says “The trick of that voice I do well remember. Is’t not the king?” Gloucester comments to Lear’s words showed honor and kindness he has towards him. Lear’s gains outweighs his losses, if any at all. Lear gains what he wanted most of all--- knowing the amount of love each daughter has for him. He has gained awareness of Regan and Goneril’s false claims to truly love him. He gains knowledge and proof of Cordelia’s love for him. She sends help for Lear and even after Lear runs away, she goes to find him and promises to stay up until he is in her presence. That also entails that Lear gains Cordelia’s full forgiveness, despite his mistreating of her. He gains some much needed rest as well, along with medical help which may help with the re-coverage of his sanity.
I agree with Icy_me. Lear Is almost in a state of shock by all that he realizes. Lear speaking in 4.6.100-104, "When the rain came and wet me once, and the wind the make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are not men o' their words! They told me I was everything. 'Tis a lie, I am not ague-proof," is telling the reader that him enduring the cruel storm and the cruel actions of what he thought was his family have made him mad. He cannot fathom being treated in such a way that his own daughters have been treating their father, much less their king. I like what Icy_me added at the end about Lear ultimately getting want he wanted in the beginning of the play. I think Icy_me is also right about not loosing or gaining respect from him going mad. Everyone that respected and loved Lear in the beginning still does, and the people who were telling false truths still don' respect or love Lear like they claim. This is evident in 4.7 while Cordelia is at Lear's bedside with the doctor. Lear is clearly mad at this point. His conversation with Cordelia is him not knowing where he is or even not knowing that he isn't dead. Cordelia being beside him in this state proves her true love for her father. Lear gains the truth by being mad. The truth of his family and friends. Him being mad seems to make him lose his confidence. Throughout this act, Lear is telling anyone whom he is talking to to not mock him, for he is mad.
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