(C) This text is connected to other times in the play when characters have complained about the weather and how the gods will spite those who do bad things. The characters complain to the gods and weather and bring up those two topics specifically whenever they’re faced with problems that they can’t control. Overall, it seems like the characters want to blame their issues on other things that can’t talk back to them. 

(L) The storm is clearly strong symbolism in this situation. The political unrest with Edmund, Gloucester, and Lear’s daughters, along with the spies and conflict with Albany and Cornwall are represented by the terrible storm that Lear finds himself in. He is expressing regrets for his behavior while he was in power, admitting his sins. He likely, after running into Edgar in disguise and experiencing the poor weather first hand, feels that he didn’t do enough for the lower class and beggars.

(R) I thought the last line, “More sinned against than sinning” (line 61) is very interesting because Lear is saying that more people have sinned against him than he has against others. He’s basically refusing to take responsibility for all that he has done. When he realized how poorly Goneril was treating him he went and complained to Reagan instead of taking time to think about his part in everything that has occurred. This line is just so arrogant as well as ignorant. He is telling the sinners to fear the wrath of the gods as if he isn’t a sinner himself. 

(C) Significance of last line: “I am a man more sinned against than sinning” Lear is basically insisting that he is someone who is sinned against more often than he sins against others. This leads to more characterization of Lear as he is beginning to feel sorrow for himself, and frankly, is becoming rather pitiful. He believes that his daughters have committed worse crimes than he has himself, but he has only come to this conclusion because of the way that they have wronged him recently. It’s rather odd how much he loved them, and how quickly he began hating them.

***Lots of good observations here.  In terms of his development, where is he now compared to Act II?  Also, can you connect his fate vs. free will stance to other characters?

CH - In the end, this shows personal growth as Lear sheds his own clothing in sympathy of Edgar (ultimately giving up those extra necessities which separate humans from beasts and Lear from his former royal self.) Lear, seeing Edgar in a worse situation than himself, tells Edgar that he doesn’t owe animals anything since he is not wearing clothes made from animals. He is comparing Edgar to an animal himself, since he is away from civilization and basically not clothed. 

R - It also seems as if he is coming to realize that humans should not be raised above the rest of the natural world for they are animals. 

CH - This scene shows how much Lear has grown. He is no longer narcissistic and selfish, he now sees past material objects and he now knows the value of human life. Lear brings himself to the basicness of nudity, a solid example of his coming moral epiphany. He is at the brink of completely changing his ideas of the role of humans in society further than just meeting basic needs of survival. (Don’t necessarily need the material objects.) 

****Good idea to connect to Act II, specifically p. 55. Also the motif of nothingness....taking on new meaning here? Elaborate on the symbolic meanings of disguises and clothing? If he says Edgar is the thing itself, what's the thing? Relative to passage two (and maybe three?) what's going on with Lear developmentally?

(M) The mood of this scene is one of turmoil and darkness. It has just been confirmed that there is a war brewing between Albany and Cornwall, while there is also a dangerous storm occurring in the background. Shakespeare is creating a scene of confusion, anger, and turbulence to emphasize the idea of conflict.  

(R) There is a dash of irony throughout the entire conversation between the Gentleman and Kent, as Kent keeps saying that he “knows” the Gentleman, while the audience does not. Additionally, the Gentleman isn’t even sure he knows who Kent is.

***You've done well with this passage to extract as much as you have. For this one, try to understand what's going on with the plot as well. Remember Cordelia? Are there references to her and the Duke of France?  To extend what you said about the motif of disguise, what's going with the spies, the intelligence, the mutual cunning?

(Motif) This passage speaks deeply to the motif of nature. He compares running away from a bear to the fear and unhappiness that his daughters caused him. A bear is a happy animal unless disturbed by something unnatural to its habitat. From the perspective of Goneril and Regan, their father’s insistence to keep their power full power at bay, whether on purpose or not, seems unnatural and is something they wish to fight. On the other side though, King Lear feels unnecessarily attacked because he does not believe he has done any wrong. This represents Goneril and Regan’s disrespect toward their father. Lear views this as unnatural as he believes that children should be forever faithful and appreciative of their parents. It is interesting to think that the nature motif can go in both directions.

(R) In this selection, when Lear states that “I won’t cry any more”, it recalls the scene from earlier in the play when, in Act II, directly after Lear comes to terms with Regan and Goneril’s betrayal, he cries “No, I’ll not weep”. He is still upset for the same reason, yet vehemently repeats this earlier promise. It may be for the purpose of resolving himself, or it may reinforce the idea that he is slipping into mental incapacity, since he is repeating himself-- or maybe he is trying to convince himself that he is not reduced to tears over this turn of events as not to appear weaker than he already feels. 

(L) The use of symbolism can be seen in this passage because the storm that is happening represents more than it seems. Lear says that there is a “tempest in my mind”, revealing that the storm going on outside represents the “storm” in his head that is raging after his plans have fallen completely apart and he has been betrayed by his family. The storm also represents the arguments that Lear has with his daughters which involved a lot of conflict and arger. 

****Good ideas. The manner in which the storm in his mind is reflected by the storm outside is important. Is he self-aware here? Connect this passage to the part in passage two about a man more sinned against than sinning? The entitlements aspect is interesting too.... elaborate?