Scene I explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Blindness and Seeing

  Gloucester's physical blindness contrasts with his growing insight into human nature, as he says 'I stumbled when I saw' and later asks to be led by a 'madman.'

• Suffering and Redemption

  Both Edgar and Gloucester endure extreme suffering, yet Edgar's guidance offers a potential path toward redemption.

• Nature and the Natural Order

  The heath and the storm imagery emphasize the chaotic natural world, while Gloucester's line 'As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods' reflects on the cruelty of fate.

Characters to notice

• Edgar

  Disguised as Poor Tom, Edgar reflects on his wretched state and agrees to lead his blind father Gloucester to Dover.

• Gloucester

  Blinded and led by an old tenant, Gloucester laments his fate and asks the 'naked fellow' (Edgar) to guide him to Dover.

• Servants

  The old man, a tenant of Gloucester and his father, assists Gloucester and later leaves to fetch clothing for Edgar.

Key passages

• “To be worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter.”

  Being at the very bottom of fortune means you no longer fear further loss; the worst has already happened, and things can only improve.

  Edgar reflects on the paradoxical comfort of hitting rock bottom.

• “I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw: full oft ’tis seen, Our means secure us, and our mere defects Prove our commodities.”

  Since I am lost, I don't need eyes; I made mistakes when I could see. Often our advantages make us careless, while our weaknesses become benefits.

  Gloucester articulates the theme of blindness leading to insight.

• “As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport.”

  We are like flies to cruel boys; the gods torment us for their own amusement.

  Gloucester expresses a bleak view of divine justice.