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King Lear Act 1 Scene 5

The Fool (Sylvester McCoy) reminds Lear (Ian McKellen) about how foolish he was to banish Cordelia and favour Goneril and Regan.

Director interview (Trevor Nunn)

Trevor discusses the setting and relevance of King Lear, the themes and verse, and why it's paired with The Seagull.

King Lear 1:2 Extract 1

Edmund (Philip Winchester), Gloucester's illegitimate son, confides in the audience that he plans to trick Gloucester in order to inherit land bequeathed to Edgar.

King Lear 1:2 Extract 2

His plotting now well underway, Edmund (Philip Winchester) tells Edgar (Ben Meyjes) that Gloucester is angry. The scene ends with Edmund's smug soliloguy.

Philip Winchester (Edmund)

After filming Act 1 Scene 2, Philip answers our questions about playing Edmund and how he succeeds in his plotting.

Changeover - Seagull to Lear

The Courtyard crew take 1.5 hours to transform the stage set from The Seagull to King Lear. Watch it here in just 30 seconds.

Performance photo gallery

From Lear's test of love to the tragic ending, explore Trevor Nunn's touring production in pictures.

Rehearsal photo gallery

Join the King Lear company behind the scenes in rehearsal.

Teachers' notes [PDF 508K]

Activities for teaching King Lear, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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What's happening in this scene? Has Edmund overheard Gloucester in the first scene?

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

What leads to Edmund's decisions? Why do you think he is angry?

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How does Edmund manage to convince Gloucester?

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How would you describe the contrast between Edmund and Edgar?

Act and Scene
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How is Edmund able to to trick Edgar?

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How did you approach this scene in rehearsals?

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How does Edmund feel about gods, nature and fate?

Act and Scene
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

How does Edmund conclude his journey at the end of the play?

Act and Scene
Credit
Date: 2007-06-05
Copyright: © RSC 2007

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