, Goneril and Regan reveal themselves as the coming villains of the tragedy, with the bastard Edmund lurking in the background Scenes ii, iii, iv, & v: Here Shakespeare returns to the subplot, as Edmund devises a scheme to set his father against Edgar, Gloucester's legitimate son. He shows Gloucester a phony letter in which Edgar tries to enlist Edmund into a murder plot against their father. Edmund then cunningly plans for Gloucester to overhear an exchange between the two brothers. This in place, the play returns to Lear's now regal daughter Goneril as she discusses her plans with the steward Oswald to reduce Lear's remaining powers by treating him and his followers (100 knights) with disdain. Having disguised himself, Kent becomes a member of Lear's rump court at Goneril's and scuffles with the surly Oswald. Goneril tells her father that she will cut the number of his court in half. This causes Lear to leave in anger for Regan's castle and what he thinks will be better treatment. Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, criticizes her harshness toward Lear, but she sends a letter to her sister, encouraging Regan to adopt the same contemptuous stance toward their father. Act I concludes as Lear sends a disguised Kent with a letter to Regan's manor and Lear's jester, the Fool of the play, makes fun of his master for giving power to such cruel, faithless, and deceptive daughters Act IIScenes i, ii, iii, & iv: Edmund advances his plot against his brother. With Gloucester nearby, he makes it seem that Edgar is conspiring to kill his father, by causing Edgar to take flight and then wounding himself. Gloucester is deceived and vows to execute his traitorous son Edgar. Regan and her husband, the Duke of Cornwall, visit Gloucester's castle and enlist Edmund into their service. Outside of that castle, Kent first insults and then fights Oswald. As punishment for the assault, Kent is placed in the stocks. Edgar has escaped from his father's search...
