Theme of madness in King Lear

Lears self image is undermined	“This is not Lear…Who is it who can tell me who I am?”
Lear is pained to the point of insanity by his “?”	“pelican daughters”
In his madness Lear acquires a peculiar type of wisdom- a wisdom summed up in Edgar’s paradoxical expression “?”	“Reason in madness”
Lear realises that he was rash with Cordelia	“I did her wrong”
The fool constantly reminds Lear of his foolishness. Does so in nonsense songs.	“Fathers that wear rags/Do make their children blind”
The fool says Lear has not been wise	“…thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise”
Fool is perceptive enough realize the consequences of his masters intense suffering on the heath	“This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen”
Lear begs heaven for him not to go mad. Shows some self awareness	“O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven”
Lear tells fool he shall go mad	“O fool, I shall go mad”
The sight of Kent in the stocks sends Lear into a rage	“Tis worse than murderto do upon such violent outrage”
Lears madness is apparent when he attributes Poor Tom’s sorrow to his “?”	“Unkind daughters”
Lear appoints a madman and a fool to pass judgement in a courtroom	“Come, sit thou here, most learned justice”
Lear finds in Edgar a true image of basic humanity he wants to share	“unnacomadated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art”

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