Act 1, Scenes 2, 3 and 4 Summary

These three scenes define the battle for control of Lear's kingdom within the context of an exploration of the characters of the bloodthirsty Bodice and Fontanelle.

Scene 2 - As a parade of soldiers passes and as Lear salutes them, Warrington attempts to get him to abandon his war with Bodice and Fontanelle, saying he's an old man and could always ask to live in peace in the country. Lear refuses, saying his daughters can't be trusted. Warrington then reveals that Bodice and Fontanelle have each independently asked him (Warrington) to betray Lear, each offering him financial and military and sexual rewards if he does. Lear comments that they live in a fantasy world, and then tells Warrington that if he (Lear) is killed, he (Warrington) must finish the wall. Warrington tells him there's no chance he will be defeated...