Act 2, Scene 1 Summary

As a court convenes, North and Cornwall discuss what Bodice and Fontanelle will want to do with Lear, commenting that they shouldn't be allowed to have their way too often. Meanwhile, Bodice instructs the Judge as to what his course of action and his verdict should be - let him condemn himself by babbling in the way he does, and then pass down the judgment that he (Lear) cannot be allowed to live. As Bodice and Fontanelle sit, Lear recognizes the Judge, but denies that he has any daughters.

A series of witnesses takes the stand. Fontanelle testifies to what a bad father Lear was. An Old Sailor testifies that he taught Lear to sail and reminds him that he's got two daughters, adding that his own daughter takes good care of him. An Old Councillor testifies that he helped Lear...