Critics such as Jan Kott (see page 24) accept Lear’s interpretation of Poor Tom as ‘a poor, bare, forked animal’ (line 110) and conclude that Shakespeare is giving us a
wholly bleak picture of human existence, anticipating the twentieth-century literature of the absurd. Lear is mistaken, however, for Tom is actually Edgar, a highly purposeful, intelligent human being, acting the part of Tom in order to ensure his survival and ready to reclaim his rightful role if only he can find the opportunity. In spite of the suffering displayed in this scene, some hope remains. It is also a positive element of the scene that the characters sympathise with one another, even though Kent is initially reluctant to allow Poor Tom to take shelter with the king.