KING LEAR
CATASTROPHE. OLD COMEDY.
(Enter Edgar.)
Edm. And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy.
I, 2, 149.
The catastrophe of a dramatic piece always occurred towards the end, and came when the audience were on the tiptoe of expectation, awaiting the final dénouement, as it is called in modern times.
CUE.
My cue is villanous, melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o’ Bedlam.
I, 2, 147.
PART.
You come with letters against the King, and take vanity the puppet’s part, against the royalty of her father.
II, 2, 40.
VANITY.
And take vanity, the puppet’s part.
II, 2, 40.
Vanity was one of the seven deadly sins often presented in old Morality plays, and many references are made to this character by the Elizabethan dramatists.
INTERLUDE.
ALB.
If you will marry, make your loves to me;
My lady is bespoke.
GON.
An interlude.
V, 3, 90.
Goneril would intimate that the interview is becoming quite interesting, and compares the scene with an interlude or a farcical play.