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Excerpt from Act 3, Scene 4 in King Lear

EDGAR: Away! the foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Humh! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.

LEAR: Hast thou given all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?

EDGAR: Who gives anything to poor Tom? whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlpool, o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inch'd bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom 's acold. O, do de, do de, do de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes.

use the passage to answer the question
How does the exchange between Lear and Edgar highlight the context of their class differences? How are these characters similar and different despite the different classes they come from? Cite evidence from the text to support your response. Your response should be one paragraph in length.

The exchange between Lear and Edgar highlights the vast differences in their class backgrounds. Lear, as a king, is accustomed to privilege, wealth, and power. He questions Edgar, who he refers to as "poor Tom," about giving away all his possessions to his daughters. This suggests that Lear cannot comprehend how someone of a lower class, like Edgar, could willingly give up everything they have. On the other hand, Edgar, who has been disguised as "poor Tom," responds by emphasizing the hardships and suffering he has endured. He mentions being led by the foul fiend through fire, flames, ford, and whirlpool, which indicates a life filled with danger and adversity. Edgar's language and actions illustrate his madness, while Lear's responses reveal his confusion and disbelief towards Edgar's circumstances. Despite their differences in class, both characters experience loss and struggle, but Lear's inability to understand Edgar's plight serves as a reminder of their differing social positions.