No Fear Shakespeare - King Lear - Act 1, Scene 1 - Webs

King Lear William Shakespeare
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Act 1, Scene 1
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Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUND KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUND enter.
KENT KENT
I thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany I thought the king preferred the Duke of Albany to
than Cornwall. the Duke of Cornwall.
GLOUCESTER GLOUCESTER
It did always seem so to us. But now in the division of We used to think so too. But the way he’s divided
the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values the kingdom recently, nobody can tell which of the
most, for equalities are so weighed that curiosity in dukes he favors more. He’s split the kingdom so
neither can make choice of either’s moiety. evenly that it’s impossible to see any indication of
favoritism.
KENT KENT
(indicating EDMUND) Is not this your son, my lord? (pointing to EDMUND) Isn’t this your son, my lord?
His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so Yes, I’ve been responsible for his upbringing. I’ve
often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed had to acknowledge that he’s my son so many
to it. times that now I can do it without embarrassment.
KENT KENT
I cannot conceive you. I can’t conceive of what you mean.
Sir, this young fellow’s mother could, whereupon she You can’t conceive? Well, this guy’s mother could
grew round-wombed, and had indeed, sir, a son for her conceive him all to well. She grew a big belly and
cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell had a baby for her crib before she had a husband
a fault? for her bed. Do you smell something naughty?
KENT KENT
I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so Well, I wouldn’t want to undo the naughtiness,
proper. since the boy turned out so well.
But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year older But I have a legitimate son a few years older than
than this, who yet is no dearer in my account. Though this one, and I don’t love him any more than I love
this knave came something saucily to the world before my bastard. Edmund may have snuck into the world
he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good a little before his time, but his mother was pretty,
sport at his making, and the whoreson must be we had a fun time making him, and now I have to
acknowledged.—Do you know this noble gentleman, acknowledge the guy as my son.—Do you know
Edmund? this gentleman, Edmund?
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EDMUND EDMUND
No, my lord. No, I don’t, my lord.
25 (to EDMUND) My lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter (to EDMUND) This is Lord Kent. Remember him as
as my honorable friend. my friend and an honorable man.
EDMUND EDMUND
My services to your lordship. Very pleased to meet you, my lord.
KENT KENT
I must love you and sue to know you better. I look forward to getting to know you better.
EDMUND EDMUND
Sir, I shall study deserving. I’ll try to make myself worth your knowledge.
30 He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. He’s been gone for nine years and he’s leaving
again soon.
Sennet. Trumpets announce the arrival of King LEAR.
The king is coming. The king is coming.
Enter one bearing a coronet, then King LEAR, then the A man bearing a crown enters, followed by KING
Dukes of CORNWALL and ALBANY, next GONERIL, LEAR, the Dukes of CORNWALL and ALBANY,
REGAN, CORDELIA, and attendants then GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and
attendants.
LEAR LEAR
Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. Go escort the lords of France and Burgundy,
Gloucester.
I shall, my lord. Yes, my lord.
Exit GLOUCESTERLEAR GLOUCESTER exits.
LEAR LEAR
Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.— In the meantime I’ll get down to my real business.
35 Give me the map there.—Know that we have divided —Hand me that map over there.—I hereby
In three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent announce that I’ve divided my kingdom into three
To shake all cares and business from our age, parts, which I’m handing over to the younger
Conferring them on younger strengths while we generation so I can enjoy a little rest and peace of
Unburdened crawl toward death.—Our son of Cornwall, mind in my old age.—Cornwall and Albany, my
40 And you, our no less loving son of Albany, loving sons-in-law, I now want to announce
We have this hour a constant will to publish publicly what each of my daughters will inherit, to
avoid hostilities after I die. The two



Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2 Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife great princes of France and Burgundy, vying for the
May be prevented now. hand of my youngest Cordelia, have been at my
The two great princes, France and Burgundy, court a long time and will soon have their answers.
45 Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love, —My daughters, since I’m about to give up my
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, throne and the worries that go along with it, tell me
And here are to be answered.—Tell me, my daughters, which one of you loves me most, so that I can give
(Since now we will divest us both of rule, my largest gift to the one who deserves it most.—
Interest of territory, cares of state) Goneril, my oldest daughter, you speak first.
50 Which of you shall we say doth love us most
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where nature doth with merit challenge?—Goneril,
Our eldest born, speak first.
GONERIL GONERIL
Sir, I do love you more than words can wield the matter, Sir, I love you more than words can say. I love you
55 Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty, more than eyesight, space, and freedom, beyond
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, wealth or anything of value. I love you as much as
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor, life itself, and as much as status, health, beauty, or
As much as child e'er loved or father found— honor. I love you as much as any child has ever
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable. loved her father, with a love too deep to be spoken
60 Beyond all manner of so much I love you. of. I love you more than any answer to the question
“How much?”
CORDELIA CORDELIA
(aside) What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. (to herself) What will I say? I can only love and be
silent.
LEAR LEAR
Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, I give you all this land, from this line to that one—
With shadowy forests and with champains riched, dense forests, fertile fields, rivers rich with fish,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, wide meadows. This land will belong to your and
65 We make thee lady. To thine and Albany’s issue Albany’s children forever.—And now what does my
Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter, second daughter Regan, the wife of Cornwall, have
Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? Speak. to say? Tell me.
REGAN REGAN
Sir, I am made of that self mettle as my sister, Sir, I’m made of the same stuff as my sister and
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart, consider myself just as good as she is. She’s
70 I find she names my very deed of love— described my feelings of love for you precisely, but
Only she comes too short, that I profess her description falls a little short of the truth. I reject
completely any


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Act Scene
Myself an enemy to all other joys, joy except my love for you, and I find that only your
Which the most precious square of sense possesses. majesty’s love makes me happy.
And find I am alone felicitate
75 In your dear highness' love.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
(aside) Then poor Cordelia! (to herself) Poor me, what am I going to say now?
And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s But I’m not poor in love—my love is bigger than my
More ponderous than my tongue. words are.
LEAR LEAR
To thee and thine hereditary ever You and your heirs hereby receive this large third
80 Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, of our lovely kingdom, no smaller in area or value
No less in space, validity, and pleasure than what I gave Goneril.—Now, you, my youngest
Than that conferred on Goneril.—But now, our joy, daughter, my joy, courted by the rich rulers of
Although our last and least, to whose young love France and Burgundy, what can you tell me that
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy will make me give you a bigger part of my kingdom
85 Strive to be interessed. What can you say to draw than I gave your sisters? Speak.
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Nothing, my lord. Nothing, my lord.
LEAR LEAR
Nothing? Nothing?
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Nothing. Nothing.
LEAR LEAR
90 How? Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again. Come on, “nothing” will get you nothing. Try again.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave I’m unlucky. I don’t have a talent for putting my
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty heart’s feelings into words. I love you as a child
According to my bond, no more nor less. should love her father, neither more nor less.
LEAR LEAR
How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, What are you saying, Cordelia? Revise your
95 Lest you may mar your fortunes. statement, or you may damage your inheritance.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Good my lord, My lord, you brought me up and loved me, and I’m
You have begot me, bred me, loved me. I giving back just as I should: I obey you, love you,
Return those duties back as are right fit— and



Act Scene
Obey you, love you, and most honor you. honor you. How can my sisters speak the truth
Why have my sisters husbands if they say when they say they love only you? Don’t they love
100 They love you all? Haply when I shall wed their husbands too? Hopefully when I get married,
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry I’ll give my husband half my love and half my
Half my love with him, half my care and duty. sense of duty. I’m sure I’ll never get married in the
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, way my sisters say they’re married, loving their
To love my father all. father only.
LEAR LEAR
105 But goes thy heart with this? But do you mean what you’re saying?
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Ay, good my lord. Yes, my lord.
LEAR LEAR
So young and so untender? So young and so cruel?
CORDELIA CORDELIA
So young, my lord, and true. So young, my lord, and honest.
LEAR LEAR
Let it be so. Thy truth then be thy dower. Then that’s the way it’ll be. The truth will be all the
110 For by the sacred radiance of the sun, inheritance you get. I swear by the sacred sun, by
The mysteries of Hecate and the night, the mysterious moon, and by all the planets that
By all the operation of the orbs rule our lives, that I disown you now as my
From whom we do exist and cease to be— daughter. As of now, there are no family ties
Here I disclaim all my paternal care, between us, and I consider you a stranger to me.
115 Propinquity, and property of blood, Foreign savages who eat their own children for
And as a stranger to my heart and me dinner will be as close to my heart as you, ex-
Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous Scythian, daughter of mine.
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
120 Be as well neighbored, pitied, and relieved
As thou my sometime daughter.
KENT KENT
Good my liege— But sir—
LEAR LEAR
Peace, Kent. Be quiet, Kent. Don’t get in my way when I’m
Come not between the dragon and his wrath. angry. I loved Cordelia most of all and planned to
I loved her most and thought to set my rest spend my old age with her taking care of me. (to
125 On her kind nursery.— CORDELIA) Go


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Act Scene
(to CORDELIA) away! Get out of my sight!—I guess if she doesn’t

Hence, and avoid my sight!— love her father, then I’ll only have peace when I’m
So be my grave my peace as here I give dead.—Call the King of France. Why is nobody
Her father’s heart from her.—Call France. Who stirs? doing anything? Call the Duke of Burgundy.
Call Burgundy.—
Exeunt several attendants Several attendants exit.
Cornwall and Albany, Cornwall and Albany, you and your wives can
130 With my two daughters' dowers digest this third. divide this last third of my kingdom between you. If
Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. she wants to be proud, or “honest,” as she calls it,
I do invest you jointly with my power, she can just marry her own pride. I hereby grant to
Preeminence, and all the large effects you two my crown and all the privileges that
That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, kingship brings. I’ll live one month with one of you,
135 With reservation of an hundred knights the next month with the other one. All I ask is that
By you to be sustained, shall our abode you provide me with a hundred knights for my own
Make with you by due turns. Only shall we retain entourage. I’ll keep only the title of king, but you’ll
The name, and all th' additions to a king. have everything else: all the authority and income
The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, that come with kingship. To confirm all this, take
140 Belovèd sons, be yours; which to confirm, this crown to share between yourselves. (he gives
This coronet part between you. CORNWALL and ALBANY the crown)
(gives CORNWALL and ALBANY the coronet)
KENT KENT
Royal Lear, King Lear, I’ve always honored you as king, loved
Whom I have ever honored as my king, you as my father, obeyed you as my master, and
Loved as my father, as my master followed, thanked you in my prayers—
145 As my great patron thought on in my prayers—
LEAR LEAR
The bow is bent and drawn. Make from the shaft. I’m furious and ready to snap. Stay away or else
I’ll take my anger out on you.
KENT KENT
Let it fall rather, though the fork invade Let your anger fall on me then, even if its
The region of my heart. Be Kent unmannerly sharpness pierces my heart. Kent can speak rudely
When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man? when Lear goes mad. What are you doing, old
150 Think’st thou that duty shall have dread to speak man? When powerful kings cave in to flatterers, do
When power to flattery bows? To plainness honor’s you think loyal men will be afraid to speak out
bound against it? When a majestic king starts acting silly,
When majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state, then it’s my duty to be blunt.


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Act Scene
And in thy best consideration check Hold on to your crown and use your better
This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment, judgment to rethink this rash decision. On my life I
155 Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, swear to you that your youngest daughter doesn’t
Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound love you least. A loud mouth often points to an
Reverbs no hollowness. empty heart, and just because she’s quiet doesn’t
mean she’s unloving.
LEAR LEAR
Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent, if you want to stay alive, stop talking.
KENT KENT
My life I never held but as a pawn I never considered my life as anything more than a
To wage against thy enemies, nor fear to lose it, chess pawn for you to play off against your
160 Thy safety being motive. enemies. I’m not afraid to lose it if it helps protect
you.
LEAR LEAR
Out of my sight! Get out of my sight!
KENT KENT
See better, Lear, and let me still remain Learn to see better, Lear, and let me stay here
The true blank of thine eye. where you can look to me for good advice.
LEAR LEAR
Now, by Apollo— Now, I swear by Apollo…
KENT KENT
Now, by Apollo, King, By Apollo, King, you’re taking the names of the
Thou swear’st thy gods in vain. gods in vain.
LEAR LEAR
165 O vassal! Miscreant! Oh, you lowlife! Scum!
ALBANY, CORNWALL ALBANY, CORNWALL

Dear sir, forbear! Please stop, sir.
KENT KENT
Do, kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Sure, kill the doctor who’s trying to cure you and
Upon thy foul disease. Revoke thy gift, pay your disease. Take back your gift to Albany
Or whilst I can vent clamor from my throat, and Cornwall. If you don’t, then as long as I’m able
I’ll tell thee thou dost evil. to speak I’ll keep telling you you’ve done a bad,
bad thing.
LEAR LEAR
170 Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me. Listen to me, you traitor. You’ll pay the price for
That thou hast sought to make us break our vows, trying to make me go back on the vow I made
Which we durst never yet, and with strained pride when I bequeathed my kingdom to them. I’ve
To come betwixt our sentence and our power, never broken a vow yet. You tried to make me
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, revise my judgment on my youngest daughter,
disrespecting my power as


Act Scene
175 Our potency made good, take thy reward: king—which I can’t put up with either as a ruler or
Five days we do allot thee for provision as a person. This is your punishment: I’ll give you
To shield thee from diseases of the world. five days to gather together what you need to
And on the sixth to turn thy hated back survive, then on the sixth day you’ll leave this
Upon our kingdom. If on the next day following kingdom that hates you. If the day after that you’re
180 Thy banished trunk be found in our dominions, found in my kingdom, you die. Now get out of here!
The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter, I swear by Jupiter I’ll never revoke this
This shall not be revoked. punishment.
KENT KENT
Why, fare thee well, King. Sith thus thou wilt appear, Farewell, King. If this is how you act, it’s clear that
Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. freedom has been banished from this kingdom.(to
185 (to CORDELIA) CORDELIA) I hope the gods will protect you, my
The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, dear girl, for thinking fairly and speaking correctly.
That justly think’st and hast most rightly said! (to REGAN and GONERIL) And you two, I hope
(to REGAN and GONERIL) your actions carry out your grand promises of love,
And your large speeches may your deeds approve, so that big words can bring big results. Farewell to
190 That good effects may spring from words of love.— all of you. I’ll carry on my old life in a new land.
Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu.
He’ll shape his old course in a country new.
Exit KENT KENT exits.
Flourish. Enter GLOUCESTER with the King of Trumpets play. GLOUCESTER enters with the
FRANCE, the Duke of BURGUNDY, and attendants King of FRANCE, the Duke of BURGUNDY, and
attendants.
Here’s France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Here are the rulers of France and Burgundy, my
lord.
LEAR LEAR
My lord of Burgundy. My lord the ruler of Burgundy, I’ll speak to you first.
195 We first address towards you, who with this king You’ve been competing with this king for my
Hath rivaled for our daughter. What in the least daughter. What’s the least that you will settle for as
Will you require in present dower with her a dowry?
Or cease your quest of love?


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Act Scene
BURGUNDY BURGUNDY
Most royal majesty, Your highness, I want nothing more than what
I crave no more than hath your highness offered. you’ve already offered. I know you’ll offer nothing
200 Nor will you tender less. less than that.
LEAR LEAR
Right noble Burgundy, Burgundy, I valued her highly when I cared about
When she was dear to us we did hold her so, her. But now her price has fallen. There she is,
But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands. over there. If there’s anything you like about that
If aught within that little seeming substance, worthless little thing, then go for it. She’s all yours.
Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced But what you see is what you get—her only dowry
205 And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, is my disapproval. There she is.
She’s there, and she is yours.
BURGUNDY BURGUNDY
I know no answer. I don’t know what to say.
LEAR LEAR
Sir, will you, with those infirmities she owes— She’s got big flaws. She has no friends or
Unfriended, new adopted to our hate, protectors. I no longer love her. Her only dowry is
Dowered with our curse and strangered with our oath— my curse and banishment. So do you take her or
210 Take her or leave her? leave her?
BURGUNDY BURGUNDY
Pardon me, royal sir. I’m sorry, sir, but nobody can make a choice like
Election makes not up in such conditions. this in such circumstances.
LEAR LEAR
Then leave her, sir, for by the power that made me, Then leave her, sir. I swear to God she’s not worth
I tell you all her wealth. anything more than what I told you. (to FRANCE)
(to FRANCE) For you, great King, And as for you, great King of France, I’d never
215 I would not from your love make such a stray insult our friendship by encouraging you to marry a
To match you where I hate. Therefore beseech you girl I hate. So I beg you to look around for a better
T' avert your liking a more worthier way match than this wretched creature that you can
Than on a wretch whom Nature is ashamed barely call human.
Almost t' acknowledge hers.
FRANCE FRANCE
This is most strange, This is very odd. Until very recently she was your
220 That she that even but now was your best object— favorite, the object of all your praise and the delight
The argument of your praise, balm of your age, of your old age. It’s strange that someone so dear
Most best, most dearest—should in this trice of time to you could do anything so horrible as to warrant
this sudden


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Act Scene
Scene 1, Page1,10Page 10 Next Section >
Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle hatred. Her crime must be extreme and
So many folds of favor. Sure, her offense monstrous, or else your earlier love for her wasn’t
225 Must be of such unnatural degree as true as it seemed. But it’d take a miracle to
That monsters it (or your fore-vouched affection make me believe she could do anything that
Fall into taint), which to believe of her horrible.
Must be a faith that reason without miracle
Could never plant in me.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
230 (to LEAR) I yet beseech your majesty, (to LEAR) Please, your majesty, I don’t have a glib
If for I want that glib and oily art way with words and I only say what I mean. If I
To speak and purpose not—since what I well intend, decide to do something, then I do it instead of
I’ll do ’t before I speak—that you make known talking about it. So I beg your majesty to let people
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, know that it wasn’t because I did something
235 No unchaste action or dishonored step atrocious
That hath deprived me of your grace and favor, that I fell from your favor. I didn’t murder or commit
But even for want of that for which I am richer: any immoral or lustful act. I’m out of favor simply
A still-soliciting eye and such a tongue because I’m not a fortune-hunter and I don’t have
As I am glad I have not, though not to have it a smooth way with words—and I’m a better person
240 Hath lost me in your liking. because of it, even though it has cost me your
love.
LEAR LEAR
Go to, go to. Better thou Enough. It would’ve been better for you not to have
Hadst not been born than not t' have pleased me better. been born at all than to displease me as you did.
FRANCE FRANCE
Is it no more but this—a tardiness in nature You mean this is the whole problem, that she is
Which often leaves the history unspoke shy and hasn’t said everything she means to say
That it intends to do?—My lord of Burgundy, and do?—My lord of Burgundy, what do you have
245 What say you to the lady? Love’s not love to say to this lady? Love’s not love when it gets
When it is mingled with regards that stands mixed up with irrelevant outside matters. Will you
Aloof from th' entire point. Will you have her? marry her? She herself is as valuable as any
She is herself a dowry. dowry could ever be.
BURGUNDY BURGUNDY
(to LEAR) Royal King, (to LEAR) King, just give me the dowry you
250 Give but that portion which yourself proposed, promised me, and I’ll make Cordelia the Duchess
And here I take Cordelia by the hand, of Burgundy right away.
Duchess of Burgundy.


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Act Scene
LEAR LEAR
Nothing. I have sworn. I am firm. No, I’ll give nothing. I won’t budge on that.
BURGUNDY BURGUNDY
(to CORDELIA) I am sorry then. You have so lost a (to CORDELIA) In that case, I’m sorry you have to
255 father lose me as a husband because you lost the king
That you must lose a husband. as a father.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Peace be with Burgundy. Peace to you, my lord of Burgundy. Since you love
Since that respects and fortunes are his love, money and power so much, I won’t be your wife.
I shall not be his wife.
FRANCE FRANCE
Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poor, Beautiful Cordelia, you’re all the richer now that
260 Most choice forsaken, and most loved despised! you’re poor. You’re more valuable now that you’re
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon, rejected and more loved now that you’re hated.
Be it lawful I take up what’s cast away. I’ll take you and your wonderful virtues here and
Gods, gods! 'Tis strange that from their cold’st neglect now, if it’s okay that I’m picking up what others
My love should kindle to inflamed respect.— have thrown away. It’s so strange that in
265 Thy dowerless daughter, King, thrown to my chance, neglecting you so cruelly, the gods have made me
Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France. love you so dearly.—King, the daughter you’ve
Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy rejected is now mine, as Queen of France. No
Can buy this unprized precious maid of me.— Duke of spineless Burgundy can take this treasure
Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind. of a girl from me now.—Say goodbye to them,
270 Thou losest here, a better where to find. Cordelia, even though they’ve been unkind to you.
You’ll find a much better place in France than what
you’re giving up here.
LEAR LEAR
Thou hast her, France. Let her be thine, for we She’s yours, King of France. Take her. She’s no
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see longer my daughter, and I’ll never see her face
That face of hers again. (to CORDELIA) Therefore be again. (to CORDELIA) So get out of here. Leave
gone without any blessing or love from me.—Come with
275 Without our grace, our love, our benison.— me, Burgundy.
Come, noble Burgundy.
Flourish Trumpets play.
Exeunt all but FRANCE, GONERIL, REGAN, and Everyone exits except FRANCE, GONERIL,
CORDELIA REGAN, and CORDELIA.
FRANCE FRANCE
Bid farewell to your sisters. Say goodbye to your sisters.



Act Scene
CORDELIA CORDELIA
The jewels of our father, with washed eyes Sisters, you whom our father loves so dearly, I
Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are, leave you now with tears in my eyes. I know you
And like a sister am most loath to call for what you really are, but as your sister I’m
280 Your faults as they are named. Love well our father. reluctant to criticize you. Take good care of our
To your professèd bosoms I commit him. father and show him the love that you have
But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, professed. I leave him in your care—but oh, if only
I would prefer him to a better place. I were still in his favor I could arrange for better
So farewell to you both. care for him. Goodbye to you both.
REGAN REGAN
285 Prescribe not us our duty. Don’t tell us what our duty is.
GONERIL GONERIL
Let your study You should focus instead on pleasing your
Be to content your lord, who hath received you husband, who’s taken you in as an act of charity.
At fortune’s alms. You have obedience scanted, You’ve failed to obey your father and you deserve
And well are worth the want that you have wanted. to be deprived of everything that’s been taken
away from you.
CORDELIA CORDELIA
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides, Time will tell what you’ve got up your sleeve. You
290 Who covers faults at last with shame derides. can be deceitful in the short term, but eventually
Well may you prosper. truth will come out. Have a good life.
FRANCE FRANCE
Come, my fair Cordelia. Come with me, my dear Cordelia.
Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA FRANCE and CORDELIA exit.
GONERIL GONERIL
Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what most nearly Sister, I have a lot to say about things that concern
appertains to us both. I think our father will hence us both. I think that our father will leave here
tonight. tonight.
REGAN REGAN
295 That’s most certain, and with you. Next month with us. Yes, I’m sure he will—to stay with you. Next month
he’ll stay with us.
GONERIL GONERIL
You see how full of changes his age is. The observation He’s so flighty in his old age, as we keep noticing.
we have made of it hath not been little. He always loved He has always loved Cordelia best, and his bad
our sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath judgment in disowning her now is obvious.
now cast her off appears too grossly.


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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 12 Act 1, Scene 2
REGAN REGAN
300 'Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever but He’s going senile. But then again he’s never really
slenderly known himself. understood his own feelings very well.
GONERIL GONERIL
The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash. Yes, he was hotheaded even in the prime of his
Then must we look from his age to receive not alone life. Now that he’s old, we can expect to have to
the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but deal not only with his old character flaws, which
therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and have turned into deep-rooted habits, but also with
choleric years bring with them. the uncontrollable crabbiness that comes with old
age.
REGAN REGAN
Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as We’ll probably witness many more outbursts from
this of Kent’s banishment. him, like banishing Kent.
GONERIL GONERIL
There is further compliment of leave-taking between There’s still the King of France’s farewell
France and him. Pray you, let’s sit together. If our father ceremony. Let’s put our heads together. If our
carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this father continues to use his authority as usual, then
last surrender of his will but offend us. his recent abdication of the kingdom will just hurt
us.
REGAN REGAN
We shall further think on ’t. We’ll have to think about it carefully.
GONERIL GONERIL
We must do something, and i' th' heat. We have to strike while the iron’s hot.
Exeunt They exit.


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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 2
Enter EDMUND the bastard, with a letter EDMUND enters with a letter.
EDMUND EDMUND
Thou, nature, art my goddess. To thy law I only worship what’s natural, not what’s manmade.
My services are bound. Wherefore should I Why should I let myself be tortured by manmade
Stand in the plague of custom and permit social customs that deprive me of my rights simply
The curiosity of nations to deprive me because I was born twelve or fourteen months later
5 For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines than my older brother? Why do they call me
Lag of a brother? Why “bastard”? Wherefore “base”? “bastard” and “lowlife” when I’m just as gifted in
When my dimensions are as well compact, mind and body as legitimate children? Why do they
My mind as generous, and my shape as true call us bastards “lowlifes”? Always “lowlife,”
As honest madam’s issue? Why brand they us “bastard,” “lowlife,” “lowlife.” At least we bastards
10 With “base,” with “baseness,” “bastardy,” “base,” were conceived in a moment of passionate lust
“base”— rather than in a dull, tired marriage bed, where half-
Who in the lusty stealth of nature take sleeping parents monotonously churn out a bunch
More composition and fierce quality of sissy kids. All right then, legitimate brother
Than doth within a dull, stale, tirèd bed Edgar, I have to have your lands. Our father loves
15 Go to th' creating a whole tribe of fops me just as much as the legitimate Edgar. What a
Got ’tween a sleep and wake? Well then, nice word that is, “legitimate”! Well, my legitimate
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land. Edgar, if this letter works and my plan succeeds,
Our father’s love is to the bastard Edmund Edmund the lowlife will beat the legitimate. Look
As to the legitimate.—Fine word, “legitimate”!— out, I’m on my way up. Three cheers for bastards!
20 Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
Shall top th' legitimate. I grow, I prosper.
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!
Enter GLOUCESTER EDMUND looks over his letter GLOUCESTER enters. EDMUND looks over his
letter.
Kent banished thus? And France in choler parted? Kent’s been banished just like that? And the King
And the king gone tonight, prescribed his power of France gone in a huff? And King Lear’s
25 Confined to exhibition? All this done abdicated his authority, making his kingship a
Upon the gad?—Edmund, how now? What news? ceremonial title only? All this so suddenly?—
Edmund, what’s going on? What’s the news?


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Act Scene
EDMUND EDMUND
(pocketing the letter) So please your lordship, none. (pocketing the letter) No news, my lord.
Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? Why are you hiding that letter?
EDMUND EDMUND
I know no news, my lord. I don’t have any news to report, my lord.
30 What paper were you reading? What’s that paper you were reading?
EDMUND EDMUND
Nothing, my lord. It’s nothing, my lord.
No? What needed, then, that terrible dispatch of it into No? Then why did you have to stick it in your
your pocket? The quality of nothing hath not such need pocket in such a hurry? If it were nothing, you
to hide itself. Let’s see.—Come, if it be nothing, I shall wouldn’t need to hide it. Let’s see it. Come on, if it’s
not need spectacles. nothing, I won’t need glasses to read it.
EDMUND EDMUND
I beseech you, sir, pardon me. It is a letter from my Please, sir, I beg you. It’s a letter from my brother
brother that I have not all o'er-read. And for so much as that I haven’t finished reading yet. But judging from
I have perused, I find it not fit for your o'erlooking. the bit I have read, it’s not fit for you to see.
Give me the letter, sir. Give me that letter, sir.
EDMUND EDMUND
40 I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents, as Now I’ll offend you whether I give it to you or not.
in part I understand them, are to blame. The problem is in what the letter says, as far as I
can tell.
(taking the letter) Let’s see, let’s see. (taking the letter) Let’s see, let’s see.
EDMUND EDMUND
I hope, for my brother’s justification, he wrote this but as I hope for my brother’s sake that he just wrote it to
an essay or taste of my virtue. test my honor.
45 (reads) “This policy and reverence of age makes the (reads)
world bitter to the best of our times, keeps our fortunes “The custom of respecting the elderly makes it hard
from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find for the young and healthy to live well, and keeps us
an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged without our inheritance until we are so old we can’t
tyranny, who sways not as it hath power but as it is enjoy our happiness anyway. The power of the
suffered. elderly is starting to feel like a silly and foolish
slavery to me, and they only enjoy that power
because we let them have it.


Act Scene
Come to me, that of this I may speak more. If our father Come talk to me about this. If our father were dead
would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his you’d receive half of his revenue forever, and you’d
revenue forever, and live the beloved of your brother, have my undying love,
Edgar.” Edgar.”
Hum, conspiracy? “'Sleep till I wake him, you should Hmm, what’s this, a conspiracy? “If our father were
enjoy half his revenue”—my son Edgar? Had he a hand dead, you’d receive half of his revenue forever”—
to write this, a heart and brain to breed it in? When my son Edgar? How did he bring himself to write
came this to you? Who brought it? such a thing? How could he have even entertained
these thoughts in his heart? How did you get this
letter? Who delivered it?
EDMUND EDMUND
It was not brought me, my lord. There’s the cunning of it. Nobody delivered it, my lord. That’s what’s clever
60 I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. about it. It was tossed into the window of my room.
You know the character to be your brother’s? You’re sure the handwriting is your brother’s?
EDMUND EDMUND
If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were If he’d written nice things, I’d swear yes right away.
his. But as it stands, I wish I could believe it wasn’t.
But in respect of that, I would fain think it were not.
It is his. But it is his handwriting?
EDMUND EDMUND
65 It is his hand, my lord, but I hope his heart is not in the It’s his handwriting, my lord, but I hope he didn’t
contents. mean what he wrote.
Has he never before sounded you in this business? Has he ever tested out these ideas on you before?
EDMUND EDMUND
Never, my lord. But I have heard him oft maintain it to be Never, my lord. But I’ve often heard him argue that
fit that, sons at perfect age and fathers declined, the when sons are at their prime and their fathers are
father should be as ward to the son, and the son declining, the sons should be their fathers'
manage his revenue. guardians and manage their fathers' money.
O villain, villain! His very opinion in the letter! Abhorred Oh, what a villain! That’s just what he said in the
villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain—worse than letter. Evil villain! Monstrous, hateful, bestial villain!
Worse


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Act Scene
brutish! Go, sirrah, seek him. I’ll apprehend him. than a beast! Go look for him. I’ll arrest him. Horrid
Abominable villain! Where is he? villain! Where is he?
EDMUND EDMUND
I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to I’m not sure, my lord. But it may be a good idea to
suspend your indignation against my brother till you can restrain your rage until you find out exactly what he
derive from him better testimony of his intent, you shall meant. If you go after him and then find out that
run a certain course—where if you violently proceed you made a mistake, it would damage your
against him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a reputation and greatly undermine his loyalty to you.
great gap in your own honor and shake in pieces the I’ll bet my life that he only wrote this letter to gauge
heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him my love for you, and for no other reason.
that he hath wrote this to feel my affection to your honor
and to no other pretense of danger.
85 Think you so? Do you think so?
EDMUND EDMUND
If your honor judge it meet, I will place you where you If you agree, I’ll hide you somewhere where you
shall hear us confer of this and by an auricular can eavesdrop on us talking about it, and hear how
assurance have your satisfaction—and that without any he feels with your own ears. You won’t have to wait
further delay than this very evening. longer than until tonight.
90 He cannot be such a monster— He can’t possibly be such a monster—
EDMUND EDMUND
Nor is not, sure. And I’m sure he isn’t.
To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. —toward his own father who loves him so
Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him out, wind me into completely. Oh, God! Edmund, go find him. Gain
him, I pray you. Frame the business after your own his confidence for me, please. Manage him
wisdom. I would unstate myself to be in a due resolution. however you think best. I’d give up my rank and
fortune to be free from my doubts.
EDMUND EDMUND
I will seek him, sir, presently, convey the business as I I’ll find him right away, sir, and carry out the
shall find means, and acquaint you withal. business as well as I can. Then I’ll let you know
what’s happening.
These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no These recent eclipses of the sun and moon don’t
good to us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it bode well for us. Though science can explain them
thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the away, disasters still come after eclipses. Love
sequent effects. Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers cools off, friendships break up, and brothers
divide, in cities become enemies. Riots



Act Scene
mutinies, in countries discord, in palaces treason, and break out, civil war erupts, kings are betrayed, and
the bond cracked ’twixt son and father. This villain of the bond between father and son snaps. This
mine comes under the prediction—there’s son against wicked son of mine confirms the prediction —son
father. The king falls from bias of nature—there’s father against father. The king acts unnaturally—father
against child. We have seen the best of our time. against child. We’ve seen the best our age has to
Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous offer. Conspiracies, fakery, betrayal, and disorder
disorders follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out this are all that’s left until we die. Find out what this
villain, Edmund. It shall lose thee nothing. Do it carefully. villainous Edgar is thinking, Edmund. You won’t
—And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished, his lose any respect. Just do it carefully.—And to think
offense honesty! 'Tis strange, strange. that the noble and loyal Kent has been banished,
for the crime of telling the truth! It’s strange,
strange.
Exit GLOUCESTER GLOUCESTER exits.
EDMUND EDMUND
This is the excellent foppery of the world that when we This is a classic example of the idiocy of the world:
are sick in fortune—often the surfeit of our own behavior when we’re down and out—often because of our
—we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, own excesses —we put all the blame on the sun,
and the stars, as if we were villains by necessity, fools the moon, and the stars, as if they forced us to be
by heavenly compulsion, knaves, thieves, and treachers bad, or the heavens compelled us to be villainous
by spherical predominance, drunkards, liars, and or stupid. As if we become thieves and traitors
adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary according to astrological signs or obey planetary
influence, and all that we are evil in by a divine influences to become drunks, liars, and adulterers!
thrusting-on. An admirable evasion of whoremaster man, As if some universal power pushed us into evil
to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! My deeds! What a sneaky trick it is for lustful mankind
father compounded with my mother under the dragon’s to blame our horniness on some star! My father
tail and my nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it and mother coupled when the demonic moon was
follows I am rough and lecherous. Fut, I should have descending, and I was born under the Big Dipper,
been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament so it’s inevitable that I’m rude and oversexed.
twinkled on my bastardizing. Edgar— Christ! I would have been what I am even if the
most virginal star in the heavens had twinkled at
my conception. Edgar—
Enter EDGAR EDGAR enters.
and pat on ’s cue he comes like the catastrophe of the and, speak of the devil, here he comes, right on
old comedy. My cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh cue. I’ve got to play the role and sigh like a poor
like Tom o' Bedlam. Oh, these eclipses do portend these beggar.—Oh, these eclipses predict such disorder.
divisions! Fa, sol, la, mi. Fa, sol, la, mi.


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Act Scene
EDGAR EDGAR
130 How now, brother Edmund? What serious Hello, brother Edmund. What are you thinking
contemplation are you in? about so seriously?
EDMUND EDMUND
I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other I was thinking about what an astrologer predicted
day, what should follow these eclipses. the other day. He wrote about what these eclipses
mean.
EDGAR EDGAR
Do you busy yourself about that? Are you spending your valuable time on that?
EDMUND EDMUND
135 I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed Oh, I assure you the things he writes about are
unhappily — as of unnaturalness between the child and wretched —things like divisions between parents
the parent, death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient and children, death, famine, broken friendships,
amities, divisions in state, menaces and maledictions political rebellion, treason against the king and
against king and nobles, needless diffidences, noblemen, exiled friends, dissolved armies,
banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial adultery, and I don’t know what else.
breaches, and I know not what.
EDGAR EDGAR
How long have you been a sectary astronomical? How long have you believed in astrology?
EDMUND EDMUND
Come, come. When saw you my father last? Come on. When was the last time you saw my
father?
EDGAR EDGAR
Why, the night gone by. Why, last night.
EDMUND EDMUND
Spake you with him? Did you speak to him?
EDGAR EDGAR
145 Ay, two hours together. Yes, we talked for a couple of hours.
EDMUND EDMUND
Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in Did you leave on good terms? Did he express any
him by word or countenance? dissatisfaction with you, either in his words or his
face?
EDGAR EDGAR
None at all. No, none at all.
EDMUND EDMUND
Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him. Try to remember how you might have offended
And at my entreaty forbear his presence till some little him, and try to avoid spending time with him until
time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which at his anger has cooled a little. Right now he’s so
this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of angry that even if he harmed you physically, he’d
your person it would scarcely allay. still be raging.


Act Scene
EDGAR EDGAR
Some villain hath done me wrong. Some villain has told lies about me.
EDMUND EDMUND
155 That’s my fear. I pray you, have a continent forbearance That’s what I’m afraid of. I suggest you lay low
till the speed of his rage goes slower. And as I say, until his rage cools a little. In the meantime, come
retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly home with me, and when the time is right I’ll take
bring you to hear my lord speak. Pray ye, go. There’s you to talk to him. Please go. Here’s my key. If you
my key. If you do stir abroad, go armed. go outside, arm yourself.
EDGAR EDGAR
160 Armed, brother? Arm myself?
EDMUND EDMUND
Brother, I advise you to the best. Go armed. I am no Brother, I’m giving you good advice. Arm yourself.
honest man if there be any good meaning towards you. I’d be a liar if I told you nobody wanted to hurt you.
I have told you what I have seen and heard—but faintly, I’ve told you what I’ve seen and heard, but I’ve
nothing like the image and horror of it. Pray you, away. toned it down a lot. I’ve spared you you the full
extent of the horror that threatens you. Now please
go.
EDGAR EDGAR
165 Shall I hear from you anon? Will I hear from you soon?
EDMUND EDMUND
I do serve you in this business. I’ll help you through this business.
Exit EDGAR EDGAR exits.
A credulous father, and a brother noble— A gullible father and a brother who’s so innocent
Whose nature is so far from doing harms that he can’t suspect anyone else of wanting to
That he suspects none, on whose foolish honesty hurt him—these are the two fools I need for my
170 My practices ride easy. I see the business. plan to work. I know exactly how to proceed. If I
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit. can’t have an estate by birthright, then I’ll get it by
All with me’s meet that I can fashion fit. being clever. Any trick that works is good for me.
Exit He exits.


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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 3
Enter GONERIL and her steward OSWALD GONERIL enters with her steward, OSWALD.
GONERIL GONERIL
Did my father strike my gentleman Did my father hit one of my attendants for scolding
For chiding of his fool? his fool?
OSWALD OSWALD
Ay, madam. Yes, ma'am.
GONERIL GONERIL
By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour He constantly offends me. Every hour he comes
He flashes into one gross crime or other out with some horrible new offense that puts us all
5 That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it. on edge. I won’t stand for it. His knights are getting
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us out of control, and he himself reprimands us about
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, every little detail. When he comes back from
I will not speak with him. Say I am sick. hunting, I’m not going to speak to him. Tell him I’m
If you come slack of former services, sick. And if you’re not as attentive in serving him as
10 You shall do well. The fault of it I’ll answer. you used to be, that’ll be good. I’ll take
responsibility for it.
OSWALD OSWALD
He’s coming, madam. I hear him. He’s coming, ma'am. I hear him.
Hunting horns within Hunting horns play offstage.
GONERIL GONERIL
Put on what weary negligence you please, Be as lazy and neglectful as you like around him—
You and your fellow servants. I’ll have it come to you and the other servants. I want it to become an
question. issue. If he doesn’t like it, he can go live with my
15 If he distaste it, let him to our sister, sister. I know she feels the same way about him
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one, that I do, and she’ll stand her ground. That useless
Not to be overruled. Idle old man old man still thinks he can wield all the powers he’s
That still would manage those authorities given away. I swear, old fools become like babies
That he hath given away! Now by my life, again. You can’t just flatter them; you also have to
20 Old fools are babes again and must be used discipline them when you see that they’re
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused. misguided. Remember what I’ve told you.
Remember what I have said.
OSWALD OSWALD
Very well, madam. Very well, ma'am.


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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4
GONERIL GONERIL
And let his knights have colder looks among you. And make sure the servants are less friendly to his
What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so. knights. Don’t worry about the consequences. Tell
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, your men as much. I want this to provoke
25 That I may speak. I’ll write straight to my sister confrontations, so I can give him a piece of my
To hold my very course. Go, prepare for dinner. mind. I’ll write to my sister and tell her my plans.
Now go, set up for dinner.
Exeunt severally They exit in opposite directions.

Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4

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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 4
Enter KENT disguised KENT enters in disguise.
KENT KENT
If but as well I other accents borrow, If I can disguise my voice as well as my
That can my speech diffuse, my good intent appearance, then I’ll be able to carry out my plan
May carry through itself to that full issue perfectly. I was banished, but hopefully I can serve
For which I razed my likeness. Now, banished Kent, the very king who condemned me. I love my
5 If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned, master, and he’ll find me very hard-working.
So may it come thy master, whom thou lovest,
Shall find thee full of labors.
Horns within Enter LEAR with attendant knights Trumpets play offstage. LEAR enters with his
attendant knights.
LEAR LEAR
Let me not stay a jot for dinner. Go get it ready. Don’t make me wait for dinner even a moment. Get
it ready immediately.
Exit attendant An attendant exits.
(to KENT) How now, what art thou? (to KENT) Well now, who are you?
KENT KENT
10 A man, sir. A man, sir.
LEAR LEAR
What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? What’s your profession? What do you want from
me?
KENT KENT
I do profess to be no less than I seem—to serve him I profess that I’m as good as I seem—I’ll faithfully
truly that will put me in trust, to love him that is honest, serve a master who trusts me, love those who are
to converse with him that is wise and says little, to fear honest, talk with those who are wise and don’t talk
judgment, to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no too much. I’m God-fearing, I fight if I must, and I
fish. don’t eat fish.
LEAR LEAR
What art thou? But who are you?
KENT KENT
A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. An honest guy who’s as poor as the king.
LEAR LEAR
If thou beest as poor for a subject as he’s for a king, If you’re as poor a subject as he is a king, you
thou'rt poor enough. What wouldst thou? definitely are poor. What do you want?


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Act Scene
KENT KENT
20 Service. To work as a servant.
LEAR LEAR
Who wouldst thou serve? Who do you want to work for?
KENT KENT
You. You.
LEAR LEAR
Dost thou know me, fellow? Do you know me?
KENT KENT
No, sir. But you have that in your countenance which I No, sir, but there’s something about your face that
would fain call master. makes me want to serve you.
LEAR LEAR
What’s that? What do you see in my face?
KENT KENT
Authority. Authority.
LEAR LEAR
What services canst thou do? What work can you do?
KENT KENT
I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale I can be discreet in honorable matters, ride a
in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly. That horse, run, tell a good story badly, and deliver a
which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in. And the plain message bluntly. I’m good at everything that
best of me is diligence. ordinary men can do. The best thing about me is
that I’m hardworking.
LEAR LEAR
How old art thou? How old are you?
KENT KENT
Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so Not young enough to fall in love with a woman
old to dote on her for anything. I have years on my back because she sings well, but not old enough to dote
forty- eight. on a woman for any reason. I’m forty-eight.
LEAR LEAR
Follow me. Thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse Follow me. You’ll work for me. If I still like you after
after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.—Dinner, ho, dinner, I won’t send you away yet.—Hey,
dinner! Where’s my knave, my fool?—Go you, and call dinnertime! Dinner! Where’s my fool?—Go call my
my fool hither. fool and have him come here.
Enter OSWALD the steward OSWALD enters.



Act Scene
You, you, sirrah, where’s my daughter? You, sir, where’s my daughter?
OSWALD OSWALD
So please you— I beg your pardon, sir—
Exit OSWALD OSWALD exits.
LEAR LEAR
What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. What did that guy say? Call the numbskull back in
here.
Exit FIRST KNIGHT The FIRST KNIGHT exits.
Where’s my fool, ho? I think the world’s asleep. Where’s my fool? You’d think everyone was asleep.
Enter FIRST KNIGHT The FIRST KNIGHT enters again.
45 How now? Where’s that mongrel? So what’s going on? Where’s that dog?
FIRST KNIGHT FIRST KNIGHT

He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. He says your daughter’s not feeling well, my lord.
LEAR LEAR
Why came not the slave back to me when I called him. Why didn’t the jerk come back to me when I called
him?

Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner he would Sir, he told me quite bluntly that he didn’t feel like it.
not.
LEAR LEAR
He would not? Didn’t feel like it?

50 My lord, I know not what the matter is, but to my My lord, I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems
judgment your highness is not entertained with that to me that your highness isn’t being treated as
ceremonious affection as you were wont. There’s a great politely as before. The servants, the duke, and your
abatement of kindness appears as well in the general daughter all seem to be treating you less kindly.
dependants as in the duke himself also, and your
daughter.
LEAR LEAR
55 Ha! Sayest thou so? Huh! Do you really mean that?

I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken—for Please forgive me if I’m mistaken, my lord—but I
my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness can’t keep quiet when I think you’re being insulted.
wronged.



Act Scene
LEAR LEAR
Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception. I No, you’re just reminding me of something I’ve also
have perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have noticed. I’ve felt neglected recently, but I decided
rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a that it was more likely that I was being
very pretense and purpose of unkindness. I will look hypersensitive than that they were intentionally
further into ’t. But where’s my fool? I have not seen him unkind. I’ll look into it further. But where’s my fool? I
this two days. haven’t seen him for two days.

Since my young lady’s going into France, sir, the fool Ever since Cordelia left for France, sir, the fool has
hath much pined away. been depressed.
LEAR LEAR
No more of that. I have noted it well. Go you and tell my Let’s not talk about it. I’ve noticed it myself. Go and
daughter I would speak with her. tell my daughter I want to speak with her.
Exit an attendant An attendant exits.
Go you, call hither my fool. And you, go call my fool.
Exit another attendant Another attendant exits.
Enter OSWALD OSWALD enters.
O you sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir? You there, sir, come here please. Who am I, sir?
OSWALD OSWALD
My lady’s father. The father of the lady of the house, sir.
LEAR LEAR
“My lady’s father”? My lord’s knave, your whoreson dog! “The father of the lady of the house”? You
70 You slave, you cur! scoundrel! You lowlife son-of-a-bitch! You dog, you
peasant!
OSWALD OSWALD
I am none of these, my lord. I beseech your pardon. I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not any of those things.
LEAR LEAR
Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? Are you making faces at me, you scoundrel? (he
(he strikes OSWALD) hits OSWALD)
OSWALD OSWALD
I’ll not be strucken, my lord. I won’t be hit, my lord.
KENT KENT
75 (tripping OSWALD) (tripping OSWALD) Or tripped, you lowlife football
Nor tripped neither, you base football player. player?



Act Scene
LEAR LEAR
Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception. I No, you’re just reminding me of something I’ve also
have perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have noticed. I’ve felt neglected recently, but I decided
rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a that it was more likely that I was being
very pretense and purpose of unkindness. I will look hypersensitive than that they were intentionally
further into ’t. But where’s my fool? I have not seen him unkind. I’ll look into it further. But where’s my fool? I
this two days. haven’t seen him for two days.

Since my young lady’s going into France, sir, the fool Ever since Cordelia left for France, sir, the fool has
hath much pined away. been depressed.
LEAR LEAR
No more of that. I have noted it well. Go you and tell my Let’s not talk about it. I’ve noticed it myself. Go and
daughter I would speak with her. tell my daughter I want to speak with her.
Exit an attendant An attendant exits.
Go you, call hither my fool. And you, go call my fool.
Exit another attendant Another attendant exits.
Enter OSWALD OSWALD enters.
O you sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir? You there, sir, come here please. Who am I, sir?
OSWALD OSWALD
My lady’s father. The father of the lady of the house, sir.
LEAR LEAR
“My lady’s father”? My lord’s knave, your whoreson dog! “The father of the lady of the house”? You
70 You slave, you cur! scoundrel! You lowlife son-of-a-bitch! You dog, you
peasant!
OSWALD OSWALD
I am none of these, my lord. I beseech your pardon. I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not any of those things.
LEAR LEAR
Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? Are you making faces at me, you scoundrel? (he
(he strikes OSWALD) hits OSWALD)
OSWALD OSWALD
I’ll not be strucken, my lord. I won’t be hit, my lord.
KENT KENT
75 (tripping OSWALD) (tripping OSWALD) Or tripped, you lowlife football
Nor tripped neither, you base football player. player?



Act Scene
LEAR LEAR
(to KENT) I thank thee, fellow. Thou servest me, and I’ll (to KENT) Thank you, sir. You serve me well, and
love thee. I’ll love you for it.
KENT KENT
(to OSWALD) Come, sir, arise, away! I’ll teach you (to OSWALD) Come on, sir, get up and get out of
differences. Away, away. If you will measure your here! I’ll teach you to respect your betters. If you
lubber’s length again, tarry. But away, go to. Have you want me to trip you again, then stick around. If not,
wisdom? So. get going. Go on. Do you know what’s good for
you? There you go.
LEAR LEAR
Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee. Now, my friendly servant, thank you.
Enter FOOL The FOOL enters.
(gives KENT money) There’s earnest of thy service. (giving KENT money) Here’s a token of my
gratitude.
FOOL FOOL
Let me hire him too.—Here’s my coxcomb. Wait, let me hire him too.—Here’s my fool’s cap, a
(offers KENT his cap) token of my gratitude. (he offers KENT his cap)
LEAR LEAR
85 How now, my pretty knave? How dost thou? Well hello, my good boy. How are you doing?
FOOL FOOL
(to KENT) Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. (to KENT) Guy, you’d better take my cap.
LEAR LEAR
Why, Fool? Why, Fool?
FOOL FOOL
Why? For taking one’s part that’s out of favor. Nay, an Why? For standing up for this unpopular king. No, if
thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold you can’t adjust to political changes, you’ll suffer
shortly. There, take my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has for it. There, take my fool’s cap. This guy here has
banished two on ’s daughters, and did the third a banished two of his daughters and blessed the third
blessing against his will. If thou follow him, thou must one without intending to. If you work for him, you’re
needs wear my coxcomb.—How now, nuncle? Would I a fool and should wear a fool’s cap.—So how’s it
had two coxcombs and two daughters. going, uncle? I wish I had two fool’s caps and two
daughters.


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Act Scene
LEAR LEAR
95 Why, my boy? Why, my boy?
FOOL FOOL
If I gave them all my living, I’d keep my coxcombs If I gave them all I own, I’d have two fool’s caps for
myself. myself. Here’s mine. Ask your daughters for
There’s mine. Beg another of thy daughters. another one.
LEAR LEAR
Take heed, sirrah—the whip. Watch out, boy—remember I can whip you.
FOOL FOOL
Truth’s a dog that must to kennel. He must be whipped I get whipped like a dog for telling the truth, while
out, when Lady Brach may stand by th' fire and stink. Lady Bitch gets to stand around the fire and stink
the place up with her false words.
LEAR LEAR
A pestilent gall to me! A constant pain to me!
FOOL FOOL
Sirrah, I’ll teach thee a speech. I’ll recite something for you, guy.
LEAR LEAR
Do. Yes, do that.
FOOL FOOL
Mark it, nuncle. Listen up, uncle.
105 Have more than thou showest, Have more than you show,
Speak less than thou knowest, Speak less than you know,
Lend less than thou owest, Lend less than you owe.
Ride more than thou goest, Ride more than you walk,
Learn more than thou trowest, Don’t believe everything you hear,
110 Set less than thou throwest, Don’t bet everything on one throw of the dice,
Leave thy drink and thy whore Leave behind your booze and your whore,
And keep in-a-door, And stay indoors,
And thou shalt have more And you’ll end up with more
Than two tens to a score. Than two tens to a twenty.
KENT KENT
115 This is nothing, Fool. That makes no sense, Fool. It’s nothing.
FOOL FOOL
Then ’tis like the breath of an unfee’d lawyer. You gave In that case it’s like the words of an unpaid lawyer.
me nothing for ’t.—Can you make no use of nothing, You paid me nothing for it. Can’t you make any
nuncle? use of nothing, uncle?

< Previous Section Act

Act 1, 1, Scene
LEAR LEAR
Why no, boy. Nothing can be made out of nothing. Why, no, boy. Nothing can be made out of nothing.
FOOL FOOL
(to KENT) Prithee, tell him so much the rent of his land (to KENT) Please tell him that his income is
comes to. He will not believe a fool. nothing, now that he’s given his lands away. He
won’t believe a fool.
LEAR LEAR
A bitter fool. You’re a bitter fool.
FOOL FOOL
Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter Do you know the difference, my boy, between a
fool and a sweet fool? bitter fool and a sweet one?
LEAR LEAR
No, lad. Teach me. No, son. Tell me.
FOOL FOOL
125 That lord that counseled thee Bring here
To give away thy land, The gentleman who advised you
Come place him here by me. To give away your land.
Do thou for him stand. You can stand in his place.
The sweet and bitter fool The sweet and bitter fool
130 Will presently appear— Will appear right away.
The one in motley here, The sweet fool in a fool’s costume—that’s me.
The other found out there. The bitter one is the other one—that’s you.LEAR
LEAR LEAR
Dost thou call me fool, boy? Are you calling me a fool, boy?
FOOL FOOL
All thy other titles thou hast given away that thou wast Well, you’ve given away all your other rightful
born with. titles. The title of “fool” is the only one left.
KENT Kent
This is not altogether fool, my lord. This isn’t entirely a joke, your highness.
FOOL FOOL
No, faith, lords and great men will not let me. If I had a No. I wish I could be a complete joker—but so
monopoly out, they would have part on ’t. And ladies many lords and important men are also playing
too— they will not let me have all fool to myself; they’ll fools that I can’t have a monopoly on it. Ladies too
be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I’ll give thee —they’re always snatching away my role as the
two crowns. biggest fool.—Uncle, give me an egg, and I’ll give
you two crowns.



Act 1, 1, Scene
LEAR LEAR
What two crowns shall they be? Which two crowns would those be?
FOOL FOOL
Why—after I have cut the egg i' th' middle and eat up Well, when I cut the egg in half and eat the whites,
the meat—the two crowns of the egg. When thou the yolk will be in two parts like two golden crowns.
clovest thy crown i' th' middle, and gavest away both When you cut your own crown and kingdom in half
parts, thou borest thy ass o' th' back o'er the dirt. Thou and gave away both parts, you were as foolish as
hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy the old man in the old story who carries his
golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him donkey on his back instead of letting the donkey
be whipped that first finds it so. carry him. You didn’t have much brains inside the
(sings) bald crown of your head when you gave away the
Fools had ne'er less wit in a year, gold crown of your kingdom. If I’m telling the truth
For wise men are grown foppish. like a fool in saying all this, whip the first person
They know not how their wits to wear, who thinks I sound foolish.
Their manners are so apish. (he sings)
Fools have had a hard time this year.
They’ve been displaced by wise men who’ve
grown foolish.
These men no longer know how to use their
brains,
And they don’t know how to behave except by
foolishly imitating others.
LEAR LEAR
155 When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? When did you become so fond of singing, boy?
FOOL FOOL
I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy I’ve been singing ever since you made your
daughters thy mothers. For when thou gavest them the daughters into your mothers by giving them all
rod, and put’st down thine own breeches, your power. That’s when you gave them the
(sings) spanking paddle and pulled your pants down,
Then they for sudden joy did weep (he sings)
And I for sorrow sung, Then your daughters wept for joy,
That such a king should play bo-peep And I sang in sadness,
And go the fools among. Seeing such a king become
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy A child and a fool.
fool to lie. I would fain learn to lie. Please, uncle, hire a teacher who can teach your
fool to lie. I want to learn how to lie.
LEAR LEAR
An you lie, sirrah, we’ll have you whipped. If you lie, boy, we’ll have you whipped.


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Act 1, 1, Scene
FOOL FOOL
I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are. They’ll I’m amazed how similar you and your daughters
have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me are. They want to whip me for telling the truth, you
whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for want to whip me for lying, and sometimes I’m even
holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than whipped for keeping quiet. I’d rather be anything
a fool. And yet I would not be thee, nuncle. Thou hast besides a fool. And yet I wouldn’t want to be you,
pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing i' th' middle. uncle. When you gave away pieces of your
Here comes one o' the parings. kingdom, it’s as if you cut off pieces on both sides
of your brain and left nothing in the middle. Here
comes the owner of one piece.
Enter GONERIL GONERIL enters.
LEAR LEAR
How now, daughter? What makes that frontlet on? What’s going on, daughter? Why are you frowning
175 Methinks you are too much of late i' th' frown. like that? I think you’ve been frowning too much
recently.
FOOL FOOL
(to LEAR) Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no (to LEAR) You were better off when you didn’t
need to care for her frowning. Now thou art an O have to care whether she frowned or not. Now
without a figure. I am better than thou art now. I am a you’re a big zero, with no digit in front of it to give it
fool. Thou art nothing. value. I’m better than you are—I’m a fool and
(to GONERIL) Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue. So you’re nothing.
your face bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum, (to GONERIL) Yes, I promise I’ll shut up. That’s
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, what you’re telling me with that expression on your
Weary of all, shall want some. face, even though you don’t say anything. Mum,
(indicates LEAR) That’s a shelled peascod. mum,
The man who gives away his crust and his crumbs
Will discover that he needs some crumbs back.
(pointing at LEAR) That guy is an empty pea pod.
GONERIL GONERIL
(to LEAR) Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, (to LEAR) It’s not just your fool here who can say
But other of your insolent retinue whatever he wants, but your whole obnoxious
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth entourage keeps whining and arguing, bursting out
In rank and not-to-be-endurèd riots. Sir, in intolerably vicious riots. Sir, I thought you could
190 I had thought by making this well known unto you put an end to all this if I told you about it. But
To have found a safe redress, but now grow fearful judging by what you’ve said and done recently, I’m
By what yourself too late have spoke and done worried that you don’t mind this chaos, and even
That you protect this course and put it on approve of it. If that’s true, it’s shameful. I realize
By your allowance—which if you should, the fault that restraining your knights
195 Would not ’scape censure, nor the redresses sleep
Which in the tender of a wholesome weal
Might in their working do you that offense,



Act 1, 1, Scene
Which else were shame, that then necessity will damage your reputation with them—and under
Will call discreet proceeding. ordinary circumstances it would be unfortunate to
have them see you as an ogre. However, this is an
extreme situation, and it’s more important to
control it than to worry about how you’ll look.
FOOL FOOL
200 For you know, nuncle, You know, uncle,
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, A sparrow once raised a cuckoo in its nest
That it’s had it head bit off by it young. Until the cuckoo grew up and bit the sparrow’s
So out went the candle and we were left darkling. head off.
So the candle went out and now we’re all in the
dark.
LEAR LEAR
Are you our daughter? Are you my daughter?
GONERIL GONERIL
205 Come, sir, Come on, sir. I know you’re very wise, and I wish
I would you would make use of that good wisdom you would use some of that wisdom to snap out of
Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away this mood you’ve been in lately and be your true
These dispositions that of late transform you self again.
From what you rightly are.
FOOL FOOL
210 May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? Even an idiot knows when the normal order has
Whoop, Jug! I love thee. been inverted and the cart is pulling the horse.
Whoo-hoo, honey, I love you!
LEAR LEAR
Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear. Does anyone here know who I am? I’m not Lear.
Doth Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes? Does Lear walk and talk like this? Where are his
Either his notion weakens, or his discernings eyes? Either his mind is losing its grip or his
215 Are lethargied. Ha, sleeping or waking? judgment is screwy.—Hey, am I awake? I don’t
Sure, ’tis not so. think so. Who can tell me who I am?
Who is it that can tell me who I am?
FOOL FOOL
Lear’s shadow. You’re Lear’s shadow.
LEAR LEAR
I would learn that. For by the marks I’d like to find out who I am, since the obvious
220 Of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, signs around me wrongly indicate that I’ve got
I should be false persuaded I had daughters. daughters.
FOOL FOOL
Which they will make an obedient father. Daughters who can make you obey them.
LEAR LEAR
(to GONERIL) Your name, fair gentlewoman? (to GONERIL) What’s your name, my dear lady?


Act 1, 1, Scene
GONERIL GONERIL
This admiration, sir, is much o' th' savor This fake astonishment of yours is just like your
225 Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you other pranks. I’m asking you to understand my
To understand my purposes aright. point of view. Since you’re old and respected, you
As you are old and reverend, should be wise. should be wise. But you’re keeping a hundred
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires, knights here who are so disorderly, vulgar, and
Men so disordered, so debauched and bold obnoxious that our noble court is starting to look
230 That this our court, infected with their manners, like a noisy cheap hotel. They’re such oversexed
Shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust gluttons that I feel like we’re living in a pub or a
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel whorehouse rather than a respectable palace. It’s
Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak shameful, and we have to make some changes
For instant remedy. Be then desired right away. Please, as a favor to me—and if you
235 By her that else will take the thing she begs, don’t do it for me, I’ll do it myself—reduce the
A little to disquantity your train, number of your knights a little. Keep the ones who
And the remainder that shall still depend are older, like you, and who act their age.
To be such men as may besort your age,
Which know themselves and you.
LEAR LEAR
240 Darkness and devils! Hell and damnation! Saddle up my horses. Call my
Saddle my horses. Call my train together.— knights together.
Degenerate bastard, I’ll not trouble thee. I won’t bother you any more, you monstrous
Yet have I left a daughter. bastard. You’re not really my daughter, but I still
have one daughter left.
GONERIL GONERIL
You strike my people, and your disordered rabble You hit my servants, and your disorderly mob of
245 Make servants of their betters. knights treat their superiors like servants.
Enter ALBANY ALBANY enters.
LEAR LEAR
Woe that too late repents!— You’ll be sorry later, but it’ll be too late. (to
(to ALBANY) O sir, are you come? ALBANY) Oh, sir, are you here now? You decided
Is it your will? Speak, sir.—Prepare my horses. to come? Answer me, sir. (to attendants) Get my
horses ready.


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Act 1, 1, Scene
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, Ingratitude is always hideous, but an ungrateful

250 More hideous when thou show’st thee in a child child is uglier than a sea monster!
Than the sea monster.
ALBANY ALBANY
Pray, sir, be patient. Please, sir, be patient.
LEAR LEAR
(to GONERIL) Detested kite, thou liest! (to GONERIL) You disgusting vulture, you’re a liar!
My train are men of choice and rarest parts My knights are the finest men who can attend a
255 That all particulars of duty know king, and they meticulously uphold their reputation.
And in the most exact regard support Oh, how ugly did Cordelia’s small flaw appear!
The worships of their name. O most small fault, And now Cordelia’s small flaw has bent me
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show, completely out of shape and sucked all the love
Which like an engine wrenched my frame of nature out of my heart. Oh, Lear, Lear, Lear! (he hits
260 From the fixed place, drew from heart all love, himself on the head) Let me beat this portal that let
And added to the gall! O Lear, Lear, Lear! my good sense out and my foolishness in!— Go,
(strikes his head) go, people.
Beat at this gate that let thy folly in
And thy dear judgment out!—Go, go, my people.
ALBANY ALBANY
265 My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant, My lord, I have no idea what’s upset you, but
Of what hath moved you. whatever it is, I had nothing to do with it.
LEAR LEAR
It may be so, my lord. That may be true, my lord. Ah, dear Nature, my
Hear, Nature, hear, dear goddess, hear! goddess, listen to me! Change your plans if you
Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend ever intended for this woman to have children.
270 To make this creature fruitful. Make her sterile and dry up her womb so that no
Into her womb convey sterility. baby will ever come out of her body and honor her.
Dry up in her the organs of increase, If she must give birth, make her child a bad seed
And from her derogate body never spring who will torment her, give her a forehead wrinkled
A babe to honor her. If she must teem, with worry, make her cry until her cheeks are
275 Create her child of spleen, that it may live sunken.
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth,
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks,


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Act 1, 1, Scene
Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits Let it be a wicked child who mocks the mother who
280 To laughter and contempt, that she may feel— cares for it. Make my daughter feel—make her feel
That she may feel how an ungrateful child hurts worse than a
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is snakebite.—Now let’s leave. Go!
To have a thankless child.—Away, away!
Exeunt LEAR, FOOL, KENT, FIRST KNIGHT and the LEAR, the FOOL, KENT, FIRST KNIGHT, and
other attendants attendant knights exit.
ALBANY ALBANY
Now gods that we adore, whereof comes this? Dear gods in heaven, what’s the reason for this?
GONERIL GONERIL
285 Never afflict yourself to know more of it, Don’t even bother to ask the reasons. Just let him
But let his disposition have that scope rant and rave. He’s senile.
That dotage gives it.
Enter LEAR and FOOL LEAR enters with the FOOL.
LEAR LEAR
What, fifty of my followers at a clap? What, fifty of my knights dismissed all at once? In
Within a fortnight? only two weeks?
ALBANY ALBANY
290 What’s the matter, sir? What are you talking about, sir?
LEAR LEAR
I’ll tell thee. I’ll tell you. (to GONERIL) I’m ashamed that you
(to GONERIL) Life and death! I am ashamed have the power to upset me like this, as though
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus, you’re worth the tears you’re making me shed.
That these hot tears which break from me perforce Damn you! May you feel every pain a father’s
295 Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon curse can bring! If I cry again because of you, I’ll
thee! rip my eyes out of their sockets and throw them
Th' untented woundings of a father’s curse and their wet tears down to moisten the earth. Has
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes, it come to this? Then so be it. I have one more
Beweep this cause again, I’ll pluck ye out daughter who I’m sure is kind. When


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Act 1, 1, Scene
And cast you, with the waters that you loose, she hears what you’ve done to me, she’ll tear up
300 To temper clay. Yea, is ’t come to this? your wolflike face with her fingernails. And then
Ha? Let it be so. I have another daughter, you’ll see that despite what you thought, I’ll be as
Who I am sure is kind and comfortable. powerful as I was before. You’ll see, I promise you.
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She’ll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find
305 That I’ll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever. Thou shalt, I warrant thee.
Exit LEAR LEAR exits.
GONERIL GONERIL
Do you mark that, my lord? Did you hear that?
ALBANY ALBANY
I cannot be so partial, Goneril, Goneril, you know how much I love you, but still I
To the great love I bear you— have to say—
GONERIL GONERIL
Pray you, content. Shush, please. Come, sir, no more.—Oswald,
310 Come, sire, no more.—What, Oswald, ho! come here! (to FOOL) And you, sir, you’re more of
(to FOOL) You, sir, more knave than fool, after your a rascal than a fool. Go follow your master.
master.
FOOL FOOL
Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool with Uncle Lear, uncle Lear, wait. Take your fool with
thee. you.
A fox when one has caught her A fox you’ve trapped
315 And such a daughter And such a daughter
Should sure to the slaughter, Should both be slaughtered,
If my cap would buy a halter. If my fool’s cap is worth a rope to bind them.
So the fool follows after. So the fool follows you.
Exit FOOL The FOOL exits.
GONERIL GONERIL
This man hath had good counsel—a hundred knights! My father can’t think straight—a hundred knights!
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep Just imagine the risk we run in letting him keep a
320 At point a hundred knights, yes, that on every dream, hundred knights around! He could use them to
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, strong-arm us into bowing to every little whim of
He may enguard his dotage with their powers his, and keep us at his mercy.—Oswald, where are
And hold our lives in mercy?—Oswald, I say! you?


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Act 1, 1, Scene
ALBANY ALBANY
Well, you may fear too far. You may be exaggerating the risks.
GONERIL GONERIL
325 Safer than trust too far. That’s better than exaggerating our trust. It’s
Let me still take away the harms I fear, always better to get rid of what you’re scared of
Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart. than to be afraid. I know how his mind works. I’ve
What he hath uttered I have writ my sister. written to my sister telling her everything he’s said.
If she sustain him and his hundred knights If she welcomes him and his hundred knights after
330 When I have showed th' unfitness— I’ve shown how inappropriately he’s behaved—
Enter OSWALD the steward OSWALD enters.
OSWALD OSWALD
Here, madam. Here, ma'am.
GONERIL GONERIL
How now, Oswald? Well, Oswald? Have you written that letter to my
What, have you writ that letter to my sister? sister yet?
OSWALD OSWALD
Ay, madam. Yes, ma'am.
GONERIL GONERIL
335 Take you some company, and away to horse. Take some men and horses and go to her. Tell her
Inform her full of my particular fear, everything that worries me. Add details of your
And thereto add such reasons of your own own to back up what I’m saying. Now go, and
As may compact it more. Get you gone hurry back.
And hasten your return.
No, no, my lord, No, no, my husband, I’m not angry that you urge
340 Though I condemn not, yet under pardon me to deal more gently with my father. But you’re
You are much more attasked for want of wisdom showing a lack of wisdom that that is much more
Than praised for harmful mildness. noticeable than your tenderness toward him.
ALBANY ALBANY
How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell. Maybe you know more than I do. But people often
Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well. screw things up trying to make them better.


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Act 1, 1, Scene
GONERIL GONERIL
345 Nay, then— No, not at all—
ALBANY ALBANY
Well, well, th' event. All right, all right. Time will tell.
Exeunt They exit.


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Act Scene
Act 1, Scene 5
Enter LEAR, KENT disguised, and FOOL LEAR enters with KENT in disguise, and the
FOOL.
LEAR LEAR
(to KENT, giving him letters) Go you before to (to KENT, giving him letters) Go ahead of us and
Gloucester with these letters. Acquaint my daughter no deliver these letters to the Earl of Gloucester.
further with anything you know than comes from her Answer my daughter’s questions about the letter,
demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, but don’t tell her anything else you know. If you’re
I shall be there afore you. not quick enough, I’ll get there before you.
KENT KENT
I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. I won’t sleep until I’ve delivered your letter, my lord.
Exit KENT KENT exits.
FOOL FOOL
If a man’s brains were in ’s heels, were ’t not in danger If a man’s brain were in his feet, wouldn’t it be
of kibes? susceptible to frostbite?
LEAR LEAR
Ay, boy. Yes, boy.
FOOL FOOL
10 Then, I prithee, be merry. Thy wit shall ne'er go slipshod. In that case, cheer up. Your brains won’t need
slippers to protect them from frostbite, since your
brains aren’t in your feet—if they were you wouldn’t
take this useless journey to see Regan.
LEAR LEAR
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
FOOL FOOL
Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly. For Your other daughter Regan will treat you kindly,
though she’s as like this as a crab’s like an apple, yet I you’ll see. Even though she’s as similar to Goneril
can tell what I can tell. as one crabapple is like another, still… I know what
I know.
LEAR LEAR
15 Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? And what do you know, boy?
FOOL FOOL
She will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou I know that Regan will taste just like Goneril—both
canst tell why one’s nose stands i' th' middle on ’s face? of them sour crabapples. Do you know why the
nose is in the middle of a person’s face?


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Act 1, 1, Scene
LEAR LEAR
No. No.
FOOL FOOL
Why, to keep one’s eyes of either side ’s nose, that what Why, to keep the eyes on the sides, so that you
a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. can see anything that you can’t sniff out.
LEAR LEAR
I did her wrong— I was wrong to her—
FOOL FOOL
Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? Do you know how an oyster makes its shell?
LEAR LEAR
No. No.
FOOL FOOL
Nor I neither. But I can tell why a snail has a house. Me neither. But I know why a snail carries its house
on its back.
LEAR LEAR
25 Why? Why?
FOOL FOOL
Why, to put ’s head in—not to give it away to his So that he always has a roof over his head. He
daughters and leave his horns without a case. can’t give his house away to his daughters, leaving
himself without shelter.
LEAR LEAR
I will forget my nature. So kind a father!—Be my horses I want to forget what I am. Such a kind father!—Are
ready? my horses ready?
FOOL FOOL
30 Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the Your attendant asses are getting the horses ready.
seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. There’s a nice reason why the constellation
Pleiades has only seven stars in it.
LEAR LEAR
Because they are not eight? Because it doesn’t have eight?
FOOL FOOL
Yes indeed. Thou wouldst make a good fool. That’s right. You’d make a good fool.
LEAR LEAR
To take ’t again perforce— Monster ingratitude! I could take back my crown by force—What
outrageous ingratitude!


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Act 1, 1, Scene
FOOL FOOL
35 If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I’d have thee beaten for If you were my fool, uncle, I’d have you beaten for
being old before thy time. getting old before your time.
LEAR LEAR
How’s that? How’s that?
FOOL FOOL
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been You’re not supposed to get old until you’re wise.
wise.
LEAR LEAR
O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Oh, dear God, don’t let me go mad! Keep me
40 I would not be mad. balanced and sane. I don’t want to go mad.
Keep me in temper. I would not be mad.
Enter a GENTLEMAN A GENTLEMAN enters.
How now? Are the horses ready? So, are the horses ready?
GENTLEMAN GENTLEMAN
Ready, my lord. They’re ready, my lord.
LEAR LEAR
Come, boy. Come on, boy.
Exeunt LEAR and GENTLEMAN LEAR and the GENTLEMAN exit.
FOOL FOOL
45 She that’s a maid now and laughs at my departure, (speaking to the audience) Any girl who laughs
Shall not be a maid long unless things be cut shorter. because I’m going with the king is too foolish to
remain a virgin very long.
Exit He exits.


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King Lear William Shakespeare

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Sennet. Trumpets announce the arrival of King LEAR.

The king is coming. The king is coming.

Exit GLOUCESTERLEAR GLOUCESTER exits.

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(to CORDELIA) away! Get out of my sight!—I guess if she doesn’t

Exeunt several attendants Several attendants exit.

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ALBANY, CORNWALL ALBANY, CORNWALL

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Exit KENT KENT exits.

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