Cornwall dispatches men to capture Gloucester, whom he calls a traitor. But I will stay. I wasn't expecting your arrival, and I'm not ready to take care of you. Oh what a difference there was between one man and another. And what they may incense him to, being apt To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. What do you want with me? This trusty servant will go between us. He leads himself. This trusty servant Oswald can carry messages between us. Edmund, ever the gentleman, escorts Goneril to her castle and Goneril says something like "Gee, I wonder where my husband is." Before Edmund can make out with Goneril on her doorstep, Oswald, Goneril's trusty steward, enters and says that Albany (the . This trusty servant Shall pass between us. What, must I come to you With five and twenty, Regan? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. I dare avouch it, sir. Necessitys sharp pinch! I can stay with Regan, along with my hundred knights. I had more anger than intelligence in me, so I drew my sword against him. Horses are tied, by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the. It was a man and a woman: your son-in-law and daughter. It's strange that Regan and Cornwall left their home without sending back my messenger. Are they informed of this? Then if they happened to neglect you, we could control them. The things he ought to dislike seem pleasant to him, and what should be good news offends him. Scene 2 Regan and Cornwall put Kent in the stocks for attacking Oswald, the chief steward of Goneril's household. They are sick? I can be patient. Lear annoys Goneril while he stays with her. Gloucester returns to announce that Lears death is being plotted and to urge Kent to rush Lear to Cordelia at Dover. I dare avouch it, sir. Please, sir, calm down. Did he lose his other eye? King Lear Modern Translation: Act 1, Scene 4. It's proved by the fact that these earthly crimes are punished so quickly! Madam, within, but never man so chang'd. 4. May prove effects. Regan believes Edmund's lies about Edgar, and suggests that Lear's knights may be responsible for the "attempt" to kill Gloucester. Another way The news is not so tart. Ill read and answer. To bear it tamely. Don't make faces at me and express your inner monstrous nature. Cordelia and Kent fall out of favor. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Why not, my lord? You barbarous degenerates, you've driven your father crazy. Edmund feigns concern for Edgar. I don't know what things I'll do yet, but they will be terrible. This house is little. Edgar is being hunted. Sickness can make us forget the duties that we owe when we're healthy. What "stubborn nature?" The servant who runs away becomes a fool, but this fool is no scoundrel, so help me God. Goneril, with whom Lear has gone to live, expresses her anger at Lear and his knights. Hath put himself from rest. Before ALBANY's palace. Why should you need moreor even that manysince fifty knights are expensive and dangerous to keep? He didn't care at all about interrupting me, and he presented a letter from his lady, which they read immediately. You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, as wretched in his grief as he is in his frailty. Gloucester, Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Cordelia, and Lear die. They summoned up their meiny, straight took horse. Edgar himself, in full armor, appears to accuse Edmund of treachery. Go back to my sister. What, fifty followers? He is immediately presented with the horrifying sight of his blinded father. And her brother wanted to be kind to his horse, so he buttered its hay. But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter. He smiled at it. You're at the very edge of your allotted lifespan. Literature King Lear Modern English Act 3, Scene 4 Summary King Lear: Act 3, Scene 4 Translation BACK NEXT A side-by-side translation of Act 3, Scene 4 of King Lear from the original Shakespeare into modern English. 'Tis a wild night. justice in heaven. since fifty knights are expensive and dangerous to keep? Which tie him to an answer. If it's you who inspire these daughters to turn against their father, then at least don't make me such a fool as to take their insolence without protesting. Yes, my lord. . Cornwall, Regan, and Goneril shut Gloucesters castle against Lear. Translation KENT in the stocks. GONERIL Each Shakespeares play name links to a range of resources about each play: Character summaries, plot outlines, example essays and famous quotes, soliloquies and monologues: Alls Well That Ends Well Antony and Cleopatra As You Like It The Comedy of Errors Coriolanus Cymbeline Hamlet Henry IV Part 1 Henry IV Part 2 Henry VIII Henry VI Part 1 Henry VI Part 2 Henry VI Part 3 Henry V Julius Caesar King John King Lear Loves Labours Lost Macbeth Measure for Measure The Merchant of Venice The Merry Wives of Windsor A Midsummer Nights Dream Much Ado About Nothing Othello Pericles Richard II Richard III Romeo & Juliet The Taming of the Shrew The Tempest Timon of Athens Titus Andronicus Troilus & Cressida Twelfth Night The Two Gentlemen of Verona The Winters Tale, King Lear Modern Translation: Act 4, Scene 2. Fiery? The fiery duke? You won't believe how horriblyOh, Regan! The king would speak with Cornwall. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Are they "informed" of this? The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Ay, my good lord. LEAR 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, And not send back my messenger. He'll ignore insults that should require him to retaliate. She turned to Edmund. On his way here with my lady, the messenger said. Why don't they burst? You'll aim the same curses at me if the mood strikes you. Sending Edmund and Goneril to tell Albany about the landing of the French army, Cornwall puts out Gloucesters eyes. Shakespeare homepage| King Lear| Act 4, Scene 2 Previous scene| Next scene SCENE II. Better yourself at your leisure. But, for true need You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need. Shut up your doors, my lord. I do not call it. Im surprised that my mild-mannered husband didnt meet us on the way. Oswald appeared and she snapped: Wheres your master?, Madam, hes indoors, but never has a man changed so much, Oswald said. Your tender nature will never turn harsh and cruel. Our basest beggars. [He pointsto his heart]I can hardly speak about it. Filth can appreciate only filth. Of Gloucester's treachery, 7. We'll never meet or see each other again. That bearst a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs, Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning, Fools do those villains pity who are punished. But before I had risen from my respectful kneeling position, a stinking messenger arrived, out of breath and panting out greetings from his mistress Goneril. If you only allow people to have what they need to survive, then a man's life becomes as cheap as an animal's. Thou art a boil, A plague-sore or embossd carbuncle In my corrupted blood. Shame on you, you warped and false creature! EDGAR Lear discovers Kent in the stocks. It's hard, almost impossible. and I'm afraid of what they might encourage him to do, especially since he can be deceived so easily. I am now from home, and out of that provision. We are not ourselves, When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind, And am fallen out with my more headier will, Should he sit here? What have you done? You fen-sucked fogs drawn by the powerful sun. Shut your doors. To cure Gloucester of despair, Edgar pretends to aid him in a suicide attempt, a fall from Dover Cliff to the beach far below. These are the signs of rebellion and desertion. Dismissing half your train, come then to me. Tell them to come out and listen to me, or else I'll beat a drum outside their bedroom door until they have to wake up. And let not womens weapons, water drops. Summary: Act 2, scene 4 Lear, accompanied by the Fool and a knight, arrives at Gloucester's castle. Edmund is not sure which sister to marry. Welcome, my lord. Strike her young bones, You taking airs, with lameness! I would have none but knaves follow it. I told him you were coming; 6. How chance the king comes with so small a train? Mend your ways if you can. Scene 3 For those that mingle reason with your passion Must be content to think you old, and so But she knows what she does. A messenger announces the deaths of Regan (who has been poisoned by Goneril) and Goneril (who has committed suicide). Why not, my lord? Stop pretending to be strong. One cant have confidence in a person who can do that to a parent. Oh, how different two men can be! Her eyes are fierce and vicious, but yours are comforting. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Soon you will receive a mistress command, if you dare to take the opportunity of doing yourself a favour. She removed a chain from which hung a locket with her picture in it from around her neck. Lear, Kent, and the Fool reach the hovel, where they find Edgar disguised as Poor Tom, a madman-beggar. What need you five and twenty, ten, or five To follow in a house where twice so many Have a command to tend you? Not altogether so, sir. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Infirmity doth still neglect all office Whereto our health is bound. Edgar reveals his identity, tells about his life as Poor Tom, and describes Gloucesters death. Do you but mark how this becomes the house? [kneels] Dear daughter, I confess that I am old. On my knees I beg That youll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food., I should ask her forgiveness? < Previous Section Act 4, Scene 1, Page 2 Act 4, Scene 1, Page 3 Next Section > Act 4, Scene 1, Page 4 Original Text Modern Text 45 EDGAR (aside) How should this be? I know what reason. If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts, Against their father, fool me not so much. Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine, Displayed so saucily against your highness. No, Regan, I'll never curse you. However, Regan was a widow now and if Gonerils Edmund was there it may bring the structure of her dreams crashing down. But now that I think about how dangerous fifty knights are, I must say that if you come to stay with me. Send down, and take my part! You will return and sojourn with my sister. . Your son and daughter found this trespass worth The shame which here it suffers. Explanations and citation info for 38,586 quotes across 1748 books. And let not womens weapons, water drops, Stain my mans cheeks! And let the wise man fly. Help gather his troops and lead his armies. Lear appears to be losing his mind. You think Ill weep? Farewell. Filths savor but themselves. Kent (in disguise) becomes a servant of Lear. Isn't that enough for you? Kent (Lear's messenger) and Oswald (Goneril's messenger) fight. Where was his son when they took his eyes out? said Albany. Hasten his musters and conduct his powers. I marvel our mild husband. Why should Kent be locked up here? Thou art a lady. I do not call it. As Albany makes plans to restore Lear to the throne, Lear himself dies. Better yourself at your leisure. Followed the old man forth. Where's your war drum? Ere I was risen from the place that showed. I told him of the army that was landed; 5. [indicates his heart] I can scarce speak to thee. Tell me what else you know. But I won't criticize you. O Regan, she hath tied Sharp-toothed unkindness, like a vulture, here. Come in out of the storm. He raised the house with loud and coward cries. This act persuades me That this remotion of the duke and her Is practice only. Oh, my heart, my hysterical rising heart! Fathers that wear rags Do make their children blind. Edmund pretends to fight with Edgar to incriminate him. For your fit welcome. Give me noble anger, tears stain my man's cheeks! She marries the king of France. His attendants are violent men. King Lear Modern Translation: Act 2, Scene 2 Home 1 / Shakespeare Plays 2 / Modern King Lear 3 / King Lear Modern Translation: Act 2, Scene 2 Kent arrived at Gloucester's castle and handed his horse over to the stable attendants. If I could allow my hands to do what my heart desires, I would rip you in two. Wheres thy drum? What have you done? You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames Into her scornful eyes! Mans lifes as cheap as beasts. Stop this, good sir. 'Tis worse than murder To do upon respect such violent outrage. 'Tis not in thee To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, And in conclusion to oppose the bolt Against my coming in. Enter Goneril and Edmund, the Bastard. Deny to speak with me? But what you and I talked about on the way hereour desire for each othermay soon be realized. Horses are tied up by their heads, dogs and bears by their necks, monkeys by their waists, and men by their legs. Tigers, not daughters: what do you think youre doing? Act 2, Scene 4. Edgar and Gloucester seek shelter. Scene 2 Synopsis: Goneril and Edmund arrive at Albany and Goneril's castle. Why can't you let yourself be attended by Regan's servants, or mine? Oh, don't be so logical about needs! Belovd Regan, Thy sisters naught. May all the anger of heaven strike her ungrateful head! OSWALD Madam, within; but never man so changed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is both he and she:Your son and daughter. Fetch me a better answer. He was the one who informed against his father, and left the house so that they could punish Gloucester fully without worrying about Edmund's feelings. Then all my fantasies will crumble and I'll have to continue this hateful life. Mend when thou canst. Farewell. Regan, I hope you didn't know anything about it. You won't believe how horriblyOh, Regan! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man. When Oswald appears and tries to kill Gloucester, Edgar kills Oswald and finds on his body a letter from Goneril to Edmund plotting Albanys death. Come out o' th' storm. Goneril, irritated, tells Edmund that he should not meet Albany at this time. I'll dare to say yes, sir. Struggling with distance learning? Fortune, that fickle whore, never opens the door to the poor. Ere long you are like to hear If you dare venture in your own behalf A mistresss command. Moral deformity is expected in devils, so it doesn't seem as horrible in them as it does when it appears in a woman. Go back, Edmund, to my brother : speed up his recruitment and take charge of his army. I told him that the French army had landed, and he smiled at the news. Decline your head. Regan, I have good hope Thou didst not know on t.Who comes here? The old man and his people. He once was a gracious old man whom even an angry bear would respect. She that herself will sliver and disbranch, From her material sap perforce must wither. But oh, poor Gloucester. Where's your war drum? I committed no crime at all. Lower your head. She placed the chain around his neck then kissed him. Infect her beauty, You fen-sucked fogs drawn by the powerful sun, To fall and blister! Come here, friend. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It is believed that Shakespeare wrote 38 plays in total between 1590 and 1612. When King Lear asks his three daughters how much they love him in order to divide his kingdom, he falls for Regan and Gonerils flattery, but banishes Cordelia for her honest answer. Then you can stay with me the next month. Enter OSWALD Now, where's your master'? So will you wish on me when the rash mood is on. How have I offended?Alls not offense that indiscretion findsAnd dotage terms so. Tell the hot duke that Lear No, but not yet. If a huge wheel goes rolling down a hill, don't try to cling to it, or else you'll break your neck. I looked not for you yet, nor am provided. Lear tells his daughters Goneril and Regan that they and their husbands should divide his powers and revenues; he himself will keep a hundred knights and will live with Goneril and Regan by turns. I told him that you were coming, and he answered with "too bad." I'll restrain my rage, and fight against my fickle temper, which makes me want to judge a sick man like a healthy one. Blows in your face. Why not, my lord? O sir, to wilful men, The injuries that they themselves procure Must be their schoolmasters. She encourages her servants to be unaccommodating towards Lear's men. So am I purposed.Where is my lord of Gloucester? No, you unnatural hags, I'll have such a revenge on you both that the whole world will. Oh Goneril, you aren't worth the dust that the rude wind blows in your face. It's my husband's cowardly terror that keeps him from taking risks. If the heavens don't send down avenging angels to punish these terrible crimes, then the end will come: humanity must turn on itself, all of us destroying each other like monsters from the deep. Why, the hot-blooded France that dowerless took Our youngest born I could as well be brought To knee his throne, and, squirelike, pension beg To keep base life afoot. [To LEAR] Greetings to you, noble master! The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Act 1, Scene 2 So why should I have to come to you with only twenty-five, Regan? Hurl down a lightning bolt for my cause! Give ear, sir, to my sister. Scene 1 Edmund convinces Edgar that he must flee his father's home. To the filthy everything seems filthy. Jump to a scene Short names Hide Line Numbers Before Gloucester's castle. Resolve me with all modest haste which way Thou mightst deserve or they impose this usage, Coming from us. . Instant downloads of all 1748 LitChart PDFs. [To GONERIL]This letter, madam, demands an immediate answer. What should you need of more Yea, or so many sith that both charge and danger Speak 'gainst so great a number? Touch me with noble anger. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses. None.How chance the king comes with so small a train? Well no more meet, no more see one another. No, my dear lord, I met him on his way back., Yes, my good lord. They refuse to speak with me? And what they may incense him to, being apt. May all the anger of heaven strike her ungrateful head! His answer was The worse. Of Gloucesters treachery And of the loyal service of his son, When I informed him, then he called me sot, And told me I had turned the wrong side out. If you trust yourself to ask, you will soon be likely to hear my command as both Duchess and as your lover. In the French camp Cordelia orders out a search party for Lear. No, please, daughter, don't make me go crazy. Her eyes are fierce and vicious, but yours are comforting. For pilf'rings and most common trespasses 107. The two meet the mad Lear, who talks with Gloucester about lechery, abuses of power, and other human follies. Bemonster not thy feature. Lear, King of Britain 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, 1 Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. No, I would rather refuse to live under any roof at all, and choose to live as a comrade of the wolf and the owl, fighting against the harshness of the open air, and living with the sharp pinch of poverty! Summary: Act 4, scene 1 As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport. I know tmy sisters. Edgar (in disguise), Lear, Kent (in disguise), the Fool, and Gloucester meet outside in the storm. Sir, if she happened to restrain the rowdiness of your knights, then she must have had a good enough reason for it that she's free from all blame. The youngest, Cordelia, does not, and Lear disowns and banishes her. In the ensuing trial by combat, Edgar mortally wounds Edmund. If you only allow people to have what they need to survive, then a man's life becomes as cheap as an animal's. Lear stays outside in a storm. Instant downloads of all 1748 LitChart PDFs. Not being the worst daughter deserves a little praise, I suppose. He raised the house with loud and coward cries. Hell not feel wrongs Which tie him to an answer. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1748 titles we cover. And told me I had turned the wrong side out. My dear lord, you know the duke's fiery, stubborn nature, and how unshakeable he is once he's made a decision. Vengeance, plague, death, confusion! What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; He's inside, madam. Edgar, still in disguise, approaches Albany with the letter plotting Albanys death, and promises to produce a champion to maintain the authenticity of the letter in a trial by combat. The dear father Would with his daughter speak, commands, tends service. A messenger reveals that Cornwall has died from his wounds. Admit that you've wronged her, sir. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. If you trust yourself to ask, you will soon be likely to hear my command as both Duchess and as your lover. Why should Kent be locked up here? He was found, just now, as mad as the vexed sea, singing aloud. It's my husband's cowardly terror that keeps him from taking risks. Gloucester tells Edmund that there is a quarrel between the dukes and a possible invasion. What dost thou profess? This kiss, if it durst speak. Some other time for that. Cornwall and Regan arrive at Gloucesters castle, hear the false stories about Edgar, and welcome Edmund into their service. Look, he wears cruel garters. She hath abated me of half my train, Looked black upon me, struck me with her tongue, Most serpentlike, upon the very heart. This list of Shakespeare plays brings together all 38 plays in alphabetical order. Lear, in his madness, imagines that Goneril and Regan are on trial before a tribunal made up of Edgar, the Fool, Kent, and himself. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when, she put 'em i' th' paste alive. Hasten his musters and conduct his powers. You should let yourself be ruled and led by someone who understands you better than you can understand yourself. But oh, poor Gloucester. 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, The night before there was no purpose in them, Ha, ha! Its from your sister.. Welcome, my lord. If you will come to me For now I spy a danger I entreat you To bring but five and twenty. He commands that she attend to him. May swampy, poisonous fog blister her face and ruin her beauty! She's dismissed half of my knights, glared at me evilly, and struck me in the heart with her venomous insults. The king wants to speak with Cornwall. Kent tells the Gentleman that French forces are on their way to England. Everyone but the blind can see that the king has fallen on bad luck, and even the blind can smell his decaying fortunes. I would have none but knaves follow it since a fool gives it. I did commend your highness' letters to them. Shame will come to you when it decides to. When Goneril arrives, Lear quarrels bitterly with her and with Regan, who claim that he needs no attendants of his own. I can't believe that my sister would fail in her obligations at all. Mend your ways if you can. The dear father. He followed the old man. Wear this for me. Be better at thy leisure. But no, not yet. These are the signs of rebellion and desertion. with line numbers, as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.)