King lear, p.29
King Lear, page 29
181 matter and impertinency sense and nonsense
184 hither i.e. into this world
189 block style of hat or mold for hats (perhaps Lear removes his headgear)/block from which to mount a horse/tree stump (stage may even give rise to a sense of “scaffold and executioner’s block”)
190 delicate ingenious
191 put’t in proof try it out
4.3 Gentleman perhaps the same man that Kent gave instructions to in Act 3 Scene 1
197 natural fool born fool (as opposed to a professional jester)
201 seconds supporters (as for a duel)
202 salt i.e. tears
204 die plays on the sense of “orgasm”
204 bravely handsomely
205 jovial cheerful/majestic (like Jove, king of the gods)
206 Masters sirs
209 Sa … sa hunting cry, from French ça (“that’s it,” “it’s there”)
212 nature i.e. human nature
212 general curse curse of original sin
213 twain Adam and Eve (but also suggests Goneril and Regan)
214 gentle noble
215 speed you (may God) prosper you
216 toward impending
217 vulgar widely known
219 by your favour if you would be so good
221 main … thought sight of the main army is expected hourly
224 Though that though
224 on special cause for a special reason (i.e. to find Lear)
229 worser spirit evil angel/bad side of my nature
234 known … sorrows deeply felt sorrows I have experienced
235 pregnant … pity disposed to compassion
236 biding dwelling
238 benison blessing
239 To … boot in addition, and may it benefit you
240 proclaimed prize i.e. a man with a price on his head
240 happy fortunate
241 framed flesh conceived and born
243 thyself remember recall your sins (i.e. prepare to die)
248 published proclaimed
251 ’Chill I shall
251 ’chill … ’casion I shall not let go, sir, without further occasion (cause); for his new persona, Edgar adopts a West Country accent in which he substitutes “v” for “f” and “z” for “s”
253 your gait on your way
254 An … vortnight if I could have been killed by boasting, I would not have lasted a fortnight (or “it would have been shorter by a fortnight”)
256 che vor ye I warrant you, I promise you
256 i’se I shall
257 costard head (literally, a large apple)
257 ballow cudgel
259 pick knock out with the cudgel
259 foins sword thrusts
264 party side
265 serviceable eager to serve, ready to do anything
272 deathsman executioner
273 Leave give me leave, permit me
277 will desire/lust
277 want not is not lacking
278 done achieved
281 for your labour as a reward for your efforts/as a place for sexual activity
282 servant lover
283 undistinguished space limitless scope
283 will lust
286 Thee … up I will bury you (Oswald)
286 post unsanctified unholy messenger
287 in … time when the time is ripe
288 ungracious wicked, sinful
288 strike blast/afflict
289 death-practised whose death is plotted
291 stiff stubborn
292 ingenious sensitive, intelligent
293 distract mad
295 wrong imaginations illusions
Act 4 Scene 6
4.6 Location: the French camp, near Dover
3 every … me all my efforts will be inadequate
4 o’erpaidi.e. already more than enough
5 All … truth everything I have told you is the simple truth (or possibly “may all reports of me be unexaggerated and accurate”)
6 Nor … clipped neither overstated nor abbreviated
7 suited dressed
8 weeds clothes
11 Yet … intent to have my identity known now would spoil the plan I have devised
12 My … it the favor I ask is
12 know me not do not acknowledge me
13 meet suitable
18 wind up put in tune (by tightening the pegs on a stringed instrument)
19 child-changèd changed by his children
23 I’th’sway … will as you see fit, under your own authority
23 arrayed dressed (appropriately)
27 doubt of fear for
27 temperance self-control
31 reverence i.e. position deserving respect, venerable state
33 Had you even if you had
33 flakes locks of hair
34 Did challenge would have demanded
34 of from
38 fain obliged
39 rogues forlorn destitute vagabonds
40 short i.e. broken up (and hence less comfortable)
41 at once at the same time
42 concluded all come entirely to an end
46 bliss i.e. heaven
47 wheel of fire i.e. one of hell’s tortures of the damned; recalls Ixion, who, in Greek mythology, was bound to a wheel of fire for attempting to seduce the queen of the gods
47 that so that
51 wide wide of the mark, confused
54 abused wronged, ill-treated/deluded
57 Would … condition! I wish I could be sure of what state I am in!
63 fond silly
84 rage frenzy
86 further settling his mind is more settled
Act 5 Scene 1
5.1 Location: the British camp, near Dover
5.1 Drum and Colours soldiers with military flags and a drum beating
1 Know of find out from
1 last purpose most recent intention
2 since subsequently
2 advised persuaded/warned
2 aught anything, i.e. any news
4 self-reproving self-reproach
4 constant pleasure fixed wishes
5 miscarried come to harm
6 doubted feared
11 honoured honorable
13 forfended place forbidden place, i.e. Goneril’s vagina
15 I … her I cannot stand her
16 familiar too friendly/sexually intimate
20 rigour … state harshness of our government
21 cry out i.e. protest in pain
22 Why … reasoned? Why are we discussing this?
23 Combine together i.e. let us combine our two armies
24 domestic … broils private internal squabbles
27 th’ancient of war experienced senior officers
30 convenient suitable, seemly
31 know the riddle understand your enigmatic request, see your trick (Regan wants to keep a suspicious eye on Goneril)
34 I’ll overtake you presumably Albany calls after those who have or are in the process of departing
35 ope open
35 letter i.e. the letter Oswald was carrying from Goneril to Edmund
36 sound i.e. sound a summons
38 champion one who fights in single combat
39 avouchèd declared, affirmed
39 miscarry lose the battle and die
41 machination plotting
44 cry make the proclamation
46 o’erlook read over
47 powers troops
49 discovery intelligence-gathering, reconnaissance
51 greet the time be ready when the time comes
53 jealous suspicious, mistrustful
58 hardly with difficulty
58 carry … side fulfill my side of the agreement (with Goneril)/achieve my own (power-seeking) ends
60 countenance authority
62 taking off murder
65 shall i.e. they shall
65 my … debate my position relies on action not discussion
Act 5 Scene 2
5.2 Location: not far from the battlefield, near Dover
5.2 Alarum trumpet call to arms
1 father form of address for an old man
2 host i.e. shelter
5.2 retreat trumpet call signaling retreat
7 ta’en (are) captured
12 Ripeness readiness/the right time
Act 5 Scene 3
5.3 Location: the British camp, near Dover
1 good guard guard them carefully
2 greater pleasures the wishes of more important people (i.e. Goneril, Regan, Albany)
3 censure judge, sentence
5 meaning intentions
6 cast down humbled by fortune/defeated in battle/dejected
14 gilded butterflies actual butterflies/lavishly dressed courtiers
14 poor rogues wretched fellows
17 take … things understand the secret inner workings of the world
18 God’s spies spying on the world on God’s behalf/looking at the world from a lofty vantage point, like God
18 wear out outlive
19 packs and sects cliques and factions
20 That … th’moon i.e. whose fortunes ebb and flow like the tides
22 sacrifices refers to either Cordelia’s sacrifice for Lear or their joint loss of freedom
23 throw incense i.e. like priests performing the sacrifice
24 brand … foxes alludes to the practice of smoking foxes out of their holes
26 flesh and fell flesh and skin (i.e. entirely)
27 starved dead
33 tender-minded sensitive, soft-hearted
34 become befit, suit
35 bear question permit discussion
38 write happy count yourself fortunate
39 carry manage
41 strain lineage
43 opposites opponents
44 use treat
48 retention detention, confinement
49 Whose refers to the king
49 charms bewitching spells
49 title name of king/legal entitlement (to land and power)
50 pluck … bosom draw the sympathies of the common people
51 turn … them i.e. turn our conscripted soldiers’ weapons against ourselves
52 queen i.e. Cordelia
55 session hearing in a court of justice
56 by your patience if you’ll excuse me
57 subject of subordinate in
59 list please
60 pleasure … demanded wishes might have been asked
62 commission authority
63 immediacy closeness, connection
66 grace merit
67 your addition the honors or titles you bestow on him
69 compeers equals
70 That … most i.e. he would be most fully invested with your rights
72 Holla whoa, stop
73 asquint crookedly, distortedly
75 full-flowing stomach a stomach full of anger (where stomach is used like “heart” for the seat of the passions)
76 patrimony inheritance
77 Dispose of use, deal with
77 walls Regan images herself as a fortress surrendering
78 Witness the world let the world witness
80 enjoy i.e. have sex with him as your husband
81 let-alone permission or refusal to give it
83 Half-blooded illegitimate (fellow is contemptuous)
86 in i.e. along with
87 gilded serpent i.e. Goneril
87 For as for
88 bar it prevent its advancement (legal term)
89 subcontracted engaged for a second time, entered into a contract that is subsidiary to her marriage contract with Albany
90 banns proclamation of marriage (spelled “banes” in Folio, perhaps playing on “evil-doings”)
91 make … to woo, make advances to
92 bespoke spoken for
93 interlude brief comic play (i.e. “What a farce!”)
97 pledge challenge/pledge to fight
97 make it i.e. make it good
98 nothing no way
101 medicine drugs (i.e. poison)
102 what whoever
108 single virtue unaided courage or strength
115 quality or degree noble birth or high rank
116 lists catalog of soldiers
127 canker-bit eaten away by canker-worms (grubs that feed on plants)
129 cope encounter, fight with
137 honours … profession i.e. as a knight
138 protest declare
139 Maugre despite
139 place position, rank
140 fire-new i.e. brand new, freshly minted
143 Conspirant a conspirator
144 upward top, crown
145 descent lowest part, sole
146 toad-spotted toads’ spots were believed to contain venom
147 bent resolved/tensed for action
152 say assay, evidence
153 nicely in strict keeping with the rules
156 hell-hated lie the lie I hate as much as hell
157 for they since they (the treasons)
157 by off
158 instant way an immediate passage (to your heart)
160 him probably a call to Edgar to spare Edmund’s life so that a confession can be obtained from him
161 practice trickery
164 cozened and beguiled cheated and deceived
165 dame woman
168 know recognize
170 arraign indict, bring to trial
173 govern restrain
177 fortune on good fortune to defeat
179 charity forgiveness
181 th’hast thou hast (i.e. you have)
183 pleasant pleasurable (sexually so in this case)
185 dark literally and metaphorically
185 vicious immoral
185 got begot, conceived
188 wheel wheel of fortune
189 prophesy suggest, foretell
196 List listen (to)
198 bloody proclamation i.e. the sentence of death pronounced on him
200 the … die would repeatedly suffer pain as bad as death
202 semblance outward appearance
203 habit clothing/guise, appearance
204 rings i.e. eye sockets
206 despair the spiritual hopelessness that precedes suicide
209 success outcome (in the duel with Edmund)
211 pilgrimage course of events/period of exile/spiritual journey
211 flawed cracked
219 dissolve i.e. in tears
225 smokes i.e. steams with hot blood
236 compliment etiquette (of greeting)
239 aye forever (Kent is aware he is dying)
241 Great thing vital matter
243 object sight
248 Even exactly
251 writ written order (for execution; a legal term)
255 office task, responsibility
263 fordid killed
270 stone specular stone, a crystalline substance used to make mirrors
272 promised end the death Lear expected (when he divided the kingdom)/Judgment Day, the end of the world (the sense that Edgar understands)
274 Fall and cease! either Albany calls for the end of the world, or he wishes for Lear to die and be put out of his anguish
286 slave villain/wretched servant
289 falchion curved sword
291 crosses troubles, frustrations
292 Mine … o’th’best failing sight was believed to be a sign of approaching death
292 straight in a moment
293 two … hated perhaps “two people she first loved and then hated”; it is not entirely clear who the one Kent refers to is
295 dull sight refers either to Lear’s dim eyesight or to the motionless Cordelia
297 caius the only mention of the name Kent assumed when he was in disguise
301 I’ll … straight I’ll attend to that in a moment
302 your … decay the beginning of the change and decline in your fortunes (may also suggest mental decay)
305 Nor … else completes Kent’s previous, unfinished sentence with “and no one else” as well as beginning his current one with “neither I nor anyone else (is welcome)”
306 fordone killed
307 desperately as a result of the spiritual despair that precedes suicide
309 vain … him it is useless for us to tell him who we are
311 bootless pointless
315 this great decay noble ruin, i.e. Lear
316 For as for
316 resign hand over
319 boot advantage, additions
319 addition titles, honors
322 cup painful experience (plays on the related sense of “drinking vessel”)
322 see, see something attracts Albany’s attention, presumably to Lear
323 fool i.e. Cordelia (fool was a term of endearment), but recalls Lear’s Fool as well
327 this button may refer to Cordelia’s (hoping to help her breathe) or Lear’s own (if he is once again afflicted by “the mother,” the hysteria that causes one to struggle for breath)
327 sir it is unclear whom Lear addresses here
333 ghost spirit
334 rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs
335 longer for a longer period of time/to longer physical dimensions
338 usurped stole, made illegal use of (beyond its rightful length)
342 gored wounded, bleeding
342 sustain support/keep alive
343 journey i.e. to death
Quarto Passages That Do Not Appear in the Folio
1 Nor … sure and I am sure he is not
4 unnaturalness lack of natural family feeling
5 dearth famine
5 ancient amities long-standing friendships
5 divisions breaches, disagreements
6 maledictions curses
7 diffidences doubts, mistrust
7 dissipation of cohorts dispersal of troops
8 nuptial breaches breaking of marriage vows
9 sectary astronomical devotee of astrology (in the period, astronomy and astrology were often indistinguishable from one another)
11 Not i.e. we are not
11 Idle foolish/useless
14 used handled, dealt with
15 checks as flatteries rebukes instead of flattery
15 seen abused seen to be misguided
17 stand i.e. stand in
18 presently immediately
19 motley the traditional multicolored costume of the fool
23 altogether fool entirely foolish (the Fool replies to the sense of “the only fool”)
