King Lear (Saddleback's Illustrated Classics)

King Lear William Shakespeare

Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 Website: www.sdlback.com

Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM

Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 Website: www.sdlback.com

Copyright © 2006 by Saddleback Educational Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. ISBN 1-59905-149-4

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William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon, England, the third child of John Shakespeare, a well-to-do merchant, and Mary Arden, his wife. Young William probably attended the Stratford grammar school, where he learned English, Greek, and a great deal of Latin. Historians aren’t sure of the exact date of Shakespeare’s birth. In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. By 1583 the couple had a daughter, Susanna, and two years later the twins, Hamnet and Judith. Somewhere between 1585 and 1592 Shakespeare went to London, where he became first an actor and then a playwright. His acting company, The King’s Men, appeared most often in the Globe theater, a part of which Shakespeare himself owned. In all, Shakespeare is believed to have written thirty-seven plays, several nondramatic poems, and a number of sonnets. In 1611 when he left the active life of the theater, he returned to Stratford and became a country gentleman, living in the second-largest house in town. For five years he lived a quiet life. Then, on April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare died and was buried in Trinity Church in Stratford. From his own time to the present, Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers of the English-speaking world.

William Shakespeare

King Lear

king lear

goneril

kent

edgar

regan

edmund

cordelia

gloucester

king lear

Nearly two thousand years ago, old King Lear ruled Britain. He had three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia.

Lear had always been a man who acted without thinking things through. Because of this, he was about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life.



10

One day in the palace, the Earls of Kent and of

I thought the king liked Goneril’s husband, the duke of Albany, Better than the duke of Cornwall who’s married to Regan.

gloucester were talking.

I always thought so.

I see!

But now that he is going to divide his kingdom, he’ll give an equal share to each of them.

Is not this

Yes,

your son?

though I was once ashamed to admit* it.

* say that something is so

king lear

I don’t

Why, his

You must be

Oh, yes. I have

understand.

mother had

proud of him now!

a legal* son, a

a son be-

year older than

fore she had

this one—and I

a husband!

love them both.

But that was a long time ago.

Edmund, this

I am happy to

is the duke of

meet you, sir.

Kent, a good friend.

Listen! The King is coming.

* according to the law

11

12

At the sound of trumpets, King Lear entered with his court.

The King of France and the duke of Burgundy are outside, Gloucester. Bring them in.

I will sir.

king lear

Without waiting

I am old and

for his visi-

tired of the

tors, the old

troubles

King made his

of ruling a

announcement.*

Kingdom.

Look at this map. I’ve divided my kingdom into three parts. The daughter who says she loves me the most shall have the largest part.

* a statement made before a group of people

I want to give up my throne and let my daughters rule!

13

14

Goneril, you are the oldest. What do you say?

Dear Father, I love you more than words can say!

More than my eyes. . . more than my health. . . more than life itself!

I love you as much as any child ever loved a father!

king lear

I am pleased! I will

Thank you, dear

give you and your

father.

children all the rich land between these lines on the map.

Then King Lear turned to

I feel as

his second daughter.

my sister does.

Now our dearest Regan, wife of the Duke of Cornwall. . . what do you say?

She describes*

Nothing else in the world

my love for you

means anything to me com-

exactly—but she

pared** to my father’s love!

says too little.

* explains, shows, tells about ** showing how two things are alike or different

15

16

But Cordelia,

What do I do? I

the King’s

love my father

youngest

more than they do.

daughter, was unhappy at what her sisters said.

But I can’t speak of

If my father

my love. I can’t lie and

doesn’t know

flatter* him, as they do.

that I love him, then I can’t help it!

* make someone think he is better than he really is

king lear

While Cordelia

To you and

was thinking these

your children,

thoughts, the old

Regan, I give

King answered

this third of

Regan.

my Kingdom,

17

no less than I gave Goneril!

Then, he turned to Cordelia, his youngest and favorite* daughter.

Now my greatest joy. . . courted**

Nothing, dear father.

by the leaders of France and Burgundy. What do you say, Cordelia?

Nothing? Nothing

It makes me unhappy. . . but I

will get you noth-

can’t tell you my love in words.

ing! Speak again!

* best loved ** sought after in marriage

18

You’re my father. You’ve raised

I don’t see how my sisters can say

me and loved me. I obey you, love

they love only you. What about

you, and honor* you.

their husbands?

When I marry,

I cannot do

I shall give my

what they

husband half my

say they do.

love and care.

* respect

king lear

You mean all this? You

So young,

are so young, but so

Father, but

hard-hearted?

so truthful!

19

Then let your truth be your inheritance!* From now on you are a stranger to me! You shall have

nothing!

Quiet, Kent! Don’t come between me and my anger. I loved Cordelia most, but now I disown** her!

* whatever a child receives at his parents’ death ** have nothing more to do with

But, sir. . .

20

I’ll divide my kingdom between Goneril and Regan. I’ll live with each of them in turn, with a hundred knights to serve me.

But the Earl of Kent protested.*

I have honored

You are acting foolishly.

you as my King. . .

Cordelia does not love you any

loved you like a

less than the others!

father. But I can’t let you make such a mistake!

Stop, Kent, if you want to go on living!

* objected, did not agree

king lear

I’m not afraid

Out of my

You have five days in which to

to lose my life

sight, or I’ll

leave my kingdom! If you’re

for you, sir.

kill you myself!

found here after that, you’ll

21

be killed. Then goodbye, my king.

May the gods

And may your acts

protect you, dear

prove your words

truthful daughter.

of love!

With this the Earl of Kent left, banished* from Lear’s Kingdom.

* sent away forever

22

Soon afterward,

Welcome, France

the trumpets an-

and Burgundy!

nounced that the King of France and the duke of Burgundy were entering the room. both wished to marry cordelia.

My Lord of Bur-

Only what

I no longer love her. She will have

gundy, what is

you have

nothing! Take her or leave her as

the least you ask

already

she is.

as a dower* in

offered

order to marry

me, sir.

my daughter?

Then, sir. . . I must leave her.

* money given to a daughter and her husband when she is married

king lear

And you, great

Only because you are

King! Since I now

angry with her? That

hate my daughter,

makes me love her more

you’d best look

than ever!

elsewhere for a wife!

Fair Cordelia, I will make you my queen and the queen of France! Tell them goodbye and come with me!

23

24

She is yours. I’ll never see her again! Be gone, without my love and my blessing.

Saying this, Lear left the room with the dukes of Cornwall, Albany, and Gloucester.

Tell your

I leave our father to your care.

sisters

Give him the love you say you

goodbye.

feel for him.

Since you now have Don’t tell us

nothing, you’d better

what to do!

think about pleasing your new husband!

king lear

And so

Why should I

Cordelia

Meanwhile, in Gloucester’s

suffer because

went to

castle, his son Edmund plotted

my mother was

France and

against his half-brother** Edgar.

not married to

Kent was

my father? Why

exiled.* King

should Edgar

Lear gave up

get everything?

his powers to Goneril and Regan.

And this letter I have written No! I must have

will get it

Edgar’s land

for me!

for myself!

* sent away ** a brother who shares only one parent with another brother or sister

25

26

Edmund’s father,

Hello,

What were

Gloucester, entered.

Edmund.

you reading?

What’s new?

Why did you hide it when I came in?

It’s nothing! Only a letter from my brother. . . not fit for you to read.

Nothing, dear father.

If it’s

Very well. Perhaps

Gloucester

“Old men own

nothing,

Edgar wrote it

read the let-

everything.

it won’t

only to test my

ter aloud.

They keep our

matter!

loyalty* to you.

fortunes

Give it to

from us until

me.

we are too old to enjoy them.”

* the act of remaining faithful in hard times

king lear

“If my father should die soon,

“If my father should die

I would give you half of his

soon. . . I would give you half

fortune. Your brother, Edgar.”

his fortune. . .” Edgar wrote

27

this? Who brought it to you?

I found it thrown in at my window.

Is this his handwriting?

Yes. I hope his heart is not in it. But I’ve heard him say such things before.

I don’t know. MayOh, how could

be you misjudge*

he? where is

him. I’ll find him

he?

and test him out.

* believe someone to be different from what he really is

28

I will work it so you can

Yes, do. He

hear us talk unseen. This very

can’t be such

evening!

a monster!

Soon afterward, Edgar entered the

Two hours

Was he angry

room.

ago. why?

with you at all?

Hello, brother

When did you

Edmund!

speak with our father last?

Well, he is angry with No, of course

you now! You must

not!

keep out of his way!

king lear

Someone

That’s what I am

Here is the key. Stay there until

must have

afraid of. Go to my

you hear from me.

lied about

room until he has

me!

time to cool off.

Is it that bad?

I think he

I can’t believe

As Edgar went

A father who

is angry

it! But let me

away, Edmund

believes too

enough to

know what

smiled an evil

easily, and

kill you! If

happens.

smile.

a brother

you do go outside, go armed!

too noble* to be suspicious**. . . I’ll soon have his fortune!

* good and honest ** thinking evil of someone

29

30

It was several

My father is old and foolish.

days later. King

He gave away his powers, but

Lear and his

he still tries to give orders. I

knights were

won’t stand for it!

staying with Goneril and the duke of Albany. Goneril spoke with Oswald, her servant.

His knights cause trouble. And he’s never

Yes, madam.

Tell him I’m sick. Tell the other servants not to wait on him. And treat his knights the same way!

happy with what we give him.

Very well,

When he returns

madam.

from hunting, I won’t see him!

king lear

If he doesn’t like it, let him go to my sister’s!

Meanwhile the earl of Kent, disguised* as a stranger, arrived at

I am ready for

Yes, Sir.

dinner and I don’t want to wait. see to it!

Goneril’s home. He was worried about the old king and wanted to be near him.

What’s this?

An honest fel-

Very well.

Who are

low who wishes

But where’s

you?

to serve you.

my dinner? Where’s my daughter?

* dressed to look like someone else

31

32

at that mo-

Whenever he saw his oldest daughter, she looked

ment, the ser-

angry. One day he could take it no longer.

vant oswald entered the

Daughter, why

Why shouldn’t I? Your

room. But In-

do you frown so

Fool makes fun of

stead of serv-

much?

us. your knights make

ing the King, he

trouble. Get rid of

walked away

them at once! All you

again. Lear

need here are a few

began to see

old men to serve you!

that Goneril and her servants had no respect for his wishes. How can you say that to me? I have another daughter. . . I’ll go to her! Saddle my horses!

But as Lear prepared to leave for Regan’s castle, Goneril

While all this was happening, Edmund continued to plot against Edgar.

made plans of her own.

But I’ve done

Take this letter to

You must go! Not

my sister. Tell her

only our father

everything! Then

is looking for

hurry back.

you, but Regan and the duke of Cornwall are too! They’re coming here now!

nothing to hurt them!

king lear

33

Father’s coming. Quick, draw your sword! I must pretend to fight you!

Now get away,

I’ll stab my-

brother, quickly. . .

self—pretend

or they’ll catch

that Edgar has

you!

hurt me!

Light, here! Torches! Father! help!

Where is he?

34

He’s run away.

When he

When he couldn’t. . .

couldn’t what?

Make me promise

I can hardly

to murder you.

believe it!

When I wouldn’t agree, he wounded* me.

But he will be

Cornwall and his lady arrived

caught and

tonight. He’ll have Edgar out-

killed! We’ll

lawed** in all his lands! And you,

reward who-

my loyal son, will take your

ever catches

brother’s place!

him. And it will be death for anyone who hides him!

* injured, cut ** hunted as a criminal

king lear

Soon the

35

And then they explained why they had come.

duke of Cornwall

My father and Goneril are

You are

and Regan

angry with each other. If

always

arrived.

the king brings his knights

welcome

Hearing

to my house, I wish to be

here.

Edmund’s

away!

story, they agreed that Edgar should be caught and punished.

Messengers

I will do

can come and

anything I

go with letters

can.

from both of them. But meanwhile, we need your advice.*

At dawn, two

Why, you’re the same rascal**

messengers

who was so rude to the king

arrived outside.

at Goneril’s palace!

One was Kent, still disguised, with a letter from Lear, and the other was Oswald with one from Goneril.

* help ** dishonest person

I want nothing to do with you!

36

I suppose you carry

No! Help!

If you won’t

Help! Help!

letters against the

Leave me

fight, I’ll beat

Murder!

King, taking Goner-

alone!

you! Take that!

il’s side. Draw your sword!

What’s the

Peace! Stop at

matter?

once!

It’s the messengers from Goneril and the King.

king lear

Why were you

I am angry

fighting this

that such a

man?

person should

37

wear a sword! He doesn’t look honest. I don’t like his face.

Perhaps you don’t

Frankly, I

like mine. . . or his,

have seen

or hers?

better faces in my time. . .

Bring out

Sir, I am here

It shows

You’ll sit there

the stocks!*

on the King’s

little re-

until noon!

We’ll teach

business.

spect to him

this old

to put me in

I’d say

man some

the stocks!

until

manners!

night. . . and all night, too.

* a wooden frame in which a person to be punished must sit for a certain time

38

Please, sir. . . the King won’t

I’ll answer

Come away,

to him!

husband.

like it that his messenger is so badly treated. . .

While Kent had been left in the

My new servant is being

Your son-

punished? What does this

in-law and

mean? Who did it?

daughter, sir.

stocks, King Lear arrived at Regan’s Castle. Finding her gone, he went to Gloucester’s.

My daughter? Where is she? I must see

Seeing the King, Gloucester rushed outside to greet him.

her at once! where is my

They know you are

daughter and her

here. . . they are

husband?

tired. Be patient! They will see you later.

king lear

At last Regan

I am glad to see

came to her

you, dear father.

Oh, Regan. . . I hope so!

father.

Your sister has been so unkind. You won’t believe it!

I don’t believe she

What?

39

Sir, you are old! You must

would do less than

be guided by others. Go

her duty to you. If

back to my sister. Tell her

she said that your

you were wrong.

knights were making trouble, it was with good reason!

What? Ask her

Should I say,

to forgive

“Dear daugh-

me? Should

ter, forgive

I go on my

me for being

knees to her?

old. I beg you for food, bed and clothing!”

40

Just then a trumpet sounded. Get up! You must not act that way!

whose trumpet

My sister’s! She

call is that?

said she would soon be here.

I won’t go back to her!

Goneril entered. Soon it be-

Or come to me,

Or why even

came clear to Lear that neither

with only twenty-

one knight?

of these daughters wanted him.

five knights. You

Our servants

don’t need so

will wait on

many.

you.

Go home to Goneril with half of your

Never!

knights, and she will receive you!

Oh, heavens, help me! I must not go mad from anger and old age!

king lear

with that, king lear threw up his hands and rushed away. he could not believe that his two daughters had turned against him.

I would rather

Go, then,

live outdoors

Old man!

than under your

We must go in. A storm is coming! But, sir. . .

roof! Heaven will give me my revenge!*

Gloucester followed King Lear a

But there’s

His men will

short way, but he soon returned.

not even a

take care of

bush for

him. Shut your

shelter

doors and lock

near here!

them tight!

The King is very angry.

It’s his own fault.

He’s leaving. Where will he go?

Maybe it will teach him a lesson.

Regan advises you well! It is a wild night. come inside.

* getting even with someone

41

42

During the night the storm raged.

Listen! The

On the heath,* Kent met one of the

dukes of

King’s men.

Albany and Cornwall

Where is the

Out in the

King?

storm. . . with

are plotting against each other. Goneril

only his Fool for

and Regan each

company!

want the whole kingdom! But help is coming for the King.

Cordelia is in

I’ll go

Meanwhile, inside the castle,

Dover with a

quickly!

Gloucester talked with Edmund.

French army. Take this ring, go to her there, and tell her what’s happening.

They’re cruel to the old

That’s

King. They give

very bad!

the orders in my own castle. Now they’re fighting among themselves!

* a wild, marshy area

king lear

And I’ve just heard that a

It’s dangerous, but I must go

French army is coming to help

and find the King and help him.

the king. I am on the old king’s

Tell the duke I am ill and in bed.

43

side if I die for it! Yes, Father.

Meanwhile the storm still raged.

At least it’s

No, I must put up with what the

something. Please

poor have suffered all these

go inside, sir!

years, when I never knew how

Kent found

it was.

the King and led him

There’s a

to a hut.

ghost inside here! Help me!

The “ghost”

Go away!

Have his daugh-

was Edgar.

ters brought him

To escape,

to this sad state?

he has disguised himself as a mad beggar.

44

Lear finally

Sir, I won’t obey your

First I must talk

decided to

daughters! Let me give

with this wise man

enter the hut

you a place to stay.

here.

and get warm. But before he could do so, Gloucester found him.

Listen to him. I

Can you

am afraid he is

blame him?

losing his mind.

His daughters are trying to kill him!

During

Here is the letter my

this time,

father had. It proves

Glouces-

that he is helping

ter had not

France against you!

recognized* his son Edgar. And meanwhile in his castle, the son he trusted was betraying** him!

* knew from seeing someone before ** doing evil to someone who trusts him

I will get even with him! And you will become the Earl in his place! Find him so we may capture him!

king lear

At last the King

I’ve overheard a plot to kill the

Yes!

entered the hut,

King! Quick, put him on a stretch-

Cordelia is

and Gloucester

er and carry him to Dover!

there with

went away. But

a French

soon he re-

army!

turned.

The King was carried away.

Evil man. Where

What letters have

I have

is the King?

you had from france?

done nothing

But the next

wrong.

morning

The French

Gloucester

armies

was captured

come

and brought

only to

to the duke

protect

of Cornwall.

the King from his cruel children!

I shall see

You’ll never see

scratch

revenge

it! You’ll have

Them out.

from heaven

no eyes!

overtake such children!

In a moment Cornwall had blinded Gloucester in one eye.

45

46

But as

Sir, I’ve served

Cornwall and the servant

Cornwall

you all my life,

fought. Cornwall was wounded.

moved to

but I can’t let

attack

you do this

again. . .

cruel thing!

I’m hurt!

Husband, give me your sword!

Die, you

I’m dying! But you

Even though he was hurt, Cornwall

peasant!*

have one eye left, sir.

blinded Gloucester’s other eye.

Not for

What do you

Everything’s

long!

see now, old

dark! Where’s my

man?

son Edmund?

Edmund? He hates you!

* a person of low class

king lear

47

It was Ed-

then Edgar has

Put Gloucester

Help me

mund who

been true to me!

outside the gates.

Regan. I’m

showed us

Let him smell his

badly hurt!

the letter

way to Dover.

you had!

It’s, Tom

You must leave me,

the mad

friend, for you’ll be in

man.

trouble! But who is here?

Gloucester was put outside. A very old man came by and helped him. Soon they met Edgar, still dressed like a mad beggar.

Then the mad can lead

I’ve lost my

the blind. . . If Tom

good wits, sir,

knows the way to Dover.

but I can lead you where you want to go.

And so, unknown to Gloucester, the son who truly loved him became his guide.

48

The next day, Goneril and Edmund returned to Albany’s

Albany was

castle.

a kind, just man. When he

Where is the duke?

Inside, but very

heard how

changed! When he

the old king

heard a French

and Glouces-

army had landed,

ter had been

he was pleased!

treated, he was angry. His love for Goneril had that moment turned to hate.

Then you must

And take this kiss

I’m yours

go back to

to remember me

until death!

Cornwall. Help

by! You’ll hear

them get their

from me soon.

army ready to fight the French.

Finding Edmund very much like herself, Goneril had fallen in love with him.

As Edmund

Cornwall has

Then he has been

left, the

died from his

punished for his

And Regan’s a

wound!

cruel actions!

widow,* free to

duke of Albany

marry Edmund,

entered the

whom I love!

room. And almost at the same time, a messenger arrived.

* a woman whose husband has died

king lear

Meanwhile,

The King is too ashamed

Cordelia and

to see Cordelia. He

the French

is wandering outside

were in Dover.

somewhere.

49

He must be found and cared for!

Kent and King Lear had arrived safely, although from what he had suffered, the King was now half-mad.

At the same time, Edgar and

I will live

Gloucester had also arrived in

no longer!

Dover.

If Edgar is still alive,

Good madman, are

We are!

we on the edge of

It makes

the high cliff I spoke

me dizzy

about before?

to look

may he be blessed!

down!

But knowing that his father would try to kill himself, Edgar had brought him to a flat place instead.

And believing he was on a high cliff, Gloucester jumped.

50

Then he fainted. Edgar held him

I saw you

If the gods have

until he came to himself again.

fall! It is

saved me, then I

a miracle*

will stay alive,

I was here at the

that you

even with no eyes.

foot of a high

are still

cliff when you

alive!

Where am I? Did I fall? Who are you?

jumped!

Just then King Lear came upon

Look, look. . . a

I know that

mouse! Draw your

voice—it’s

swords!

the King!

them, and they could tell that he was mad.

Edgar and

Here he is! Take

Gloucester

him gently!

Sir, your loving

Am I a

daughter. . .

prisoner? Treat me

listened

well. I am

sadly

a King.

as the mad King raved. Then Cordelia’s men found him.

* a wonderful happening that can’t be explained or understood

king lear

But first you

How sad it is

Tell me—are the

must catch me! Ha,

to see him like

armies nearby?

Ha, ha Ha!

this! But one daughter still loves him.

The troops

Then I

of Albany and

must take

Cornwall are

this good

very near.

old man

There’ll be a

to a safe

great battle

place.

soon.

Here is the prize that

I warn you-

Some time before,

will make me rich! Out

don’t come

Goneril had given

of my way, peasant!

near the old

Oswald an important letter for Edmund. And Regan had promised Oswald a reward for finding and killing Gloucester. just as Edgar and Gloucester were leaving, Oswald came upon them.

man!

51

52

But Oswald would not listen.

As Oswald died, Edgar read the

They fought and Oswald received

letter.

a fatal* wound. “You have many chances to kill my husband and free me! RememI’m dying! But take

ber our vows of love and return

the letter you find

to marry me. Your loving Gon-

on my body to

eril.” So that is what’s happening!

Edmund, Earl of

I will make use of this at a later

Gloucester. He’ll

time!

reward you!

Meanwhile, Lear had at last been

Doctor! How

Still sleeping. But

led to the nearby French camp.

is the King?

I think you might wake him up now.

Dear Kent, my

I was happy to

life will be too

help him, madam!

short to repay you for your goodness to my father!

* leading to death

king lear

Lear was

How are you, sir?

carried in.

Do you know me?

I am a foolish old man. . . eighty years and more. my mind is not clear!

I should know

Don’t cry! I know

No cause,

you and this

you can’t love

sir! I do love

man. Don’t

me. . . I gave you

you!

laugh. . . I think

cause to hate me!

you are my child, Cordelia.

His madness is

Come with me,

gone. He is much

Father.

better. Now he should rest.

53

54

In the British Camp, Edmund and Regan waited for Albany

Cornwall’s

and Goneril to arrive with their army.

death had made

I don’t trust

My feelings for

Regan a

Albany! And my

your sister are

widow.

sister. . . are

most honorable!*

She was

you in love with

jealous**

her?

of Goneril because she was now in love with Edmund too. I will not fight Cordelia

Well

There’s Regan.

and our King—only against

spoken,

I’d rather

Goneril

the French armies who have

sir!

lose the

arrived.

entered our land.

Soon Albany and

battle than lose Edmund to her!

Before you fight the battle, But the sisters

read this letter. And if you need

could not worry

me to prove the truth of it,

about Edmund

have someone call for me!

at the moment. As they left for Albany’s tent to plan their battle, Edgar entered dressed as a peasant.

* correct, the way something is supposed to be ** wanting what someone else has

king lear

At this Edgar left and Edmund

Both sisters love me and are

returned.

jealous. Regan is already a widow, but Albany may die in battle! Which

The enemy’s

We are

here! Get ready.

ready!

one shall I choose?

well in any case, lear and Cordelia must die, even though Albany will protect them.

Come quick. . . I’ll Soon the

lead you to safety!

armies met

The French are beaten!

in battle. In

Cordelia and Lear are

a short time

captured!

everything was over, and Edgar rushed back to Gloucester.

Come! We two will

In the British

Take them away

camp, Edmund was

to prison!

in charge.

live like birds in a cage together!

55

56

Take this note.

I’ll do it,

The prisoners

Do what it says,

sir!

were led away,

and your fortune

but Edmund had

will be made!

more plans for them.

Where are Lear

They are

Then the other

and Cordelia?

under

leaders arrived.

I must see

guard. . .

that they are

ready

well treated.

when you want them, brother.

You fought well

He led my

Only if he

Edmund, but you

troops for me!

marries you!

are not my brother

He can call you

And he’ll

or my equal.*

brother!

never do that!

* someone of the same class

king lear

That’s what you think! I’ll give him my armies,

Well, you won’t have him for long!

Oh! Suddenly,

If not, I’ll never

I feel very

trust medicine

sick!

again!

my land, everything! He’ll be my lord and master!

Goneril thought this because she had poisoned her sister!

If no one else

And I will

can prove this,

defend

Edmund, I arrest you

I’ll fight you

myself!

for treason*. . . and my

myself!

Suddenly the angry Albany spoke.

wife as well, since she helped you!

* acting against one’s own country

57

58

If any other man will fight Edmund, the Earl of After this,

Gloucester, to prove him a traitor, let him appear

Regan was

now! Otherwise, the duke of Albany will do so!

helped away. Albany prepared to fight Edmund as the law required.*

You have done wrong to

Whoever

As the

your brother and your

you are,

trumpets

father; you have plotted

my sword

sounded

against this Prince. My

will prove

through the

sword will prove it!

that you lie!

camp, Edgar appeared.

This proves The two

Shut your

nothing! You

men fought.

mouth,

were tricked!

woman, or

Edmund was wounded.

I’ll stop it with this paper!

* made necessary

king lear

This is your

Don’t ask me such

letter to

questions!

59

Edmund, telling him to kill me. Do you recognize it?

With that, Goneril rushed away!

I am guilty* of all

I am Edgar. . .

Welcome,

Then, suffer-

you’ve said, and more.

your father’s

good

ing from his

But who are you?

son.

Gloucester.

wound and fearing that he would die, Edmund was suddenly sorry for all he had done.

Where have you hidden? How did you know of your father’s troubles?

I was disguised as a mad beggar. And I’ve cared for him since he was blinded.

* having done something wrong

Only half an hour ago I told him the truth, asked his blessing. . . and he died.

60

But just before,

And where

He has

another man came

has he been?

followed

in and hugged my

the King in

father. It was Kent!

disguise and served him.

Just then a servant

Help! Help!

What does

Who is

rushed in.

She’s dead!

that bloody

dead?

knife mean?

Speak, man!

Goneril, sir. . . she stabbed

Bring their

Here comes

herself! And she has

bodies here.

Kent.

poisoned her sister! she Confessed* It!

* admitted

king lear

There is no time to

I’m looking for

greet you properly,

the King. Isn’t

Kent, but welcome

he here?

anyway.

The King! I forgot! Edmund, where’s

Perhaps I can do

the King? Where’s Cordelia?

some good before I die. Send to the castle, quick! Lear and Cordelia are to be killed.

Your wife and I gave or-

Run for

I hope she

ders. . . to hang Corde-

your life!

is safe!

lia. . . and to say she did

Carry

it herself! Go quickly!

Edmund away.

61

62

But it was

Cry out, you men of stone! She’s gone

Oh, my dear

too late.

forever! Cordelia! Cordelia!

master!

Cordelia, stay!

It’s true,

What are you

gentlemen, he

saying? I killed

did.

the man that was hanging you.

My poor dear is dead. I’ll

He fainted! Help

never see her again. . . never,

him!

never, never, never, never!

king lear

It’s too

He is gone

Carry them

late. He is

indeed.

away gently.

dead. It’s a wonder he has suffered so much.

Our job is to pick up the pieces. You

My heart

two must rule this kingdom now.

is broken. I must

No, sir. Edgar must rule alone.

follow my master soon, on a long journey to death.

Lear,

Yes, I will rule this land. And nothing like

Cordelia,

this shall ever happen again!

Gloucester, Edmund, Regan, Goneril—all were dead. For those who were left, only a sad funeral march remained.

63

King Lear

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King Lear

Lear, the aging king, decides to relinquish his throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters as determined by their affirmations of love. Enraged and disappointed over daughter Cordelia’s declaration, he banishes her and divides his kingdom equally between her two sisters. Jealousy and pride consume the two as they seek to control the kingdom. Treachery and betrayal lead to tragedy as the king slowly loses his grip on reality.

King Lear

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