The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. (3.4.146)

  In Edgar's vanquishing of Oswald, which is the triumph of the lowly and the unprepossessing over the world of robes and furred gowns, Lear's great social speeches are enacted and answered.

  A similar intention, to effect on stage a symbolic tableau, dictates the grouping of the protagonists at the end of the play. All are there in the resolution, occupying, I think, the same positions they assumed at first, and not least the wicked sisters, whose dead bodies are brought on, no doubt to exemplify this judgment of the heavens, but more, to direct the attention of the audience back and back, over all the dreadful ground that has been traced, to the opening scene. In their beginning is their ending. Perhaps the great wheel of the play, now come full circle, is impelled in its progress by something more than mechanical law.

  What this other law may be is the central question Shakespeare poses and endeavors to answer. Lear, as is fitting, is made to enunciate it: "Who is it that can tell me who I am?" (1.4.236) But the question is not peculiar to Lear but is implicit in the utterance and conduct of all those who inhabit the darkness with him. Kent as Caius is interrogated by the King: What art thou?

  A man, sir. (10-11)

  But what is it, to be a man? What is man to profess? To what law are his services bound? Gloucester interrogates Edgar: "Now, good sir, what are you?" and is answered: A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows,

  Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,

  Am pregnant to good pity. (4.6.224-25)

  Cornwall, whose disposition will not be rubbed or stopped, does not manifest that pity. It is ascendant, though tardily, in Gloucester, who, if he dies for it, must relieve his master. Why is that? And why had Kent rather break his own heart than the King's? How does one construe that fitness to which Albany appeals, in declining to let his hands obey his blood; or that pleasure, a more intriguing word, which inclines the Old Man to succor the blinded Gloucester, "Come on't what will"? What point inheres in Albany's characterization of Oswald, as Oswald reports it: he called me sot,

  And told me I had turned the wrong side out; (4.2.8-9)

  and in what manner does it comment on the Captain's decision to collaborate in the killing of the King and Cordelia: If it be man's work, I'll do it. (5.3.40)

  There ought here to ensue a brief though perceptible silence, in token of the irony and expectation with which these laconic words are charged. The dramatist is bidding us essay a definition of the nature of man's work and, concomitantly, of the nature of man. Edmund, with his customary coldbloodedness, addresses himself to the task: men

  Are as the time is. (31-32)

  Kent speaks to it, describing Oswald:

  A tailor made thee. (2.2.55-56)

  So in whimsical ways does the Fool, begging pardon of Goneril: Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint stool; (3.6.51)

  and also the King, whose confusion is at once real and assumed: Your name, fair gentlewoman? (1.4.242)

  and, in sterner ways, the Servant, drawing his sword against Cornwall: Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. (3.7.79-80)

  To divine the way in which these lines reticulate is to resolve at least a corner of the mystery which is the play.

  --RUSSELL FRASER

  University of Michigan

  [DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  Lear, King of Britain

  King of France

  Duke of Burgundy

  Duke of Cornwall, husband to Regan

  Duke of Albany, husband to Goneril

  Earl of Kent

  Earl of Gloucester

  Edgar, son to Gloucester

  Edmund, bastard son to Gloucester

  Curan, a courtier

  Oswald, steward to Goneril

  Old Man, tenant to Gloucester Doctor

  Lear's Fool

  A Captain, subordinate to Edmund Gentlemen, attending on Cordelia

  A Herald

  Servants to Cornwall

  Goneril

  Regan } daughters to Lear

  Cordelia

  Knights attending on Lear, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, Attendants

  Scene: Britain]

  The Tragedy of King Lear

  ACT 1

  Scene 1. [King Lear's palace.]

  Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund.

  Kent I thought the King had more affected01 the Duke of Albanydeg than Cornwall.

  Gloucester. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most, for equalities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.deg

  Kent. Is not this your son, my lord?

  Gloucester. His breeding,deg sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazeddeg to't.

  Kent. I cannot conceivedeg you.

  Gloucester. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

  1 The degree sign (deg) indicates a footnote, which is keyed to the text by line number. Text references are printed in boldface type; the annotation follows in roman type. 1.1.1 affected loved

  2 Albany Albanacte, whose domain extended "from the river Humber to the point of Caithness" (Holinshed)

  5-7 equalities... moiety i.e., shares are so balanced against one another that careful examination by neither can make him wish the other's portion

  9 breeding upbringing

  11 brazed made brazen, hardened

  12 conceive understand (pun follows)

  Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issuedeg of it being so proper.deg

  Gloucester. But I have a son, sir, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account:deg though this knavedeg came something saucilydeg to the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whoresondeg must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?

  Edmund No, my lord.

  Gloucester. My Lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter as my honorable friend.

  Edmund My services to your lordship.

  Kent. I must love you, and suedeg to know you better.

  Edmund. Sir, I shall study deserving.

  Gloucester. He hath been outdeg nine years, and away he shall again. The King is coming. Sound a sennet. deg Enter one bearing a coronet, deg then King Lear, then the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany, next Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants.

  Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.

  Gloucester. I shall, my lord. Exit [with Edmund].

  Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.deg Give me the map there. Know that we have divided

  In three our kingdom; and 'tis our fastdeg intent

  To shake all cares and business from our age,

  Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 17 issue result (child)

  18 proper handsome

  21 account estimation

  21 lame fellow (without disapproval)

  22 saucily (1) insolently (2) lasciviously

  24 whoreson fellow (lit, son of a whore)

  31 sue entreat

  33 out away, abroad

  34 s.d. sennet set of notes played on a trumpet, signalizing the entrance or departure of a procession

  34 s.d. coronet small crown, intended for Cordelia

  38 darker purpose hidden intention

  40 fast fixed

  Unburthened crawl toward death. Our son of

  Cornwall,

  And you our no less loving son of Albany,

  We have this hour a constant will to publishdeg

  Our daughters' severaldeg dowers, that future strife

  May be preventeddeg now. The Princes, France and

  Burgundy,

  Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,

  Long in our court have made their amorous sojour
n,

  And here are to be answered. Tell me, my daughters

  (Since now we will divest us both of rule,

  Interestdeg of territory, cares of state),

  Which of you shall we say doth love us most,

  That we our largest bounty may extend

  Where nature doth with merit challenge.deg Goneril,

  Our eldest-born, speak first.

  Goneril. Sir, I love you more than word can wielddeg the matter; Dearer than eyesight, spacedeg and liberty;

  Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;

  No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor;

  As much as child e'er loved, or father found;

  A love that makes breathdeg poor, and speech

  unable:deg

  Beyond all manner of so muchdeg I love you.

  Cordelia. [Aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent.

  Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests, and with champains riched,deg With plenteous rivers, and wide-skirted meads,deg

  We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issuesdeg

  Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, 45 constant will to publish fixed intention to proclaim

  46 several separate

  47 prevented forestalled

  52 Interest legal right

  55 nature ... challenge i.e., natural affection contends with desert for (or lays claim to) bounty

  57 wield handle

  58 space scope

  62 breath language

  62 unable impotent

  63 Beyond ... much beyond all these comparisons

  66 champains riched enriched plains

  67 wide-skirted meads extensive grass-lands

  68 issuesdescendants

  69 perpetual in perpetuity

  Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? Speak.

  Regan. I am made of that self mettledeg as my sister, And prize me at her worth.deg In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love;deg

  Only she comes too short, thatdeg I profess

  Myself an enemy to all other joys

  Which the most precious square of sense

  professes,deg

  And find I am alone felicitatedeg

  In your dear Highness' love.

  Cordelia. [Aside] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so, since I am sure my love's More ponderousdeg than my tongue.

  Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,

  No less in space, validity,deg and pleasure

  Than that conferred on Goneril. Now, our joy,

  Although our last and least;deg to whose young love

  The vines of France and milkdeg of Burgundy

  Strive to be interest;deg what can you say to draw

  A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.

  Cordelia. Nothing, my lord.

  Lear. Nothing?

  Cordelia. Nothing.

  Lear. Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.

  Cordelia. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond,deg no more nor less.

  Lear. How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes.

  71 self mettle same material or temperament

  72 prize ... worth value me the same (imperative)

  73 my ... love what my love really is (a legalism)

  74 that in that

  76 Which ... professes which the choicest estimate of sense avows

  77 felicitate made happy 80 ponderous weighty

  83 validity value

  85 least youngest, smallest

  86 milk i.e. pastures

  87 interest closely connected, as interested parties

  95 bond i.e., filial obligation

  Cordelia. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, loved me. I Return those duties back as are right fit,deg

  Obey you, love you, and most honor you.

  Why have my sisters husbands, if they say

  They love you all? Haply,deg when I shall wed,

  That lord whose hand must take my plightdeg shall

  carry

  Half my love with him, half my care and duty.

  Sure I shall never marry like my sisters,

  To love my father all.

  Lear. But goes thy heart with this?

  Cordelia. Ay, my good lord.

  Lear. So young, and so untender?

  Cordelia So young, my lord, and true.

  Lear. Let it be so, thy truth then be thy dower! For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,

  The mysteries of Hecatedeg and the night,

  By all the operation of the orbsdeg

  From whom we do exist and cease to be,

  Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

  Propinquity and property of blood,deg

  And as a stranger to my heart and me

  Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous

  Scythian,deg

  Or he that makes his generation messesdeg

  To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom

  Be as well neighbored, pitied, and relieved,

  As thou my sometimedeg daughter.

  Kent. Good my liege--

  Lear. Peace, Kent! 99 Return ... fit i.e., am correspondingly dutiful

  102 Haply perhaps

  103 plight troth plight

  112 mysterles of Hecate secret rites of Hecate (goddess of the infernal world, and of witchcraft)

  113 operation of the orbs astrological influence

  116 Propinquity and property of blood relationship and common blood

  118 Scythlan (type of the savage)

  119 makes his generation messes eats his own offspring

  122 sometime former

  Come not between the Dragondeg and his wrath.

  I loved her most, and thought to set my restdeg

  On her kind nursery.deg Hence and avoid my sight!

  So be my grave my peace, as here I give

  Her father's heart from her! Call France. Who stirs?

  Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany,

  With my two daughters' dowers digestdeg the third;

  Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her.deg

  I do invest you jointly with my power,

  Pre-eminence, and all the large effects

  That troop with majesty. Ourself,deg by monthly

  course,

  With reservationdeg of an hundred knights,

  By you to be sustained, shall our abode

  Make with you by due turn. Only we shall retain

  The name, and all th' additiondeg to a king. The sway,

  Revenue, execution of the rest,

  Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm,

  This coronetdeg part between you.

  Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honored as my king, Loved as my father, as my master followed, As my great patron thought on in my prayers--

  Lear. The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft.deg

  Kent. Let it falldeg rather, though the forkdeg invade The region of my heart. Be Kent unmannerly

  When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old

  man?

  Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak

  124 Dragon (1) heraldic device of Britain (2) emblem of ferocity

  125 set my rest (1) stake my all (a term from the card game of primero) (2) find my test

  126 musery care, nursing

  130 digest absorb

  131 Let... her i.e., let her pride be her dowry and gain her a husband

  134-35 effects/That troop with majesty accompaniments that go with kingship

  134 Ourself (the royal "we")

  135 reservation the action of reserving a privilege (a legalism)

  138 addition titles and honors

  141 coronet (the crown which was to have been Cordelia's)

  145 make from the shaft avoid the arrow

  146 fall strike

/>   146 fork forked head of the arrow

  When power to flattery bows? To plainness honor's bound

  When majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state,deg

  And in thy best considerationdeg check This hideous rashness. Answer my life my

  judgment,deg

  Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least,

  Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sounds

  Reverbdeg no hollowness.deg

  Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more!

  Kent. My life I never held but as a pawndeg To wagedeg against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being motive.deg

  Lear. Out of my sight!

  Kent. See better, Lear, and let me stilldeg remain The true blankdeg of thine eye.

  Lear. Now by Apollo--

  Kent. Now by Apollo, King, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.

  Lear. O vassal! Miscreant!deg [Laying his hand on his sword.]

  Albany, Cornwall. Dear sir, forbear!

  Kent. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift,

  Or, whilst I can vent clamordeg from my throat,

  I'll tell thee thou dost evil.

  Lear. Hear me, recreant !deg On thine allegiance,deg hear me!

  That thou hast sought to make us break our vows, 151 Reserve thy state retain your kingly authority

  152 best consideration most careful reflection

  153 Answer ... judgement I will stake my life on my opinion

  156 Reverb reverberate

  156 hollowness (1) emptiness (2) insincerity

  157 pawn stake in a wager

  158 wage (1) wager (2) carry on war

  159 motive moving cause

  160 still always

  161 blank the white spot in die center of die target (at which Lear should aim)

  163 vassal! Miscreant! base wretch! Misbeliever!

  167 vent clamor utter a cry

  168 recreant traitor

  169 On thine allegiance (to forswear, which is to commit high treason)

  Which we durst never yet, and with straineddeg pride

  To come betwixt our sentencedeg and our power,

  Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,

  Our potency made good,deg take thy reward.

  Five days we do allot thee for provisiondeg