King Lear In Plain and Simple English (Digital Download)

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PURCHASE A COPY OF KING LEAR IN PLAIN AND SIMPLE ENGLISH NOW! Character Analysis Do you need to understand Shakespeare and want something more interactive? Try our free app, SwipeS peare! MODERN KING LEAR PLOT SUMMARY Shakespeare’s King Lear was based on a mythical story of an ancient king of pre-Christian Britain. The story likely had elements of truth to it, but Shakespeare presented it in a more contemporary format that his audiences could understand. ​King Lear, an aged monarch, has decided to divide his kingdom up among his three daughters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Goneril is married to the Duke of Albany and Regan to the Duke of Cornwall. Cordelia is still single, and two men are residing in court, competing for her hand in marriage (and her dowry) – the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy. When Lear calls his servants, retainers, court and family together he is pleased with the obsequious flattery he receives at the hand of his two older daughters, Goneril and Regan. He does not realize that they are probably already scheming to take away all of his power. Lear has decided to give control over to his daughters and their husbands but not to relinquish quite everything – he fully expects to retain some influence at court and be given the respect due a monarch of his age and experience.Lear’s third daughter, his favorite, Cordelia, refuses to use false flattery with her father and he is outraged and decides to cut her dowry down to a miniscule size. The King of France, smitten by Cordelia, wishes to marry her regardless, and they are sent from the kingdom back to France.In a subplot that mirrors the main story, one of Lear’s supporters, the Earl of Gloucester is soon betrayed by his illegitimate son Edmund – who tells him his legitimate son Edgar is plotting against it. Goneril and Regan have already turned against their father with the avid support of Regan’s husband the Duke of Cornwall. They alienate the Earl of Kent, who is sent away by Lear, believing him to be unfaithful to his King. In time, Gloucester is blinded by the Duke of Cornwall and is helped by his son Edgar, now banished and disguised as a peasant.One stormy night, after being bitterly disappointed by his second daughter, Regan, Lear blunders out into the night, ranting that he cannot take such treatment any longer. His Fool, formerly a servant of Cordelia’s, goes with him, and protects the King, who is clearly becoming unhinged. Eventually, they hide in a shelter with Edgar, who is posing as a peasant named Tom. In time, the news comes that the King of France has landed, coming to the aid of Lear. However, Edmund has managed to find enough troops to support his cause, and attacks the French at Dover. Cordelia is in the camp there, and is reunited with her father, and their differences resolved. Edmund takes Cordelia and Lear prisoner, and Gloucester and Edgar are also at Dover, and Gloucester dies, but not before Edgar reveals his true identity. Edmund defeats the French and orders Cordelia to be hanged, which brings on Lear’s sudden death. Meanwhile, Goneril has killed Regan and then herself as a result of their rivalry over Edmund.Edgar kills Edmund and now that all the protagonists are gone, it is left up to him, and the Earl of Kent to restore the kingdom. EXCERPT FROM KING LEAR IN PLAIN AND SIMPLE ENGLISH SCENE I. King Lear's palace. Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUNDKENTI thought the king had more affected the Duke ofAlbany than Cornwall.I thought the King preferred the Duke ofAlbany over Cornwall.GLOUCESTERIt did always seem so to us: but now, in thedivision of the kingdom, it appears not which ofthe dukes he values most; for equalities are soweighed, that curiosity in neither can make choiceof either's moiety.I always thought so too; but now, in the wayhe's split up the kingdom, one can't see which ofthe Dukes he prefers; it is so finelybalanced that neither would be able to saythat he prefers the other's portion.KENTIs not this your son, my lord?Isn't this your son, my lord?GLOUCESTERHis breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I haveso often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I ambrazed to it.He was brought up, Sir, at my expense: I haveso often been embarrassed to admit he's minethat now I'm quite hardened to it.KENTI cannot conceive you.I can't make you out.GLOUCESTERSir, this young fellow's mother could: whereuponshe grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, sir, a sonfor her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed.Do you smell a fault?Sir, this young fellow's mother could: and soher womb swelled and in fact she had a sonin the cradle before she had a husband in her bed.Do you think that's wrong?KENTI cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of itbeing so proper.I wouldn't wish it any different, given there'ssuch a good result.GLOUCESTERBut I have, sir, a son by order of law, some yearelder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account:though this knave came something saucily into theworld before he was sent for, yet was his motherfair; there was good sport at his making, and thewhoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know thisnoble gentleman, Edmund?But I have, sir, a legitimate son, a yearolder than this one, whom I don't rate as more important:although this scoundrel came rather cheekily intothe world before he was wanted, his mother wasbeautiful; conceiving him was good fun, and thebastard must be acknowledged. Do you know thisnoble gentleman, Edmund?EDMUNDNo, my lord.No, my lord.GLOUCESTERMy lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as myhonourable friend.The Earl of Kent: from now on always remember that he ismy honored friend.EDMUNDMy services to your lordship.At your Lordship's service.KENTI must love you, and sue to know you better.We must be friends, and I will try to get to know you better.EDMUNDSir, I shall study deserving.Sir, I shall try to deserve the compliment.GLOUCESTERHe hath been out nine years, and away he shallagain. The king is coming.Sennet. Enter KING LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and AttendantsHe's been abroad for nine years, and he'll begoing back. The King is coming.KING LEARAttend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.Go and look after the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.GLOUCESTERI shall, my liege.Exeunt GLOUCESTER and EDMUNDI shall, my lord.KING LEARMeantime we shall express our darker purpose.Give me the map there. Know that we have dividedIn three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intentTo shake all cares and business from our age;Conferring them on younger strengths, while weUnburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall,And you, our no less loving son of Albany,We have this hour a constant will to publishOur daughters' several dowers, that future strifeMay be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,--Since now we will divest us both of rule,Interest of territory, cares of state,--Which of you shall we say doth love us most?That we our largest bounty may extendWhere nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,Our eldest-born, speak first.In the meantime I shall reveal my secret plan.Give me that map. Be aware that I have dividedmy kingdom into three: I am determinedto throw off all work and duty in my old age;I will hand them over to younger men, while Icrawl towards death unencumbered. Our son Cornwall,and you, just as loving son Albany,I have determined that today I will announcethe different dowries of my daughters, so thatwe can nip any future disputes in the bud. The Princes of France and Burgundy,great rivals for the love of my youngest daughter,have been staying in my court, out of love, for a long time,and will be given my decision today. Tell me, my daughters–since I am now throwing off my kingship,ownership of land and the cares of state–which of you shall we say loves me the most?The biggest share will go to the one where merit most enhances nature. Goneril,my firstborn, you speak first.GONERILSir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;As much as child e'er loved, or father found;A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;Beyond all manner of so much I love you.Sir, I love you more than words can express;more than my eyesight, my freedom and my liberty;more than anything of value, expensive or rare;as much as life, grace, health, beauty, honor;I am the most loving child ever, no father could find better;my love makes me breathless and speechless;I love you beyond all expression.CORDELIA[Aside] What shall Cordelia do?Love, and be silent.What shall Cordelia do?You must love, and be silent.LEAROf all these bounds, even from this line to this,With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issueBe this perpetual. What says our second daughter,Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.All of this territory, from this line to this,full of shady forests and open plains,with many rivers and extensive meadows,we make you the lady of: this shall be handed down to your childrenin perpetuity. What does my second daughter say,dearest Regan, the wife of Cornwall? Speak.REGANSir, I am madeOf the self-same metal that my sister is,And prize me at her worth. In my true heartI find she names my very deed of love;Only she comes too short: that I professMyself an enemy to all other joys,Which the most precious square of sense possesses;And find I am alone felicitateIn your dear highness' love.Sir, I amidentical in this way to my sister,and of equal merit. She hasspoken everything that is in my heart,only she falls short: I have to saythat no other happiness means anything to me,nothing which the highest sense could feel;the only thing that makes me happyis your dear highness' love.CORDELIA[Aside] Then poor Cordelia!And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love'sMore richer than my tongue.This is bad for you Cordelia!And yet it isn't, since I'm sure that my loveis more than I can say.KING LEARTo thee and thine hereditary everRemain this ample third of our fair kingdom;No less in space, validity, and pleasure,Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy,Although the last, not least; to whose young loveThe vines of France and milk of BurgundyStrive to be interess'd; what can you say to drawA third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.You and your descendants for evershall have this large third of my beautiful country;it's no less spacious, profitable or lovelythan Goneril's share. Now, the light of my eye,last but not least; the one whose young lovethe Dukes of France and Burgundyare fighting to win; what can you say to geta richer third than your sisters? Speak.CORDELIANothing, my lord.Nothing, my lord.KING LEARNothing!Nothing!CORDELIANothing.Nothing.KING LEARNothing will come of nothing: speak again.You won't get anything for nothing: try again.CORDELIAUnhappy that I am, I cannot heaveMy heart into my mouth: I love your majestyAccording to my bond; nor more nor less.I'm sorry, but I cannot force myselfto express my feelings: I love your Majestyjust as I should; no more nor less.KING LEARHow, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little,Lest it may mar your fortunes.What's this, Cordelia! You should speak differently,or you'll talk yourself out of your fortune.CORDELIAGood my lord,You have begot me, bred me, loved me: IReturn those duties back as are right fit,Obey you, love you, and most honour you.Why have my sisters husbands, if they sayThey love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carryHalf my love with him, half my care and duty:Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,To love my father all.My good lord,you've fathered me, brought me up and loved me: Irepay you in the proper way,by obeying you, loving you and honoring you.Why do my sisters have husbands, if they saythat all their love is for you? When and if I marry,the lord who takes my hand will also gethalf my love, of my attention and care:I certainly will not marry like my sisters,only having love for my father.KING LEARBut goes thy heart with this?Are you speaking from the heart?CORDELIAAy, good my lord.Yes, my good lord.KING LEARSo young, and so untender?You're so young and so hardhearted?CORDELIASo young, my lord, and true.So young, my lord, and honest.KING LEARLet it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower:For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;By all the operation of the orbsFrom whom we do exist, and cease to be;Here I disclaim all my paternal care,Propinquity and property of blood,And as a stranger to my heart and meHold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian,Or he that makes his generation messesTo gorge his appetite, shall to my bosomBe as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved,As thou my sometime daughter.So be it; let your honesty be your dowry then:by the holy light of the sun,these secrets of the underworld and the night;by the movement of the starswhich mark our births and deaths;I hereby disown all my fatherly duties,family relations and blood ties,and declare that you are now a stranger to my heart and meforever, from this moment on. The barbarian Scythian,or the ones who make their parents into stewsto assuage their appetites, shall be as closeto my heart, just as helped and pitiedas you, who was once my daughter.KENTGood my liege,--My good Lord–KING LEARPeace, Kent!Come not between the dragon and his wrath.I loved her most, and thought to set my restOn her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight!So be my grave my peace, as here I giveHer father's heart from her! Call France; who stirs?Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany,With my two daughters' dowers digest this third:Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her.I do invest you jointly with my power,Pre-eminence, and all the large effectsThat troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course,With reservation of an hundred knights,By you to be sustain'd, shall our abodeMake with you by due turns. Only we still retainThe name, and all the additions to a king;The sway, revenue, execution of the rest,Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,This coronet part betwixt you.Giving the crownQuiet, Kent!Do not come between the Dragon and his victim.I loved her the most, and thought that shewould look after me in my retirement. Get out, don't let me see you again!There will be no peace this side of the grave, and I takeher father's heart away from her! Call France; who's going to do it?Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany,take this extra third along with my two daughters' dowries:let her marry her pride, which she calls honesty;I give you both my power to share,my superiority and all the other privilegesof kingship. I shall stay with you month and month aboutwith a retinue of a hundred knights, which you shall pay for.I shall keep the title of King, and the honours due to it;the power, income and administration of the restis yours, beloved sons: to confirm thisyou can split this crown between you. Show more