Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house?
Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house?
Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house?
Good dawning to thee, friend: art of thi
Ay.
Ay.
Ay.
Ay.
Where may we set our horses?
Where may we set our horses?
Where may we set our horses?
Where may we set our horses?
I’ the mire.
I’ the mire.
I’ the mire.
I’ the mire.
Prithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me.
Prithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me.
Prithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me.
Prithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me.
I love thee not.
I love thee not.
I love thee not.
I love thee not.
Why then, I care not for thee.
Why then, I care not for thee.
Why then, I care not for thee.
Why then, I care not for thee.
If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me.
If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me.
If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me.
If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I wou
Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.
Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.
Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.
Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee n
Fellow, I know thee.
Fellow, I know thee.
Fellow, I know thee.
Fellow, I know thee.
What dost thou know me for?
What dost thou know me for?
What dost thou know me for?
What dost thou know me for?
A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud,
shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy,
worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking, whoreson,
glass-gazing, super-serviceable, finical rogue;
one trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of
good service, and art nothing but the composition of a
knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel
bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou
deniest the least syllable of thy addition.
A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking, whoreson, glass-gazing, super-serviceable, finical rogue; one trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good s
A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking, whoreson, glass-gazing, super-serviceable, finical rogue; one trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good s
A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken me
Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one that’s
neither known of thee nor knows thee?
Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one that’s neither known of thee nor knows thee?
Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one that’s neither known of thee nor knows thee?
Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, t
What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me! Is
it two days ago since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before
the King? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon
shines; I’ll make a sop o’ the moonshine of you: draw, you
whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw!
What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the King? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon shines; I’ll make a sop o’ the moonshine of you: draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw!
What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the King? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon shines; I’ll make a sop o’ the moonshine of you: draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw!
What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to
Away! I have nothing to do with thee.
Away! I have nothing to do with thee.
Away! I have nothing to do with thee.
Away! I have nothing to do with thee.
Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the King; and
take vanity the puppet’s part against the royalty of her father:
draw, you rogue, or I’ll so carbonado your shanks:—draw, you rascal;
come your ways!
Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the King; and take vanity the puppet’s part against the royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I’ll so carbonado your shanks:—draw, you rascal; come your ways!
Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the King; and take vanity the puppet’s part against the royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I’ll so carbonado your shanks:—draw, you rascal; come your ways!
Draw, you rascal: you come with letters
Help, ho! murder! help!
Help, ho! murder! help!
Help, ho! murder! help!
Help, ho! murder! help!
Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike!
Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike!
Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike!
Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand;
Help, ho! murder! murder!
Help, ho! murder! murder!
Help, ho! murder! murder!
Help, ho! murder! murder!
The stocks were a specific legal punishment in Elizabethan England: physical restraint in public, typically used for petty criminals, vagrants, and minor offenders. They were associated with public humiliation rather than serious crime — a punishment calibrated to shame, not destroy.
Gloucester understands exactly why Cornwall's order is extraordinary, and he says so: the stocks are 'such as basest and contemptedest wretches for pilfering and most common trespasses are punished with.' A king's messenger is not a petty thief. To treat him as one is to insult his master. The political logic is clear: how you treat someone's representative tells you how you regard the person they represent.
Regan and Cornwall know this. The stocks are not a disproportionate reaction to Kent's behavior — they are a precisely calibrated message to Lear. You matter so little to us that we will put your man in the stocks and dare you to respond. It is the first direct act of aggression against Lear's dignity since the 'my lady's father' of 1-4.
The Fool's response, when he sees Kent in the stocks, is characteristic: 'Ha, ha, he wears cruel garters.' The comedy doesn't hide the horror. It makes it bearable enough to witness.
How now! What’s the matter? Part!
How now! What’s the matter? Part!
How now! What’s the matter? Part!
How now! What’s the matter? Part!
With you, goodman boy, if you please: come, I’ll flesh ye; come
on, young master.
With you, goodman boy, if you please: come, I’ll flesh ye; come on, young master.
With you, goodman boy, if you please: come, I’ll flesh ye; come on, young master.
With you, goodman boy, if you please: co
Weapons! arms! What’s the matter here?
Weapons! arms! What’s the matter here?
Weapons! arms! What’s the matter here?
Weapons! arms! What’s the matter here?
Keep peace, upon your lives, he dies that strikes again. What is the
matter?
Keep peace, upon your lives, he dies that strikes again. What is the matter?
Keep peace, upon your lives, he dies that strikes again. What is the matter?
Keep peace, upon your lives, he dies tha
The messengers from our sister and the King.
The messengers from our sister and the King.
The messengers from our sister and the King.
The messengers from our sister and the K
What is your difference? Speak.
What is your difference? Speak.
What is your difference? Speak.
What is your difference? Speak.
I am scarce in breath, my lord.
I am scarce in breath, my lord.
I am scarce in breath, my lord.
I am scarce in breath, my lord.
No marvel, you have so bestirr’d your valour. You cowardly
rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.
No marvel, you have so bestirr’d your valour. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.
No marvel, you have so bestirr’d your valour. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.
No marvel, you have so bestirr’d your va
Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?
Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?
Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?
Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make
Ay, a tailor, sir: a stonecutter or a painter could not have
made him so ill, though he had been but two years at the trade.
Ay, a tailor, sir: a stonecutter or a painter could not have made him so ill, though he had been but two years at the trade.
Ay, a tailor, sir: a stonecutter or a painter could not have made him so ill, though he had been but two years at the trade.
Ay, a tailor, sir: a stonecutter or a pa
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit of his grey
beard,—
This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit of his grey beard,—
This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit of his grey beard,—
This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I
Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you’ll
give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and
daub the walls of a jakes with him. Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?
Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you’ll give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and daub the walls of a jakes with him. Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?
Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you’ll give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and daub the walls of a jakes with him. Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?
Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary lett
Peace, sirrah!
You beastly knave, know you no reverence?
Peace, sirrah! You beastly knave, know you no reverence?
Peace, sirrah! You beastly knave, know you no reverence?
Peace, sirrah! You beastly knave, know y
Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Why art thou angry?
Why art thou angry?
Why art thou angry?
Why art thou angry?
That such a slave as this should wear a sword,
Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain
Which are too intrince t’unloose; smooth every passion
That in the natures of their lords rebel;
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters,
Knowing naught, like dogs, but following.
A plague upon your epileptic visage!
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?
Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain,
I’d drive ye cackling home to Camelot.
That such a slave as this should wear a sword, Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain Which are too intrince t’unloose; smooth every passion That in the natures of their lords rebel; Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; Renege, affirm
That such a slave as this should wear a sword, Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain Which are too intrince t’unloose; smooth every passion That in the natures of their lords rebel; Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; Renege, affirm
That such a slave as this should wear a
What, art thou mad, old fellow?
What, art thou mad, old fellow?
What, art thou mad, old fellow?
What, art thou mad, old fellow?
How fell you out? Say that.
How fell you out? Say that.
How fell you out? Say that.
How fell you out? Say that.
No contraries hold more antipathy
Than I and such a knave.
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I
Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?
Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?
Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?
Why dost thou call him knave? What is hi
His countenance likes me not.
His countenance likes me not.
His countenance likes me not.
His countenance likes me not.
No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers.
No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers.
No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers.
No more perchance does mine, or his, or
Sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain:
I have seen better faces in my time
Than stands on any shoulder that I see
Before me at this instant.
Sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain: I have seen better faces in my time Than stands on any shoulder that I see Before me at this instant.
Sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain: I have seen better faces in my time Than stands on any shoulder that I see Before me at this instant.
Sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain: I h
This is some fellow
Who, having been prais’d for bluntness, doth affect
A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb
Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he,
An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth!
An they will take it, so; if not, he’s plain.
These kind of knaves I know which in this plainness
Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends
Than twenty silly-ducking observants
That stretch their duties nicely.
This is some fellow Who, having been prais’d for bluntness, doth affect A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he, An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! An they will take it, so; if not, he’s plain. These kind of knaves I know which in this plai
This is some fellow Who, having been prais’d for bluntness, doth affect A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he, An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! An they will take it, so; if not, he’s plain. These kind of knaves I know which in this plai
This is some fellow Who, having been pra
Kent's sustained insult of Oswald is one of the funniest passages in the play — and one of the most philosophically serious. At first it looks like simple comic relief: the blunt soldier can't stop insulting the fussy steward. But the content of the insult is specific and deliberate.
Each of Kent's accusations targets a different dimension of Oswald's failure. The financial insults (hundred-pound, three-suited, worsted-stocking) strip his pretensions to gentlemanly status. The behavioral insults (glass-gazing, superserviceable) identify his vanity and his excessive eagerness to please. The moral insults (knave, coward, pandar) describe what his service actually amounts to: enabling his mistress's worst impulses without moral resistance.
What Kent is describing is not just a bad man. He's describing a type: the perfect instrument, the person whose identity is entirely constituted by his employer's will. Oswald has no values that aren't Goneril's values. He has no loyalties that aren't her loyalties. He would 'be a bawd in way of good service' — he would act as a pimp if that served her interests.
This is what Kent finds intolerable: not the personal rudeness, but the moral nullity. A man with no independent moral center who will do absolutely anything for his mistress is more dangerous than an outright villain. At least villains have their own agenda.
Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity,
Under th’allowance of your great aspect,
Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering Phoebus’ front,—
Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, Under th’allowance of your great aspect, Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire On flickering Phoebus’ front,—
Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, Under th’allowance of your great aspect, Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire On flickering Phoebus’ front,—
Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, U
What mean’st by this?
What mean’st by this?
What mean’st by this?
What mean’st by this?
To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I know,
sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent
was a plain knave; which, for my part, I will not be, though I
should win your displeasure to entreat me to’t.
To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which, for my part, I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to’t.
To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which, for my part, I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to’t.
To go out of my dialect, which you disco
What was the offence you gave him?
What was the offence you gave him?
What was the offence you gave him?
What was the offence you gave him?
I never gave him any:
It pleas’d the King his master very late
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;
When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure,
Tripp’d me behind; being down, insulted, rail’d
And put upon him such a deal of man,
That worthied him, got praises of the King
For him attempting who was self-subdu’d;
And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here again.
I never gave him any: It pleas’d the King his master very late To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure, Tripp’d me behind; being down, insulted, rail’d And put upon him such a deal of man, That worthied him, got praises of the King For him attempti
I never gave him any: It pleas’d the King his master very late To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure, Tripp’d me behind; being down, insulted, rail’d And put upon him such a deal of man, That worthied him, got praises of the King For him attempti
I never gave him any: It pleas’d the Kin
None of these rogues and cowards
But Ajax is their fool.
None of these rogues and cowards But Ajax is their fool.
None of these rogues and cowards But Ajax is their fool.
None of these rogues and cowards But Aja
Fetch forth the stocks!
You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart,
We’ll teach you.
Fetch forth the stocks! You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart, We’ll teach you.
Fetch forth the stocks! You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart, We’ll teach you.
Fetch forth the stocks! You stubborn anc
Sir, I am too old to learn:
Call not your stocks for me: I serve the King;
On whose employment I was sent to you:
You shall do small respect, show too bold malice
Against the grace and person of my master,
Stocking his messenger.
Sir, I am too old to learn: Call not your stocks for me: I serve the King; On whose employment I was sent to you: You shall do small respect, show too bold malice Against the grace and person of my master, Stocking his messenger.
Sir, I am too old to learn: Call not your stocks for me: I serve the King; On whose employment I was sent to you: You shall do small respect, show too bold malice Against the grace and person of my master, Stocking his messenger.
Sir, I am too old to learn: Call not you
Fetch forth the stocks!
As I have life and honour, there shall he sit till noon.
Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour, there shall he sit till noon.
Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour, there shall he sit till noon.
Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life a
Till noon! Till night, my lord; and all night too!
Till noon! Till night, my lord; and all night too!
Till noon! Till night, my lord; and all night too!
Till noon! Till night, my lord; and all
Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog,
You should not use me so.
Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog, You should not use me so.
Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog, You should not use me so.
Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog,
Sir, being his knave, I will.
Sir, being his knave, I will.
Sir, being his knave, I will.
Sir, being his knave, I will.
This is a fellow of the selfsame colour
Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!
This is a fellow of the selfsame colour Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!
This is a fellow of the selfsame colour Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!
This is a fellow of the selfsame colour
Let me beseech your grace not to do so:
His fault is much, and the good King his master
Will check him for’t: your purpos’d low correction
Is such as basest and contemned’st wretches
For pilferings and most common trespasses,
Are punish’d with. The King must take it ill
That he, so slightly valued in his messenger,
Should have him thus restrained.
Let me beseech your grace not to do so: His fault is much, and the good King his master Will check him for’t: your purpos’d low correction Is such as basest and contemned’st wretches For pilferings and most common trespasses, Are punish’d with. The King must take it ill That he, so slightly valued i
Let me beseech your grace not to do so: His fault is much, and the good King his master Will check him for’t: your purpos’d low correction Is such as basest and contemned’st wretches For pilferings and most common trespasses, Are punish’d with. The King must take it ill That he, so slightly valued i
Let me beseech your grace not to do so:
I’ll answer that.
I’ll answer that.
I’ll answer that.
I’ll answer that.
My sister may receive it much more worse,
To have her gentleman abus’d, assaulted,
For following her affairs. Put in his legs.
My sister may receive it much more worse, To have her gentleman abus’d, assaulted, For following her affairs. Put in his legs.
My sister may receive it much more worse, To have her gentleman abus’d, assaulted, For following her affairs. Put in his legs.
My sister may receive it much more worse
Come, my good lord, away.
Come, my good lord, away.
Come, my good lord, away.
Come, my good lord, away.
I am sorry for thee, friend; ’tis the Duke’s pleasure,
Whose disposition, all the world well knows,
Will not be rubb’d nor stopp’d; I’ll entreat for thee.
I am sorry for thee, friend; ’tis the Duke’s pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubb’d nor stopp’d; I’ll entreat for thee.
I am sorry for thee, friend; ’tis the Duke’s pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubb’d nor stopp’d; I’ll entreat for thee.
I am sorry for thee, friend; ’tis the Du
Pray do not, sir: I have watch’d, and travell’d hard;
Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I’ll whistle.
A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels:
Give you good morrow!
Pray do not, sir: I have watch’d, and travell’d hard; Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I’ll whistle. A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels: Give you good morrow!
Pray do not, sir: I have watch’d, and travell’d hard; Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I’ll whistle. A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels: Give you good morrow!
Pray do not, sir: I have watch’d, and tr
The Duke’s to blame in this: ’twill be ill taken.
The Duke’s to blame in this: ’twill be ill taken.
The Duke’s to blame in this: ’twill be ill taken.
The Duke’s to blame in this: ’twill be i
Good King, that must approve the common saw,
Thou out of heaven’s benediction com’st
To the warm sun.
Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles
But misery. I know ’tis from Cordelia,
Who hath most fortunately been inform’d
Of my obscured course. And shall find time
From this enormous state, seeking to give
Losses their remedies. All weary and o’erwatch’d,
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
This shameful lodging.
Fortune, good night: smile once more, turn thy wheel!
Good King, that must approve the common saw, Thou out of heaven’s benediction com’st To the warm sun. Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, That by thy comfortable beams I may Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles But misery. I know ’tis from Cordelia, Who hath most fortunately been
Good King, that must approve the common saw, Thou out of heaven’s benediction com’st To the warm sun. Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, That by thy comfortable beams I may Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles But misery. I know ’tis from Cordelia, Who hath most fortunately been
Good King, that must approve the common
The Reckoning
Kent (as Caius) arrives at Gloucester's castle carrying Lear's letter for Regan. He meets Oswald, Goneril's steward, arriving with a letter from Goneril. Kent despises Oswald on sight — and says so at exhausting, virtuosic length. When he draws his sword, Cornwall and Regan emerge and shut it down. Cornwall puts Kent in the stocks as punishment. Gloucester protests, appalled — a king's messenger in the stocks is an insult to the king. Cornwall doesn't care. Regan agrees. Kent is left overnight in the stocks, where he reads a letter from Cordelia and waits for morning.
If this happened today…
A CEO's most loyal COO shows up at a regional office to deliver a message. He runs into the head of communications for the CEO's elder daughter — a man he's seen before and recognized as a sycophantic political operator. He stops the man in the parking lot and delivers a four-paragraph verbal evisceration of his character, class origins, and professional ethics. When they start to escalate physically, the daughter's husband comes out and has the COO put in a storage closet overnight — while reminding everyone that he has the authority to do this now. The COO sits in the dark reading a text message from the youngest daughter and waiting for morning.