Act 4, Scene 5 — King Lear — Study Shakespeare

The argument Regan and Oswald. Regan wants Oswald to find and kill Gloucester. She hands him a letter for Edmund — she is pursuing him. Oswald is sent to find Edmund.

Enter Regan and Oswald.

REGAN [anxiously probing for war details]

But are my brother’s powers set forth?

But have my brother's troops marched out?

Has your master sent his army out yet?

his army ready to go

OSWALD [curt, guarded reply]

Ay, madam.

REGAN [pressing for more specifics]

Himself in person there?

Is he going himself?

Is he going with them?

hes going too

OSWALD ≋ verse [diplomatically hinting at Albany's reluctance]

Madam, with much ado.

Your sister is the better soldier.

Madam, he is, though with some difficulty. Your sister is the better military commander.

Yes, madam, though it took some convincing. But frankly your sister's the better fighter.

barely but yeah your sister's the better fighter

REGAN [jealously fishing about Edmund]

Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?

Did Lord Edmund not speak with your husband at home?

Didn't Edmund talk to your husband before he left?

edmund didnt talk to your husband

OSWALD [flat denial]

No, madam.

REGAN [jealous curiosity about the letter]

What might import my sister’s letter to him?

What could my sister's letter to him mean?

What's your mistress writing to Edmund about?

whats she writing him about

OSWALD [feigning ignorance, evasive]

I know not, lady.

I don't know, madam.

I haven't a clue.

no idea

🎭 Dramatic irony Regan sends Oswald to kill Gloucester, with the same confidence with which Cornwall sent servants to blind him. She does not know that the cost of Cornwall's cruelty was his own life. The same pattern is about to repeat: an order to harm Gloucester will kill the person sent to carry it out.

REGAN ≋ verse [coldly plotting Gloucester's death]

Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.

It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out,

To let him live. Where he arrives he moves

All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone

In pity of his misery, to dispatch

His nighted life; moreover to descry

The strength o’ th’enemy.

Truly, he left quickly on serious business. It was a great mistake, after blinding Gloucester, to let him live. Wherever he goes he turns everyone against us. Edmund, I think, has gone out of pity for his misery, to end his dark life; and also to discover the enemy's military strength.

He rode off fast on urgent business. It was stupid to leave Gloucester alive after blinding him—he's poisoning everyone against us wherever he goes. Edmund has probably gone to put the blind man out of his misery and to scout the enemy's army.

he left fast stupid to let gloucester live after blinding hes turning everyone against us edmund went to put him out of misery and spy on the enemy

OSWALD [insisting on his errand]

I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

I must go after him, madam, with this letter.

I have to catch up with him to deliver this letter, madam.

i gotta follow him with the letter

REGAN ≋ verse [urging him to stay, ulterior motive]

Our troops set forth tomorrow; stay with us;

The ways are dangerous.

Our troops march out tomorrow; stay with us; the roads are dangerous.

Our army goes out tomorrow—stay here. The roads aren't safe.

we march tomorrow stay here roads are dangerous

OSWALD ≋ verse [politely refusing, bound by duty]

I may not, madam:

My lady charg’d my duty in this business.

I cannot, madam: my mistress has ordered me to do this.

I can't, madam—my mistress ordered me to deliver this.

i cant my mistress ordered it

REGAN ≋ verse [jealously scheming to read the letter]

Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you

Transport her purposes by word? Belike,

Somethings, I know not what, I’ll love thee much.

Let me unseal the letter.

Why should she write to Edmund? Couldn't you tell him what she wants? Perhaps— something, I know not what—I'll reward you generously. Let me open the letter.

Why's she writing to Edmund? Couldn't you just tell him verbally? I'll reward you if you let me read it. Open it for me.

why write edmund you could just tell him ill reward you let me see the letter

OSWALD [reluctant, trying to refuse]

Madam, I had rather—

Madam, I would prefer—

I'd rather not, madam—

id rather not madam

REGAN ≋ verse [accusing Goneril of desiring Edmund]

I know your lady does not love her husband;

I am sure of that; and at her late being here

She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks

To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.

I know your mistress does not love her husband; I'm certain of that; and when she was here recently she gave Edmund strange flirting glances and meaningful looks. I know you're her closest confidant.

I know your mistress doesn't love her husband—I'm sure of it. When she was here, she kept giving Edmund these flirting looks. I know you're her trusted servant and know her secrets.

your mistress dont love her husband she gave edmund flirty looks you know her secrets

OSWALD [startled, feigning innocence]

I, madam?

REGAN ≋ verse [boldly declaring her claim on Edmund]

I speak in understanding; y’are, I know’t:

Therefore I do advise you take this note:

My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk’d,

And more convenient is he for my hand

Than for your lady’s. You may gather more.

If you do find him, pray you give him this;

And when your mistress hears thus much from you,

I pray desire her call her wisdom to her.

So, fare you well.

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,

Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

I'm speaking plainly; you know what I mean, I know you do. Therefore take note of this: my husband is dead; Edmund and I have talked, and he'd be a better match for me than for your mistress. You understand my meaning. If you find him, give him this letter. And when your mistress hears this from you, ask her to think clearly. So, farewell. If you hear of that blind traitor, the one who kills him will be greatly rewarded.

We understand each other clearly. My husband's dead, Edmund and I have worked things out, and he's better suited to me than to your mistress. Find him and give him this letter. Tell your mistress to accept what's happening. And if anyone gets the chance to kill that blind traitor Gloucester, they'll be well paid.

we get it my husbands dead edmund suits me better give him the letter tell your mistress to accept it whoever kills gloucester gets rewarded

OSWALD ≋ verse [eager to prove his loyalty by murder]

Would I could meet him, madam! I should show

What party I do follow.

If only I could encounter him, madam! I would show whose side I'm on.

I wish I could find him—I'd show him whose side I'm loyal to.

id find him and show whos side im on

REGAN [coolly dismissing him]

Fare thee well.

Goodbye to you.

Goodbye.

bye

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

A short, functional scene that advances the subplot of Regan's pursuit of Edmund and Oswald's mission to find him. Regan has heard about Gloucester being led around by the old man, and thinks killing him was a mistake (he might stir up pity). She tells Oswald to kill him if he finds him. More importantly, she intercepts or attempts to intercept Goneril's letter to Edmund — she has her own letter — and makes plain her intention to have Edmund for herself. The political and erotic competition between the sisters is fully in the open now. The scene functions as a mechanism to send Oswald toward Edgar and toward 4-6.

If this happened today…

A powerful woman intercepts communications between her sister and a man she wants for herself. She tells the messenger: if you find the old man being led around out there, deal with him. And give Edmund this from me. The messenger is being sent on two errands, one of them sinister.

Continue to 4.6 →