When shall I come to the top of that same hill?
When will I reach the top of that hill?
How much longer until we get to the top?
when we getting there?
You do climb up it now. Look how we labour.
You're climbing it now. Look at how hard we're working.
We're climbing it right now. See how exhausted we are?
we climbing it rn look how hard we working
Methinks the ground is even.
It seems like the ground is level to me.
The ground feels pretty flat to me.
ground feels flat
Horrible steep.
Hark, do you hear the sea?
It's horribly steep. Listen, can you hear the sea?
It's incredibly steep. Wait, can you hear the ocean?
super steep can u hear the sea?
No, truly.
No, truly.
No, truly.
No, truly.
Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
By your eyes’ anguish.
Then your other senses must be failing Because of the pain in your eyes.
That makes sense—your other senses would be off Because your eyes are hurting so much.
your senses r messed up from eye pain
So may it be indeed.
Methinks thy voice is alter’d; and thou speak’st
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
That's probably true. Your voice sounds different to me; and you're speaking With better words and substance than you did before.
That could be. Your voice sounds strange somehow; and you're speaking Better than you used to—better words, better ideas.
maybe u sound diff / talking better than before
Y’are much deceiv’d: in nothing am I chang’d
But in my garments.
You're very mistaken: I haven't changed Except in my clothes.
You're totally wrong: the only thing different about me Is what I'm wearing.
ur wrong only my clothes changed
Methinks you’re better spoken.
You seem to speak better to me.
I really do think you speak better.
u talk better now
Come on, sir; here’s the place. Stand still. How fearful
And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low!
The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire—dreadful trade!
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
The fishermen that walk upon the beach
Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,
Diminish’d to her cock; her cock a buoy
Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge
That on th’unnumber’d idle pebble chafes
Cannot be heard so high. I’ll look no more;
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong.
Come on, sir; here's the place. Stand still. How frightening And dizzying it is to look down so far! The crows and jackdaws flying in the middle air Look barely bigger than beetles. Halfway down Hangs someone gathering samphire—a dangerous job! He seems no bigger than his head to me. The fishermen walking on the beach Appear like mice; and that tall anchored ship Shrunk to her lifeboat; her lifeboat a buoy Almost too small to see: the murmuring waves That crash against the countless shifting pebbles Cannot be heard from up here. I'll look no more; In case my brain spins and my failing vision Tumbles me down headfirst.
Come on, we're here. Stay put. This is so terrifying And dizzying—looking down from this high! The crows and birds flying below Look tinier than beetles. Halfway down Someone's hanging there picking samphire—that's a death trap job! He looks smaller than just his own head. The fishermen down on the beach Look like mice; and that big ship anchored offshore Shrinks down to its little rowboat; the rowboat becomes A tiny buoy you can barely see: the sound of waves Crashing on all those pebbles below Can't even reach us up here. I'm not looking anymore; I'm afraid I'll get dizzy and lose my balance And fall straight down.
here dont move how scary looking down crows look like bugs mid-way down some guy picking samphire fishermen look like mice ships shrink to nothing u cant hear the waves from up here im not looking no more ill get dizzy n die
Set me where you stand.
Put me where you're standing.
Put me where you're at right now.
put me there
Give me your hand.
You are now within a foot of th’extreme verge.
For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright.
Give me your hand. You're now within a foot of the edge. I wouldn't jump up from here for anything in the world.
Give me your hand. You're basically right at the edge now. I wouldn't jump up from here for all the money in the world.
gimme ur hand u at the edge wouldnt jump for anything
Let go my hand.
Here, friend, ’s another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man’s taking. Fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off;
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
Let go of my hand. Here, friend, is another purse; in it a jewel Worth a poor man's while to take. Gods May bless it with you! Go further away; Say goodbye to me, and I want to hear you leaving.
Let go of my hand. Here, take another purse; there's a jewel in it That's worth something to a poor man. I hope it brings you Good luck! Step back a bit; Say goodbye, and I want to hear you walking away.
let go here's a purse w a jewel good luck w it go away say bye / let me hear u leave
Now fare ye well, good sir.
Now goodbye to you, good sir.
Well, goodbye then, sir.
bye sir
With all my heart.
From my whole heart.
Absolutely, yes.
fr fr
[_Aside._] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
Is done to cure it.
The reason I tease him with his despair like this is to heal it.
The reason I'm messing with him about his despair is because it'll help him get better.
why im toying with his despair? to cure it
O you mighty gods!
This world I do renounce, and in your sights,
Shake patiently my great affliction off:
If I could bear it longer, and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
My snuff and loathed part of nature should
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!
Now, fellow, fare thee well.
Oh mighty gods! I reject this world, and before you, Shake off my great suffering patiently: If I could bear it longer without Questioning your overwhelming power, My worthless and hated life would Burn itself away. If Edgar lives, bless him! Now, friend, goodbye.
Oh powerful gods! I'm done with this world, and I'm telling you I'll accept my suffering without fighting back: If I could stand it any longer without Rebelling against what you've decided, My pathetic, hated life would Just burn away on its own. If Edgar is alive, bless him! Now, friend, goodbye.
gods im done w this world im accepting my pain im not fighting u if edgar's alive bless him bye
Gone, sir, farewell.
Gone, sir, farewell.
Gone, sir, farewell.
Gone, sir, farewell.
And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life when life itself
Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
By this had thought been past. Alive or dead?
Ho you, sir! friend! Hear you, sir? speak!
Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.
What are you, sir?
And yet I don't know how imagination can rob the treasury of life when life itself surrenders to that theft. If he had truly been where he thought he was, he'd already be dead by now. Alive or dead? Hey you, sir, friend! Can you hear me, sir? Speak! He could have passed that way indeed—yet he revives. What are you, sir?
But I don't understand how imagination can kill you when your body just gives up. If he really was where he thought he was, he'd be dead already. Alive or dead? Hey, you, sir, friend! Can you hear me? Speak! He should have fallen, but he's coming back. Who are you?
imagination might kill u if u believe it enough if he was where he thought hed be dead but hes alive who r u
Away, and let me die.
Depart and allow me to end my life.
Step away and permit my death.
go / let me die
Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou’dst shiver’d like an egg: but thou dost breathe;
Hast heavy substance; bleed’st not; speak’st; art sound.
Ten masts at each make not the altitude
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.
Thy life is a miracle. Speak yet again.
If you had been nothing but gossamer, feathers, air, Falling so many fathoms down, You would have shattered like an egg: but you breathe; You have weight; you're not bleeding; you speak; you're whole. Ten masts put end to end don't reach the height You've just fallen straight down from. Your life is a miracle. Speak again.
If you'd been anything less than solid—gossamer, feathers, air— Falling all that distance, You'd have smashed like an egg: but you're breathing; You have weight; you're not bleeding; you can talk; you're fine. Ten ship masts end to end wouldn't be as high As where you just fell straight down from. Your survival is a miracle. Say something again.
if u were just air u'd shatter like egg but ur breathing u got weight no bleeding u talking u alive that height wud kill anyone miracal u survived talk again
But have I fall’n, or no?
But did I fall, or didn't I?
But did I actually fall or what?
did i fall?
From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.
Look up a-height, the shrill-gorg’d lark so far
Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.
From the terrible peak of this chalky hill. Look straight up; the shrill-voiced lark so high Cannot be seen or heard. Just look up.
From the top of this terrifying chalky cliff. Look straight up; that high-pitched bird singing so far above Can't even be seen or heard anymore. Just look up.
from the scary cliff look up birds up there cant be heard just look up
Alack, I have no eyes.
Is wretchedness depriv’d that benefit
To end itself by death? ’Twas yet some comfort
When misery could beguile the tyrant’s rage
And frustrate his proud will.
Alas, I have no eyes. Is the wretched deprived of even that escape To end themselves in death? There was at least some comfort When suffering could trick the tyrant's anger And thwart his proud will.
Oh no, I have no eyes. Are the miserable robbed of even that option To kill themselves? There was some mercy at least When pain could deceive the tyrant's fury And ruin his plans.
no eyes can't even kill myself at least when i was sad i could trick the tyrant ruin his plans
The Dover cliff scene is Shakespeare's most explicit meditation on the relationship between theatrical illusion and human need. Edgar stages a fake cliff, a fake fall, and a fake miracle — and he does it for a clearly defined therapeutic purpose: to give his father's will to die somewhere to go. Gloucester believes he has fallen; he survives; he concludes that something — providence, the gods, luck — wants him to live. This conclusion is false in its premises (there was no cliff) but true in its effect: Gloucester resolves to endure. The ethical complexity is real. Edgar deceives a blind, suffering man, and the deception is an act of love. Shakespeare does not resolve this tension: he presents it with complete seriousness. The question of whether false hope constructed through theatrical means is legitimate care is not answered in the play — but it is raised more forcefully here than anywhere else in the canon.
Give me your arm.
Up, so. How is’t? Feel you your legs? You stand.
Give me your arm. Up, so. How is it? Can you feel your legs? You're standing.
Give me your arm. Up we go. How do you feel? Can you move your legs? You're standing.
gimme ur arm up how u feel / u standing
Too well, too well.
I'm standing far too perfectly.
I'm standing way too well.
standing 2 well / shoulda died
This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o’ the cliff what thing was that
Which parted from you?
This is beyond all strangeness. At the top of the cliff what creature was that That left you?
This is stranger than anything. Who was that thing at the top of the cliff That walked away from you?
this is insane who was that at the top that left u
A poor unfortunate beggar.
Simply a wretched, pitiful beggar.
Just a miserable beggar.
just some beggar
As I stood here below, methought his eyes
Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,
Horns whelk’d and waved like the enraged sea.
It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours
Of men’s impossibilities, have preserv’d thee.
When I stood down here, I thought his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns curled and waving like the angry sea. It was some demon. Therefore, you fortunate father, Believe that the purest gods, who gain glory From performing impossible rescues, have saved you.
When I was down here, his eyes looked like Two full moons; he had tons of noses, Horns curled and waving like the raging sea. It was some demon. So you're lucky, father, Because the gods—the ones who love doing Impossible miracles—they saved your life.
from down here his eyes were moons thousand noses horns waving it was a demon the gods saved u miracal
I do remember now: henceforth I’ll bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself
‘Enough, enough,’ and die. That thing you speak of,
I took it for a man; often ’twould say,
‘The fiend, the fiend’; he led me to that place.
I remember now: from now on I'll endure Suffering until it exhausts itself And cries out 'Enough, enough' and dies. That creature you spoke of, I took it for a man; it would often say, 'The fiend, the fiend'; it led me to that place.
I remember now: from this point on I'll accept My suffering until it wears itself out And says 'I'm done' and just stops. That thing you mentioned, I thought it was human; it kept saying, 'The demon, the demon'; it brought me to that spot.
i remember im gonna take the pain til it kills itself thought he was human he kept saying demon demon he led me there
Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?
Hold free and patient thoughts. But who's coming here?
Be free-minded and patient. But who's that coming?
be patient / who's that
dressed up with flowers.
The safer sense will ne’er accommodate
His master thus.
dressed up with flowers. A sane mind would never dress its master like this.
dressed up with flowers. No sane person would ever dress up like this.
flowers everywhere a normal mind wouldnt do this
No, they cannot touch me for coining. I am the King himself.
No, they cannot prosecute me for counterfeiting. I am the King.
No, they can't charge me with counterfeiting. I'm the King.
can't arrest me im the king
O thou side-piercing sight!
Oh, what a heart-wrenching sight you are!
Oh, that breaks my heart to see!
that hurts 2 look at
Nature’s above art in that respect. There’s your press money.
That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier’s
yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace, this piece of toasted cheese
will do’t. There’s my gauntlet; I’ll prove it on a giant.
Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! i’ the clout, i’
the clout. Hewgh! Give the word.
Nature exceeds art in that way. Here's your military bounty. That man handles his bow like a scarecrow keeper: draw me a yard of cloth. Look, look, a mouse! Wait, wait, this piece of burnt bread Will do it. There's my glove; I'll challenge a giant with it. Bring out the infantry with their pikes. Oh, excellent shot, bird! In the target, in The target. Wow! Give the command.
Nature's better than artifice in that. Here's your signing bonus. That guy shoots like a scarecrow guard: give me a clothier's length of fabric. Look, look, a mouse! Never mind, this burnt toast Will handle it. Here's my glove; I'll fight a giant with it. Bring up the soldiers with their spears. Oh great shot, bird! Right on target, right On the bullseye. Wow! Shout the command.
nature > art thats ur pay he shoots bad look mouse toast will do it im fighting a giant shout give the word
Sweet marjoram.
Sweet marjoram.
Sweet marjoram.
Sweet marjoram.
Pass.
Pass.
Pass.
Pass.
I know that voice.
I recognize that voice.
I know exactly who that is.
i recognize u
Ha! Goneril with a white beard! They flattered me like a dog; and told
me I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. To say
‘ay’ and ‘no’ to everything I said ‘ay’
and ‘no’ to was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet
me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not
peace at my bidding; there I found ’em, there I smelt ’em out.
Go to, they are not men o’ their words: they told me I was everything;
’tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.
Ha! Goneril with a beard! They flattered me like a dog; and told Me I had white hairs in my beard before my black ones had left. To simply agree with everything I said— That was not good religion. When the rain came to soak Me once, and the wind to make me shiver; when the thunder would not Stop at my command; that's when I found them out, that's when I smelled their lie. So, they're not people of their word: they told me I was everything; It's a lie—I'm not immune to sickness.
Ha! Goneril with a beard! They treated me like a dog and flattered me; They told me I had gray hairs before I actually had them. Just agreeing with everything I said— That's not genuine loyalty. When the rain actually came and soaked me, And the wind made me shiver; when the thunder didn't stop At my command—that's when I saw through them, when I caught their lie. Listen, they don't keep their word: they said I was everything; It's all false. I'm not immune to illness.
lol goneril w a beard they flattered me said i had white hair b4 i did just saying yes 2 everything when rain came wind came thunder came i knew they were lying they dont keep their word im not immune 2 sickness
The trick of that voice I do well remember:
Is’t not the King?
I remember the distinctive quality of that voice well: Isn't that the King?
I remember that voice— That's the King, isn't it?
i know that voice that's the king
Ay, every inch a king.
When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man’s life. What was thy cause?
Adultery? Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:
The wren goes to’t, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive;
For Gloucester’s bastard son was kinder to his father
Than my daughters got ’tween the lawful sheets.
To’t, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.
Behold yond simp’ring dame,
Whose face between her forks presages snow;
That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure’s name.
The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes to’t with a more riotous
appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs, though women all
above. But to the girdle do the gods inherit, beneath is all the
fiend’s; there’s hell, there’s darkness, there is the sulphurous pit;
burning, scalding, stench,
consumption. Fie, fie, fie! pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good
apothecary, to sweeten my imagination. There’s money for thee.
Yes, every inch a king. When I stare, watch how my subject shakes. I pardon that man's life. What was your crime? Adultery? You won't die for that: die for adultery! No way: The wren does it, and the small bright fly Commits lust in front of me. Let breeding flourish; Because Gloucester's illegitimate son was kinder to his father Than my daughters were—my legitimate daughters. Do it, lust, everywhere! I need soldiers. Look at that simper-faced woman, Whose face between her legs shows only coldness; Who pretends to virtue and shakes her head At the mere mention of sexual pleasure. The polecat and the stallion don't do it with more appetite Than they do. Below the waist they're animals, though women all Above. But the gods create only to the waist; below that is all the Devil's; there's hell, there's darkness, there is the sulfurous pit; Burning, scalding, stench, Decomposition. Ugh, ugh! Give me some perfume, good Apothecary, to make my thoughts cleaner. There's payment for you.
Yes, every inch a king. When I glare, watch how people shake. I forgive that man's life. What was your crime? Cheating? You won't die for that: who dies for cheating anymore? The birds do it, even tiny bright flies Have sex right in front of everyone. Let it happen; Because Gloucester's illegitimate son was nicer to his father Than my own daughters were. Let lust run wild! I need soldiers anyway. Take a look at that smug-faced woman, Who pretends to be pure and shakes her head When anyone mentions sex. Polecat don't act more lustful Than they do. From the waist up they're women, but from the waist down they're Beasts. From the waist up is what the gods made; from the waist down is all Devil; there's hell, there's blackness, there's the burning pit; Fire, scalding heat, stink, Rotting away. Gross! Give me some perfume, doctor, To clean out my mind. Take this money.
im the king people shake when i stare i pardon people cheat? u wont die 4 it birds do it flies do it let ppl have sex do it look at that lady she acts pure but she wants it beasts from waist down hell down there its all demons below gross i need perfume
O, let me kiss that hand!
Oh, let me kiss that hand!
Oh, let me kiss your hand!
lemme kiss ur hand
Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.
Let me wipe it first; it smells like death.
Let me clean it first; it smells like death.
lemme wipe it reeks of death
O ruin’d piece of nature, this great world
Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me?
Oh broken creation, this great world Will wear away to nothing. Do you know me?
Oh, you ruined piece of nature—this whole world Will just wear away to nothing. Do you recognize me?
ur ruined world wearing out 2 nothing u know me?
I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me?
No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I’ll not love.
Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.
I remember your eyes well enough. Are you squinting at me? No, do your worst, blind god of love; I won't love anyone. Read this challenge; just notice how it's written.
I remember your eyes just fine. You squinting at me? No, do what you want, blind love god; I'm not falling for anyone. Read this written challenge; just look at how it's worded.
i remember ur eyes u squinting? im not falling 4 anyone read this look how its written
Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.
If every letter were a sun, I couldn't see a single one.
Even if every letter was a sun, I couldn't see any of it.
even if letters were suns i couldnt see
I would not take this from report,
It is, and my heart breaks at it.
I would not believe this from hearsay, It's true, and my heart breaks at the sight.
I wouldn't believe this just from hearing about it, But it's real, and it's breaking my heart.
wouldnt believe it if i just heard but its real breaks my heart
Read.
Read.
Read.
Read.
What, with the case of eyes?
What, with these empty eye sockets?
What, with these empty eye holes?
w empty eye sockets?
O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money
in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a
light, yet you see how this world goes.
Oh, I see what you mean! No eyes in your head, nor any money In your purse? Your eyes are in bad shape, your purse is light, Yet you understand how the world works.
Oh, I get it! No eyes in your head and no money In your pocket? Your eyes are in bad condition, your wallet's empty, But you still understand how things work in this world.
no eyes no money u get how world works tho
Lear's speeches in 4-6 — on flattery, adultery, justice, authority, and blindness — are among the most politically radical moments in Shakespeare. They are delivered in madness, which gives them a kind of immunized directness: a mad king cannot be punished for treason. But the content is not incoherent; it is devastatingly coherent. 'Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; robes and furred gowns hide all' is a precise account of how legal systems protect the powerful and punish the poor for the same offenses. 'A dog's obeyed in office' reduces all authority to the accident of position. 'None does offend, none' is either nihilism or universal amnesty. The speeches read like a mind that has been freed from social constraint and is now delivering what it has always known but never been able to say. Madness as clarity — or clarity that looks like madness to those who have something to protect.
I see it feelingly.
I understand it through feeling.
I perceive it through touch and experience.
i feel it
What, art mad? A man may see how the world goes with no eyes.
Look with thine ears. See how yon justice rails upon yon simple
thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which
is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer’s
dog bark at a beggar?
What, are you crazy? A man can understand how the world works without eyes. Listen with your ears instead. Hear how that judge yells at that poor Thief. Listen: if you switched places; which one would be The judge and which the thief? Haven't you seen a farmer's Dog bark at a beggar?
What, are you insane? You can figure out the world without eyes. Use your ears to see. Listen to how that judge screams at that poor Thief. Think about it: if they switched places, which would be The judge and which the thief? You've seen a farmer's Dog bark at someone begging before, right?
use ur ears listen 2 judge yelling at thief switch em / whos who? u seen dogs bark at beggars?
Ay, sir.
Yes, sir.
Yes.
yes
And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold
the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office.
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
For which thou whipp’st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.
Through tatter’d clothes great vices do appear;
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say none; I’ll able ’em;
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes,
And like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now:
Pull off my boots: harder, harder, so.
And the beggar runs from the dog? There you see The perfect image of power: a dog rules when in office. You cruel official, put down your bloody hand! Why do you beat that woman? Strip your own back; You lustfully want to use her in the very way You're beating her for. The moneylender hangs the cheat. When you're in rags, everyone sees your sins; When you're in rich robes, everything's hidden. Cover sin in gold, And justice's sword bounces right off; Dress that same sin in rags, and a toothpick could pierce it. No one sins, no one, I'm telling you no one—I'll pardon them all; Believe me, friend, I have the power To shut up the accusers. Get yourself blind man's glasses, And like a sleazy politician, act like You see things you don't. Now, now, come on: Pull off my boots: harder, pull harder, that's it.
And the beggar runs from the dog? That shows you Perfectly what power looks like: a dog rules when in office. You cruel official, stop beating people! Why are you whipping that woman? Take your own shirt off; You want to sleep with her—that's the real reason You're whipping her for it. The greedy lender hangs the con artist. When you're in rags, everyone sees your sins; When you're in rich robes, everything's hidden. Cover sin in gold, And justice's sword bounces right off; Dress that same sin in rags, and a toothpick could pierce it. Nobody sins, nobody, I'm telling you nobody—I'll pardon them all; Believe me, friend, I have the power To shut up the accusers. Get yourself blind man's glasses, And like a sleazy politician, act like You see things you don't. Now, now, come on: Pull off my boots: harder, pull harder, that's it.
dogs run things that beadle beating women he wants her but beats her rich guys get away w crime poor guys get caught im pardoning everyone im sealing accusers mouths act like u see things u dont pull my boots off
O, matter and impertinency mix’d!
Reason in madness!
Oh, sense and nonsense mixed together! Sanity in this madness!
Oh, here's actual meaning mixed with delusion! There's real wisdom in this crazy talk!
sense n nonsense truth in madness
If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough, thy name is Gloucester.
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
Thou know’st the first time that we smell the air
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.
If you'll cry over my misfortune, take my eyes. I know you well enough; your name is Gloucester. You must be patient; we came here crying: You know the first time we breathe the air We wail and cry. I will preach to you: listen.
If you're going to cry about my bad luck, take my eyes. I know you well enough; you're Gloucester. You need to be patient; we came into this world crying: You know that the first thing we do when we breathe Is scream and cry. I'm going to give you a sermon: pay attention.
if ur gonna cry take my eyes i know u gloucester u gotta be patient we come crying we leave crying im preaching 2 u
Alack, alack the day!
Alas, alas, what a terrible day!
Oh no, oh no!
no no no
When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools. This a good block:
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt. I’ll put’t in proof
And when I have stol’n upon these son-in-laws,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
When we're born, we cry because we've come To this great theater of fools. This is a good idea: It would be a clever strategy to put Felt shoes on a troop of horses. I'll try it out And when I've crept up on these sons-in-law, Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
When we're born, we cry about coming into This huge stage of idiots. Here's a good thought: It would be clever to put soft felt Shoes on a bunch of horses. I'll give it a try And when I've snuck up on my sons-in-law, Then I'll kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
born crying this is theater of fools good idea felt shoes on horses ill sneak up on sons in law kill kill kill
Attendants.
Attendants.
Attendants enter.
attendants come
O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,
Your most dear daughter—
Here he is! Grab him, sir. Your most beloved daughter—
Found him! Hold him there, sir. Your dear daughter—
there he is hang on your daughter—
No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;
You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
I am cut to the brains.
No rescue? What, captured? I am truly Fortune's natural fool. Treat me well; You'll get ransom. Let me have doctors; I'm wounded deep in my brain.
Nobody's coming to help? So I'm a prisoner? I really am Just Fortune's toy. Treat me okay; You'll get paid for me. Get me some doctors; I'm hurt deep in my mind.
no rescue im prisoner im fortunes fool treated me well ul get ransom get doctors im hurt bad
You shall have anything.
You'll have anything.
You'll get whatever you want.
u can have anything
No seconds? All myself?
Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
Ay, and for laying autumn’s dust.
No support? All alone? This would make a man into a man of tears, Using his eyes as watering cans for the garden, Yes, and for dampening the autumn dust.
No backup? Completely alone? This would make a man into just salt—tears, Using his eyes like watering cans For watering plants and settling dust in fall.
no backup im alone id cry so much id become salt use eyes like watering cans
Good sir.
Good sir.
Good sir.
Good sir.
I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom.
What! I will be jovial. Come, come,
I am a king, my masters, know you that.
I will die proudly, like a confident bridegroom. What! I will be cheerful. Come, come, I am a king, my masters, you know that.
I'll die confidently, like a happy newlywed. What! I'll be happy. Come on, I'm a king, everybody, remember that.
dying proud like bridegroom im happy im king bitches
You are a royal one, and we obey you.
You are a royal person, and we obey you.
You're royalty, and we'll follow you.
ur royalty / we obey u
Then there’s life in’t. Come, and you get it,
You shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa!
Then there's hope in that. Come, and if you want it, You'll get it by running. Off, off, off, off!
Then there's something to live for. Come on, and if you want it, You better run for it. Go, go, go, go!
theres hope if u want it run 4 it go go go
A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter
Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.
This is a pitiful sight even in the poorest beggar, Unspeakable in a king! You have one daughter Who saves nature from the curse That two have brought it to.
This is sad to see even in a poor wretch, But it's unsayable in a king! You do have one daughter Who saves humanity from the curse That two other daughters brought on it.
sad sight worse in a king u got one good daughter she saves the world
Hail, gentle sir.
Hello, kind sir.
Hey there, good sir.
hello sir
Sir, speed you. What’s your will?
Sir, hurry. What do you want?
Sir, move fast. What do you need?
what u want?
Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Do you hear anything, sir, of a battle coming?
Sir, have you heard anything about an approaching battle?
u heard about battle coming?
Most sure and vulgar.
Everyone hears that, which can distinguish sound.
Most certainly and widespread. Everyone knows it, anyone who can hear.
Oh yes, and it's common knowledge. Everyone who can hear has heard about it.
yeah everyone knows if u can hear u know
But, by your favour,
How near’s the other army?
But if you don't mind, How close is the other army?
But if you don't mind me asking, How far away is the other army?
how close is other army?
Near and on speedy foot; the main descry
Stands on the hourly thought.
Close and moving fast; the main force's arrival Is expected within the hour.
Very close and moving quick; the main army's Expected to be spotted any moment.
close n fast main army coming soon
I thank you sir, that’s all.
I'm grateful, sir; that's sufficient.
Thanks, sir—that answers everything.
appreciate it
Edgar changes dialects and personas throughout the play: the educated Edgar, the wild Poor Tom, the rural peasant (in the Oswald confrontation). His use of West Country dialect — 'chill,' 'zir,' 'ballow' (a cudgel) — when confronting Oswald is a tactical persona, adopted to be underestimated. Oswald dismisses him as a peasant. Edgar kills him. The shifting voice is also thematically significant: in a play about stripped identity, Edgar is the character most willing to inhabit multiple selves, and in doing so, he survives. His father cannot see him; he adapts. The play's most fluid identity is also the most resilient.
Though that the queen on special cause is here,
Her army is mov’d on.
Although the queen is here for a special reason, Her army has moved forward.
The queen is here for some special reason, But her army has already moved on.
queens here but army moved on
I thank you, sir.
I'm grateful to you, sir.
Much appreciated, sir.
thank u
You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please.
You ever-kind gods, take my life from me; Don't let my darker self tempt me again To die before you're ready.
You kind gods, just take my life; Don't let the dark part of me try again To kill myself before your time.
gods take my breath dont let me kill myself again
Well pray you, father.
Well, I ask you, father—pray.
Please pray, father.
pray father
Now, good sir, what are you?
Now, who are you?
So who exactly are you, friend?
who r u?
A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows;
Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I’ll lead you to some biding.
A very poor man, made docile by fortune's strikes; Who, through experiencing and understanding sorrow, Has become full of compassion. Give me your hand, I'll lead you to some shelter.
I'm a poor man, beaten down by bad luck; Who's learned compassion through all my suffering, And I'm full of pity now. Give me your hand, I'll take you somewhere safe.
im poor broke by bad luck ive suffered n learned 2 pity ppl gimme ur hand ill find u shelter
Hearty thanks:
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot.
Heartfelt thanks: May the gifts and blessing of heaven Be added, and added again.
Thank you sincerely: May heaven's blessings and gifts Come to you, and come again.
thx heaven bless u twice
A proclaim’d prize! Most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first fram’d flesh
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
That must destroy thee.
A wanted prize! How wonderful! That blind head of yours was first made flesh To raise my fortune. You old unhappy traitor, Quickly remember yourself. The sword is drawn That will destroy you.
A famous target! This is great! That blind head of yours was made To raise my fortune. You old, miserable traitor, Quickly prepare yourself. The sword is out That's going to kill you.
ur a prize im gonna kill u prepare urself
Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough to’t.
Now let your merciful hand Have enough strength to do it.
Now let your kind hand Be strong enough to do it.
do it ur hand strong enough?
Wherefore, bold peasant,
Dar’st thou support a publish’d traitor? Hence;
Lest that th’infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
Why, bold peasant, Do you dare protect a proclaimed traitor? Get out of here; In case the infection of his bad fortune take Hold on you too. Let go of his arm.
What's wrong with you, bold peasant, Supporting a wanted traitor? Get out of here; Your bad luck will rub off on you. Let go of his arm.
y r u helping a traitor get outta here / let go
Chill not let go, zir, without vurther ’casion.
I will not let go, sir, without further reason.
I'm not letting go, sir, unless you give me a reason.
im not letting go
Let go, slave, or thou diest!
Let go, slave, or you'll die!
Let go, you slave, or you're dead!
let go or ur dead
Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volke pass. An chud ha’
bin zwaggered out of my life, ’twould not ha’ bin zo long
as ’tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th’old man; keep
out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the
harder: chill be plain with you.
Good gentleman, go your way, and let poor people pass. If I had been Bullied out of my life, it wouldn't have been so long As it is by two weeks. No, don't come near the old man; stay Back, I warn you, or I'll test whether your head or my stick is the Harder: I'll be plain with you.
Good sir, go on your way and let poor people get by. If I'd been pushed Around enough to die two weeks ago, I wouldn't be here now. Stay away from the old man; keep your distance, Or I'll test whether your skull or my club is harder: I'm warning you.
let poor ppl pass i shoudla been dead weeks ago dont touch old man im warning u / head vs club
Out, dunghill!
Get out, you worthless scum!
Beat it, you jerk!
get outta here jerk
Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come! No matter vor your foins.
I'll knock out your teeth, sir. Come! I don't fear your sword thrusts.
I'll punch your teeth out, sir. Come on! Your sword moves don't scare me.
ill knock ur teeth out not scared
Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
And give the letters which thou find’st about me
To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
Upon the British party. O, untimely death!
Slave, you've killed me. Villain, take my money. If you ever want to prosper, bury my body; And give the letters you find on me To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. Find him Among the British forces. Oh, an unexpected death!
Slave, you killed me. Villain, take my purse. If you want to do well, bury my body; And take the letters in my pocket To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. Find him With the British army. Oh, such an untimely death!
u killed me take my money bury me give letters 2 edmund untimely death
I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
I know you well. A useful villain, As loyal to the sins of your mistress As wickedness could want.
I know you well. A helpful villain, As devoted to your mistress's vices As evil itself could ask.
i know u / useful villain loyal 2 ur mistress sins
What, is he dead?
Is he dead?
So he's dead?
hes dead?
Sit you down, father; rest you.
Let’s see these pockets; the letters that he speaks of
May be my friends. He’s dead; I am only sorry
He had no other deathsman. Let us see:
Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not.
To know our enemies’ minds, we rip their hearts,
Their papers is more lawful.
Sit down, father; get some rest. Let's check his pockets; the letters he mentioned Might be from my friends. He's dead; I'm only sorry He had no one else to kill him. Let me open them: Break, gentle wax seal; excuse us for bad manners. To understand our enemies' desires, we open their hearts, Opening their letters is more acceptable.
Sit down and rest, father. Let me check his pockets; those letters he was talking about Could be from my friends. He's dead; the only bad thing is He didn't have anyone else to execute him. Let me open these: Break, nice wax seal; forgive us for our rudeness. When we want to know what enemies are thinking, we cut open their hearts, So opening their papers is actually more civilized.
sit down rest lets check pockets letters might be from friends hes dead / sucks nobody else killed him opening his papers knowing enemy hearts justifies it
[_Reads._] ‘Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many
opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place
will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he return the
conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the
loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your
labour. ‘Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant, ‘Goneril.’
O indistinguish’d space of woman’s will!
A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life,
And the exchange my brother! Here in the sands
Thee I’ll rake up, the post unsanctified
Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis’d Duke: for him ’tis well
That of thy death and business I can tell.
[Reading Goneril's letter:] 'Remember our promises to each other. You have many chances to kill him, if you're willing—the right moment will come. If he wins, I'll be trapped in his bed like a prisoner. Free me from that disgusting warmth and take his place instead, since you've done the work. Your devoted servant, Goneril.' O, the boundless depths of a woman's desires! A murder plot against her supposedly virtuous husband, And to put my brother Edmund in his place! Here in the sand I'll bury this cursed letter from murderous adulterers: and at the right moment, I'll show this shameful paper to the Duke Who is being plotted against for death: for him it works out well That I can tell him of your death and these schemes.
[Reading Goneril's letter:] 'Remember what we promised each other. You get plenty of chances to kill him—if you're willing, it'll happen. But if he wins, I'm stuck in his bed forever. Get me out and take his place instead, because you've done the work. Your devoted servant, Goneril.' Wow, look at the wild reach of a woman's desires! A plot to murder her own husband, And put Edmund in his bed! I'm burying this filthy letter from murderous lovers here in the sand: and when the right moment comes, I'll show this ugly letter to the Duke They're trying to kill: it'll work perfectly for him Because I can tell him about your death and all this scheming.
goneril's letter: remember our promises u got chances to kill him if ur willing itll happen im trapped if he wins free me take his place this woman is insane plot to kill her husband for edmund burying this letter show it to duke later works out perfect for him
The King is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
So should my thoughts be sever’d from my griefs,
And woes by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves.
The King is mad: how stubborn my bad mind is, That I can still stand and have clear awareness Of my enormous sorrows! Better if I were mad: Then my thoughts would be cut off from my griefs, And my suffering would lose knowledge of itself through false imagination.
The King's lost his mind: but my cursed sanity Won't break. I can still stand here feeling Every bit of my terrible pain! I wish I were mad too: Then my mind would be separate from my grief, And my suffering would forget itself through delusion.
kings mad im stuck w my mind can still feel everything wish i was mad 2 then id forget my pain
Give me your hand.
Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
Come, father, I’ll bestow you with a friend.
Give me your hand. I think I hear the distant sound of drums. Come, father, I'll take you to a friend.
Give me your hand. I think I hear war drums in the distance. Come on, father, I'll get you to a friend's place.
gimme ur hand hear war drums cmon / getting u 2 friend
The Reckoning
The longest and most structurally complex scene in Acts 3-4. It contains three distinct events, each deeply strange: Edgar's theatrical deception of Gloucester at the cliff; Lear's mad speeches about adultery, justice, and blindness; and Oswald's death with the discovery of the letter. The cliff scene is perhaps Shakespeare's most ingenious theatrical trick: the audience knows the cliff does not exist (Edgar has told them), so they watch the performance on two levels simultaneously — as Gloucester experiences it and as Edgar stages it. When Gloucester falls on flat ground and is told he has miraculously survived a great fall, the fiction is therapeutic: Edgar is treating his father's will to die by giving him a theatrical death from which he can recover. Then Lear arrives, visionary and profoundly mad, delivering some of the play's most concentrated truths. 'A man may see how this world goes with no eyes' is the line that brings together the entire play's sight-and-blindness theme: the blind see more truly than the sighted. The discovery of Goneril's letter to Edmund — which reveals a plot against Albany's life — puts a weapon in Albany's hands.
If this happened today…
Someone talks their suicidal friend to a cliff's edge — but actually leads them to a parking lot and lets them fall six inches. Then convinces them a miracle happened. Meanwhile a homeless man wanders in wearing flowers and delivers a lecture on justice, flattery, and the law that is completely insane and completely accurate. Then someone arrives trying to commit a murder, gets killed for it, and is found to be carrying evidence of a conspiracy.