To forestall a criticism is often to destroy its force. In lines 67-78, Edmund, by openly setting forth the probable popular judgment, as relied upon by Edgar, is defending himself and turning the very suggestion of his own guilty plot to his advantage. This is a bold move; but with such a character as Gloucester its open boldness is its greatest guarantee of success. By this means Edmund makes any possible suspicion against himself seem to originate in his own words of quotation and to be, therefore, without force; and further suggests most subtly that he be placed in the position once occupied by Edgar, that the unpossessing but loyal bastard be allowed to enjoy the profits of Edgar's death. 59. dispatch: This is an imperative, such as would be spoken upon the finding of Edgar. 60. arch: chief or superior. 64. death: shall deserve death. 66. pight: determined. curst speech: vehement language. Edgar is said to have been vehement in his evil determination. 67. discover: report him, reveal his plot. 68. unpossessing: incapable of inheriting property. 69. stand against: contradict. 69-71. Would the belief in (reposal of) any virtue or worth in thee make the words believed (faith'd)? 73. character: my own writing, in evidence against me. 74. Three steps in evil: temptation in thought, conscious planning, and actual execution. 77. pregnant spurs; teeming incitements, (Furness.) Gloucester. O strange and fasten'd villain! Would he deny his letter? Said he? (Tucket within.) Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news. Regan. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short 80 85 Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord? 90 Gloucester. Oh, madam, my old heart is crack'd, -it's crack'd. Regan. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar? Gloucester. Oh, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Regan. Was he not companion with the riotous. knights That tend upon my father? Gloucester. I know not, madam. 'T is too bad, too bad. Edmund. Yes, madam, he was of that consort, 95 Gloucester is nervously excited. The approach of the duke causes mingled feelings of joy and anxiety. The visit is certainly an honour; but Gloucester, though intending to secure the duke's co-operation in the capture of Edgar, feels a vague presentiment of ill as of a chill wind: I know not why he comes. This feeling soon passes unnoticed because of the greater intensity of interest in Edgar's supposed treachery; but it is a touch of instinct bidding him fear a source of evil. Edmund's suggestion (78) has taken effect: it now finds expression (85-86) as Gloucester's original idea and purpose. There is peculiar violence in Regan's words. She has her father's violent nature, and in the character of her husband finds no check but rather an instigation to violence. She is now in a passion; and, therefore, her judgment is particularly extreme. In view of her own attitude toward her father, such condemnation of unfilial conduct is striking; but her interest is not so much in Gloucester's trouble as in its possible connection with her own complaint against her father. She links all evil with him; and makes this new crime an occasion of further accusation against Lear. Edmund eagerly grasps the opportunity of identifying Edgar with the companionship of Lear which he further characterizes by the contemptuous term: consort. This brings Edgar under Regan's special condemnation. 78. strange and fasten'd: unnatural and confirmed. 79. Said he said he that he would deny, etc.? (72 ff.) 85. natural: in the double sense of illegitimate and as opposed to unnatural, which latter epithet is by implication applied to Edgar. (Hudson.) work the means: contrive a way. 86. capable: capable of inheriting, in opposition to unpossessing (68). 94. shame shame because of the disgrace of such a thing to the family. 98. consort: a word of contempt for company or fellowship, Regan. No marvel then, though he were ill af fected; 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, To have th' expense and waste of his revenues. I have this present evening from my sister Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions I'll not be there. Cornwall. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father A child-like office. Edmund. Gloucester. It was my duty, sir. He did bewray his practice, and receiv'd This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Cornwall. Is he pursued? Ay, my good lord. 100 105 110 Cornwall. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm. Make your own purpose, How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant Edmund. Gloucester, I shall serve you, sir, For him I thank your grace, 115 While Edmund seeks to bring Edgar into greater danger by associating him with Lear's followers, Regan further justifies her attitude toward her father and his associates by assuming them to be the direct cause of the plot against Gloucester. As between the two sisters, Goneril takes the initiative, but she has to contend against the inertia or opposition of Albany, her husband; Regan, needing, it may be, to justify her action to herself, finds no necessity of defending herself against Cornwall since he gladly seconds all her spite against her father. The two dukes stand opposed in character; and Cornwall incites rather than restrains the inhumanity of his wife, especially as he has ambitions which are thereby furthered. Edmund's plot seems crowned with success: his brother is disgraced and in danger of death, his father has promised him the inheritance, and the duke now receives him into his favour and service. 99. though he were: that he was. 100. put him on: incited him to. 101. expense: spending. revenues: here accent the second syllable. 108. did bewray: revealed Edgar's base design (practice). 112. of: for. 113. strength: authority. 114. virtue and obedience: virtuous obedience. |