King Lear

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Independently Published, 2020 M03 25 - 168 pages
King Lear, one of Shakespeare's darkest and most savage plays, tells the story of the foolish and Job-like Lear, who divides his kingdom, as he does his affections, according to vanity and whim. Lear's failure as a father engulfs himself and his world in turmoil and tragedy.King Lear's palace.[Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUND]KENTI thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.GLOUCESTERIt did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.KENTIs not this your son, my lord?GLOUCESTERHis breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it.KENTI cannot conceive you.GLOUCESTERSir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?KENTI cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper.GLOUCESTERBut I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?EDMUNDNo, my lord.GLOUCESTERMy lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.EDMUNDMy services to your lordship.KENTI must love you, and sue to know you better.EDMUNDSir, I shall study deserving.GLOUCESTERHe hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The king is coming.Sennet. Enter KING LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and AttendantsKING LEARAttend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.GLOUCESTERI shall, my liege.[Exeunt GLOUCESTER and EDMUND]

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