King Lear

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Kent and a Gentleman KL IV.iii.1
KENT 
Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back KL IV.iii.1
know you no reason? KL IV.iii.2
GENTLEMAN 
Something he left imperfect in the state,imperfect (adj.)
unfinished, incomplete
KL IV.iii.3
which since his coming forth is thought of, which importsimport (v.)
be of importance to, concern, matter to
KL IV.iii.4
to the kingdom so much fear and danger that his KL IV.iii.5
personal return was most required and necessary.require (v.)
request, ask, beg
KL IV.iii.6
KENT 
Who hath he left behind him general? KL IV.iii.7
GENTLEMAN 
The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far. KL IV.iii.8
KENT 
Did your letters pierce the Queen to any demonstration KL IV.iii.9
of grief? KL IV.iii.10
GENTLEMAN 
Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence, KL IV.iii.11
And now and then an ample tear trilled downtrill (v.)
roll, flow, stream
KL IV.iii.12
Her delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen KL IV.iii.13
Over her passion who, most rebel-like, KL IV.iii.14
Sought to be king o'er her. KL IV.iii.15.1
KENT 
O, then it moved her? KL IV.iii.15.2
GENTLEMAN 
Not to a rage; patience and sorrow strovepatience (n.)
endurance, fortitude, composure
KL IV.iii.16
strive (v.)
compete, contend, vie
rage (n.)
violent outburst, furious passion
Who should express her goodliest. You have seenexpress (v.)
show, reveal, display
KL IV.iii.17
goodly (adj.)
good-looking, handsome, attractive, comely
Sunshine and rain at once; her smiles and tears KL IV.iii.18
Were like a better way; those happy smiletssmilet (n.)
slight smile
KL IV.iii.19
That played on her ripe lip seemed not to knowripe (adj.)
red and full like ripe fruit
KL IV.iii.20
What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence KL IV.iii.21
As pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief, KL IV.iii.22
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved KL IV.iii.23
If all could so become it.become (v.)
grace, honour, dignify
KL IV.iii.24.1
KENT 
Made she no verbal question?question (n.)
conversation, discourse, piece of talk
KL IV.iii.24.2
GENTLEMAN 
Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of father KL IV.iii.25
Pantingly forth, as if it pressed her heart, KL IV.iii.26
Cried ‘ Sisters! Sisters! Shame of ladies! Sisters! KL IV.iii.27
Kent! Father! Sisters! – What, i'the storm? i'the night? KL IV.iii.28
Let pity not be believed!’ There she shook KL IV.iii.29
The holy water from her heavenly eyes, KL IV.iii.30
And clamour moistened; then away she startedstart (v.)
hurry, rush, hasten
KL IV.iii.31
clamor, clamour (n.)
protest, complaint, outcry
To deal with grief alone. KL IV.iii.32.1
KENT 
It is the stars, KL IV.iii.32.2
The stars above us govern our conditions.condition (n.)
nature, state, circumstances
KL IV.iii.33
Else one self mate and make could not begetmate and make
husband and wife
KL IV.iii.34
self (adj.)
same, selfsame, identical, exact
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?issue (n.)
child(ren), offspring, family, descendant
KL IV.iii.35
GENTLEMAN 
No. KL IV.iii.36
KENT 
Was this before the King returned? KL IV.iii.37.1
GENTLEMAN 
No, since. KL IV.iii.37.2
KENT 
Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i'the town, KL IV.iii.38
Who sometime in his better tune rememberssometime (adv.)
sometimes, now and then
KL IV.iii.39
tune (n.)
state of mind, mood
What we are come about, and by no means KL IV.iii.40
Will yield to see his daughter. KL IV.iii.41.1
GENTLEMAN 
Why, good sir? KL IV.iii.41.2
KENT 
A sovereign shame so elbows him; his own unkindnesselbow (v.)
jostle, thrust back, crowd in
KL IV.iii.42
sovereign (adj.)
overpowering, unmitigated, extreme
That stripped her from his benediction, turned herbenediction (n.)
blessing, happiness, prosperity
KL IV.iii.43
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rightscasualty (n.)
chance occurrence, uncertainty, precariousness
KL IV.iii.44
To his dog-hearted daughters – these things stingdog-hearted (adj.)
cruel, callous, malevolent
KL IV.iii.45
His mind so venomously that burning shame KL IV.iii.46
Detains him from Cordelia. KL IV.iii.47.1
GENTLEMAN 
Alack, poor gentleman! KL IV.iii.47.2
KENT 
Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?power (n.)
armed force, troops, host, army
KL IV.iii.48
GENTLEMAN 
'Tis so. They are afoot. KL IV.iii.49
KENT 
Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear KL IV.iii.50
And leave you to attend him. Some dear causedear (adj.)
important, major, significant
KL IV.iii.51
attend (v.)
serve, follow, wait [on/upon]
cause (n.)
reason, motive, ground
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile. KL IV.iii.52
When I am known aright you shall not grieve KL IV.iii.53
Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you KL IV.iii.54
Go along with me. KL IV.iii.55
Exeunt KL IV.iii.55
 Previous Act IV, Scene III Next  
x

Jump directly to