Act 1
58. Fools had ne’er … apish: Fools have never been so little in demand as they are now because wise men have become so foolish. They don’t know how to use their intelligence and instead imitate fools.
59. When were you … songs: When did you become so full of songs?
60. I have used it: I have been in the habit of it
61. when thou gavest … breeches: When you gave them the stick and pulled down your own trousers. The Fool means that Lear reversed the natural parent-child relationship and allowed his daughters to rule and punish him for misbehaviour.
62. That such a king … among: That such a king should make himself childlike (play bo-peep) and join the ranks of fools.
63. fain: gladly 160
And know not how their wits to wear, Their manners are so apish.58
LEAR When were you wont to be so full of songs,59 sirrah?
165
FOOL I have used it,60 nuncle, e’er since thou madest thy daughters thy mothers; for when thou gavest them the rod and put’st down thine own breeches,61 Then they for sudden joy did weep, And I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bo-peep, And go the fools among.62
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie. I would fain63 learn to lie.
64. And you lie: If you lie
LEAR And you lie,64 sirrah, we’ll have you whipped.
65. I marvel … daughters are: I am amazed how alike you and your daughters are.
170 175
66. thou hast pared … middle: You have cut or divided in two your sense and left nothing in the middle.
67. one o’ the parings: one who has been given half the kingdom
FOOL I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are:65 they’ll have me whipped for speaking true, thou’lt have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o’ thing than a fool. And yet I would not be thee, nuncle. Thou hast pared thy wit o’ both sides, and left nothing i’ the middle.66 Here comes one o’ the parings.67
Enter GONERIL.
68. What makes that frontlet on?: Why are you wearing a frown? A ‘frontlet’ was a headband worn over the forehead.
69. Methinks … frown: I think you are frowning too much lately.
180
70. Now thou art … figure: You are like the number zero with no other number in front of it; you are worth nothing.
71. forsooth: indeed; truly 185 42 King Lear
FOOL Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning. Now thou art an O without a figure:70 I am better than thou art now: I am a fool, thou art nothing. [To GONERIL] Yes, forsooth,71 I will hold my tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum!
LEAR How now, daughter! What makes that frontlet on?68 You are too much of late i’ the frown.69
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