228 that to he who
234 kite bird of prey, scavenger
235 rarest parts splendid qualities
237 in … name uphold the honor of their names with the most careful consideration (or “… in every respect”)
240 engine piece of machinery
242 gall bitterness
246 moved provoked, angered
252 increase procreation
253 derogate degenerate, debased
254 teem be fertile, have children
255 spleen malice
256 thwart perverse, obstinate
256 disnatured unnatural
258 cadent falling
258 fret erode, wear
259 pains efforts (also suggests labor pains)
259 benefits kindnesses
266 dotage foolish old age
267 at a clap with one blow
272 perforce by force, uncontrollably
273 Blasts violent gusts of winds
274 Th’untented the festering (literally, not probed and cleaned surgically)
275 fond foolish/doting
277 waters … loose i.e. tears
278 temper moisten
278 clay i.e. earth, the ground
280 kind benevolent/possessed of natural familial love
280 comfortable comforting
282 visage face
286 partial biased
288 content content yourself, i.e. be quiet
295 halter hangman’s noose
298 politic prudent, shrewd
299 At point armed and ready
299 that so that
300 buzz rumor
300 fancy whim
301 enguard protect, defend
302 in at (his)
305 still always
306 taken defeated, captured
315 compact confirm, consolidate
318 under pardon if you’ll pardon my saying so
319 at task taken to task, blamed
324 th’event the outcome (will tell)
Act 1 Scene 5
1 before ahead
3 demand out of questions prompted by
8 kibes chilblains
10 wit intellect
10 slip-shod in slippers (worn for chilblains)
13 Shalt i.e. thou shalt
14 crab sour-tasting crab apple
18 on’s of his
20 side’s side of his
22 her i.e. Cordelia (though Goneril is just possible)
31 asses idiots/donkeys (i.e. Lear’s servants)
31 the seven stars the Pleiades
32 pretty ingenious
35 again back again (refers either to an intention to reclaim sovereignty, or to Goneril’s withdrawal of Lear’s privileges)
42 temper my right state of mind
46 maid virgin
47 things penises
Act 2 Scene 1
2.1 Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence
2.1 severally separately
1 Save thee God save thee (a common greeting)
7 abroad out there, in circulation
7 ones i.e. the news, regarded as plural
7 ear-kissing arguments rumored, whispered topics, not established truths
10 toward impending
15 perforce of necessity
16 take arrest
17 queasy question dangerous, uncertain nature
20 watches is on guard, on the lookout
21 intelligence information
24 i’th’haste in haste
25 have … Albany i.e. have you spoken in support of Cornwall and against Albany/have you spoken critically about Cornwall’s hostility to Albany
27 Advise yourself consider
30 In cunning to deceive (Gloucester; though playing on the fact that it is Edgar who is being tricked)
31 quit you acquit yourself
34 beget … endeavour give the impression that I fought more fiercely
35 fierce violent/brave/zealous
40 conjuring invoking
40 the moon i.e. Hecate, goddess of the moon and of witchcraft
41 stand auspicious mistress favor him as his patroness
50 bend direct
52 fine conclusion
53 loathly opposite deeply opposed, horrified
54 fell savage, ruthless
55 preparèd unsheathed
55 charges home makes a direct attack on
56 unprovided unprotected
56 latched caught
57 alarumed stirred, roused
58 quarrel’s right rightfulness of my cause
58 th’encounter the fight
59 ghasted frightened
60 Full very
63 found — dispatch once found, he shall be killed
64 arch and patron chief patron
67 stake i.e. place of execution
70 pight determined
70 curst angry
71 discover reveal his plans
72 unpossessing unable to take possession of land and property (illegitimate children could not legally inherit)
73 would stand against stood against, contradicted
73 reposal placing
75 faithed believed
77 character handwriting
78 suggestion incitement to evil
78 practice scheme
79 make … world think the world very stupid
80 not thought did not think
80 profits i.e. benefits to Edmund
81 pregnant … spirits fertile and powerful temptations (literally, evil spirits)
2.1 Tucket personal trumpet call, here signaling the arrival of Cornwall