224 Though that though
224 on special cause for a special reason (i.e. to find Lear)
229 worser spirit evil angel/bad side of my nature
234 known … sorrows deeply felt sorrows I have experienced
235 pregnant … pity disposed to compassion
236 biding dwelling
238 benison blessing
239 To … boot in addition, and may it benefit you
240 proclaimed prize i.e. a man with a price on his head
240 happy fortunate
241 framed flesh conceived and born
243 thyself remember recall your sins (i.e. prepare to die)
248 published proclaimed
251 ’Chill I shall
251 ’chill … ’casion I shall not let go, sir, without further occasion (cause); for his new persona, Edgar adopts a West Country accent in which he substitutes “v” for “f” and “z” for “s”
253 your gait on your way
254 An … vortnight if I could have been killed by boasting, I would not have lasted a fortnight (or “it would have been shorter by a fortnight”)
256 che vor ye I warrant you, I promise you
256 i’se I shall
257 costard head (literally, a large apple)
257 ballow cudgel
259 pick knock out with the cudgel
259 foins sword thrusts
264 party side
265 serviceable eager to serve, ready to do anything
272 deathsman executioner
273 Leave give me leave, permit me
277 will desire/lust
277 want not is not lacking
278 done achieved
281 for your labour as a reward for your efforts/as a place for sexual activity
282 servant lover
283 undistinguished space limitless scope
283 will lust
286 Thee … up I will bury you (Oswald)
286 post unsanctified unholy messenger
287 in … time when the time is ripe
288 ungracious wicked, sinful
288 strike blast/afflict
289 death-practised whose death is plotted
291 stiff stubborn
292 ingenious sensitive, intelligent
293 distract mad
295 wrong imaginations illusions
Act 4 Scene 6
4.6 Location: the French camp, near Dover
3 every … me all my efforts will be inadequate
4 o’erpaidi.e. already more than enough
5 All … truth everything I have told you is the simple truth (or possibly “may all reports of me be unexaggerated and accurate”)
6 Nor … clipped neither overstated nor abbreviated
7 suited dressed
8 weeds clothes
11 Yet … intent to have my identity known now would spoil the plan I have devised
12 My … it the favor I ask is
12 know me not do not acknowledge me
13 meet suitable
18 wind up put in tune (by tightening the pegs on a stringed instrument)
19 child-changèd changed by his children
23 I’th’sway … will as you see fit, under your own authority
23 arrayed dressed (appropriately)
27 doubt of fear for
27 temperance self-control
31 reverence i.e. position deserving respect, venerable state
33 Had you even if you had
33 flakes locks of hair
34 Did challenge would have demanded
34 of from
38 fain obliged
39 rogues forlorn destitute vagabonds
40 short i.e. broken up (and hence less comfortable)
41 at once at the same time
42 concluded all come entirely to an end
46 bliss i.e. heaven
47 wheel of fire i.e. one of hell’s tortures of the damned; recalls Ixion, who, in Greek mythology, was bound to a wheel of fire for attempting to seduce the queen of the gods
47 that so that
51 wide wide of the mark, confused
54 abused wronged, ill-treated/deluded
57 Would … condition! I wish I could be sure of what state I am in!
63 fond silly
84 rage frenzy
86 further settling his mind is more settled
Act 5 Scene 1
5.1 Location: the British camp, near Dover
5.1 Drum and Colours soldiers with military flags and a drum beating
1 Know of find out from
1 last purpose most recent intention
2 since subsequently
2 advised persuaded/warned
2 aught anything, i.e. any news
4 self-reproving self-reproach
4 constant pleasure fixed wishes
5 miscarried come to harm
6 doubted feared
11 honoured honorable
13 forfended place forbidden place, i.e. Goneril’s vagina
15 I … her I cannot stand her
16 familiar too friendly/sexually intimate
20 rigour … state harshness of our government
21 cry out i.e. protest in pain
22 Why … reasoned? Why are we discussing this?
23 Combine together i.e. let us combine our two armies
24 domestic … broils private internal squabbles
27 th’ancient of war experienced senior officers
30 convenient suitable, seemly
31 know the riddle understand your enigmatic request, see your trick (Regan wants to keep a suspicious eye on Goneril)
34 I’ll overtake you presumably Albany calls after those who have or are in the process of departing
35 ope open
35 letter i.e. the letter Oswald was carrying from Goneril to Edmund