Asking for Shakespear help (Paraphrasing)

Coldkilla

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2004
3,944
0
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I am reading king lear and hit a road block. here are three passages from different pages, i'll give a few lines of text extra to try and give you some other text to refer to. The bold is what I am asking for. Thanks yall.

1.
REGAN: Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril--

CORNWALL: Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that.

GLOUCESTER: I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course.

REGAN: Wherefore to Dover, sir?

GLOUCESTER
Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head
In hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up,
And quench'd the stelled fires:
Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain.
If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time,
Thou shouldst have said 'Good porter, turn the key,'
All cruels else subscribed: but I shall see
The winged vengeance overtake such children.


CORNWALL: See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair.
Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.

-------------------------------------------

CORNWALL

I now perceive, it was not altogether your
brother's evil disposition made him seek his death;
but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable
badness in himself.

EDMUND

How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to
be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which
approves him an intelligent party to the advantages
of France: O heavens! that this treason were not,
or not I the detector!


CORNWALL

Come with me to the duchess.

EDMUND

If the matter of this paper be certain, you have
mighty business in hand.

-------------------------------------------

KENT

Importune him once more to go, my lord;
His wits begin to unsettle.

GLOUCESTER
Canst thou blame him?

Storm still

His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent!
He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man!
Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself: I had a son,
Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life,
But lately, very late: I loved him, friend;
No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee,
The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night's this!
I do beseech your grace,--


KING LEAR

O, cry your mercy, sir.
Noble philosopher, your company.
-------------------------------------------

I was just confused on what exactly they are trying to say.. If you could lend a hand I'd much appreciate it. Thanks!!
 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
The first one Gloucester is just saying "wtf, why did you turn on your father?" to Regan. I need more on the second one, it's been a while since I read Lear. The third one is Gloucester debating if he should say that it's really him and not just some crazy old guy.

If you give me more specific on where the quote is, I can always look it up.
 

Coldkilla

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2004
3,944
0
71
I really hate to put any pressure on anyone, its just that I have a test tomorrow and these three quotes are very crucial to my grade. Now I've read spark notes and other websites. I've still come to no conclusion as to their meaning -- paraphrased in modern English. If you guys could help me before morning I could look it over at school and try and see how you've come to your conclusion. g'night & thanks
 

Horus

Platinum Member
Dec 27, 2003
2,838
1
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First one: It's horrible to see what you and your sisters are doing to the king. And you'll get your comuppance.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent! - his daughters want him dead
He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! - he said it would be this way
Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself: I had a son, - I'm almost crazy myself
Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life, - I had a son (disowned?) who wanted to kill me
But lately, very late: I loved him, friend; - I loved him at the last
No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee, - no son was as dear to his father as my son was to me
The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night's this! - the grief is making me crazy
I do beseech your grace,-- - not sure what grace means in this context