No Fear Shakespeare
King Lear
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 7, Page 3
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DOCTOR
Madam, do you. 'Tis fittest.
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DOCTOR
You talk to him, ma'am. That’s most appropriate.
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CORDELIA
How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
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CORDELIA
How are you, my royal lord? How is your majesty doing?
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LEAR
You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave.
Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do scald like molten lead.
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LEAR
You do me wrong by taking me out of the grave. You’re a soul in heaven, but I’m tied to the fiery wheel of a torture machine in hell. Even my tears burn me like molten lead.
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CORDELIA
Sir, do you know me?
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CORDELIA
Sir, do you know who I am?
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LEAR
You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
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LEAR
You’re a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
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CORDELIA
(aside to DOCTOR) Still, still far wide!
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CORDELIA
(whispering to the DOCTOR) He’s still in outer space.
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DOCTOR
He’s scarce awake. Let him alone awhile.
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DOCTOR
He’s still half asleep. Let him be for a bit.
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LEAR
Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?
I am mightily abused. I should ev'n die with pity
To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see.
I feel this pinprick. Would I were assured
Of my condition.
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LEAR
Where have I been? Where am I? Is it daytime? I’ve been tricked. I would die of pity to see someone else in my condition. I don’t know what to say. I can’t even be sure these are my hands. Let’s see. I feel this pinprick. I wish I knew what is happening.
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CORDELIA
(kneels)
O, look upon me, sir,
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.
No, sir, you must not kneel.
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CORDELIA
(kneeling) Look at me, sir, and give me your blessing. No, sir, don’t kneel.
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LEAR
Pray, do not mock me.
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less.
And to deal plainly
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Methinks I should know you, and know this man.
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LEAR
Please don’t make fun of me. I’m a foolish, senile old man, eighty-something years old, not an hour more or less. To put it plainly, I’m afraid I’m not quite sane. I feel I should recognize you and that man (he points to KENT),
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