King Lear : Act 1, Scene 3
Enter GONERIL, and [OSWALD, her] steward.
GONERIL:
1
Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?
OSWALD:
2
Yes, madam.
GONERIL:
3
By day and night he wrongs me; every hour
4
He flashes into one gross crime or other,
4. crime: offense
5
That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:
5. That sets us all at odds: i.e., that makes everyone start quarreling with one another.
6
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
7
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,
8
I will not speak with him; say I am sick:
9
If you come slack of former services,
9. come slack of former services: do less than you used to do [for King Lear].
10
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
10. the fault of it I'll answer: I'll take the blame for it.
OSWALD:
11
He's coming, madam; I hear him.
[Hunting horns sound.]
GONERIL:
12
Put on what weary negligence you please,
13
You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question:
13. I'll have it come to question: i.e., I want to confront him about it.
14
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,
14. distaste: dislike. let him to our sister: let him go to my sister [Regan].
15
Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,
16
Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,16. Idle: foolish, whimsical.
17
That still would manage those authorities
18
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
17-18. That . . . away!: i.e., who still thinks he can wield the power he has given away!
19
Old fools are babes again; and must be used
20
With cheques as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd.
19-20. must . . . abus'd: i.e., must be dealt with by means of rebukes, rather than with misguided flatteries, when they can be clearly seen to be deluded.
21
Remember what I tell you.
OSWALD:
Well, madam.
GONERIL:
22
And let his knights have colder looks among you;
23
What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:
23. your fellows: your fellow servants
24
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,
24. occasions: confrontations
25
That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister,
25. That I may speak: i.e., in order that I can have a good excuse to set him straight. straight: immediately.
26
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.
26. To hold my very course: to do exactly as I do.
Exeunt.