Authors: William Shakespeare
231
dread-bolted
hurling terrifying thunderbolts
233
cross
forked
233
watch
remain awake/be on guard
234
perdu
“lost one” (French), the name given to a guard placed in an extremely open, dangerous position
234
helm
helmet/covering of hair
238
conductor … people
commander of his forces
242
Report
rumor
243
powers … kingdom
British forces
243
apace
rapidly
244
arbitrament
deciding of the dispute
246
point … wrought
the conclusion of my aims will be thoroughly brought about
247
Or
either
248
abuses
dishonors, wrongs
249
doubtful
fearful
249
conjunct And bosomed
sexually intimate
250
as … hers
to the fullest extent
253
honest
honorable
254
For
as for
255
touches us as
i.e. affects our honor insofar as
256
bolds
insofar as it emboldens
256
with
(who) along with
257
Most … oppose
has most just and weighty grounds for hostility
261
the … sharpness
i.e. in the heat of emotion even the best grounds for hostility are cursed by those who have suffered the losses and afflictions of battle (Edmund pretends to be anxious that Lear and Cordelia receive a fair trial)
265
period
limit, extreme point
266
such … not
those who do not love
266
another … extremity
to enlarge upon another sorrowful tale (that of Kent) would increase sorrow even further and exceed all limits
269
big in clamour
loud in lamentation
270
estate
condition
273
fastened … neck
i.e. embraced me
274
As
as if
277
puissant
powerful
277
strings of life
i.e. heartstrings
279
’tranced
absorbed by grief/in a faint, unconscious
282
enemy king
i.e. the king who had treated him as an enemy
283
Improper for
unfitting even for