36 sound i.e. sound a summons
38 champion one who fights in single combat
39 avouchèd declared, affirmed
39 miscarry lose the battle and die
41 machination plotting
44 cry make the proclamation
46 o’erlook read over
47 powers troops
49 discovery intelligence-gathering, reconnaissance
51 greet the time be ready when the time comes
53 jealous suspicious, mistrustful
58 hardly with difficulty
58 carry … side fulfill my side of the agreement (with Goneril)/achieve my own (power-seeking) ends
60 countenance authority
62 taking off murder
65 shall i.e. they shall
65 my … debate my position relies on action not discussion
Act 5 Scene 2
5.2 Location: not far from the battlefield, near Dover
5.2 Alarum trumpet call to arms
1 father form of address for an old man
2 host i.e. shelter
5.2 retreat trumpet call signaling retreat
7 ta’en (are) captured
12 Ripeness readiness/the right time
Act 5 Scene 3
5.3 Location: the British camp, near Dover
1 good guard guard them carefully
2 greater pleasures the wishes of more important people (i.e. Goneril, Regan, Albany)
3 censure judge, sentence
5 meaning intentions
6 cast down humbled by fortune/defeated in battle/dejected
14 gilded butterflies actual butterflies/lavishly dressed courtiers
14 poor rogues wretched fellows
17 take … things understand the secret inner workings of the world
18 God’s spies spying on the world on God’s behalf/looking at the world from a lofty vantage point, like God
18 wear out outlive
19 packs and sects cliques and factions
20 That … th’moon i.e. whose fortunes ebb and flow like the tides
22 sacrifices refers to either Cordelia’s sacrifice for Lear or their joint loss of freedom
23 throw incense i.e. like priests performing the sacrifice
24 brand … foxes alludes to the practice of smoking foxes out of their holes
26 flesh and fell flesh and skin (i.e. entirely)
27 starved dead
33 tender-minded sensitive, soft-hearted
34 become befit, suit
35 bear question permit discussion
38 write happy count yourself fortunate
39 carry manage
41 strain lineage
43 opposites opponents
44 use treat
48 retention detention, confinement
49 Whose refers to the king
49 charms bewitching spells
49 title name of king/legal entitlement (to land and power)
50 pluck … bosom draw the sympathies of the common people
51 turn … them i.e. turn our conscripted soldiers’ weapons against ourselves
52 queen i.e. Cordelia
55 session hearing in a court of justice
56 by your patience if you’ll excuse me
57 subject of subordinate in
59 list please
60 pleasure … demanded wishes might have been asked
62 commission authority
63 immediacy closeness, connection
66 grace merit
67 your addition the honors or titles you bestow on him
69 compeers equals
70 That … most i.e. he would be most fully invested with your rights
72 Holla whoa, stop
73 asquint crookedly, distortedly
75 full-flowing stomach a stomach full of anger (where stomach is used like “heart” for the seat of the passions)
76 patrimony inheritance
77 Dispose of use, deal with
77 walls Regan images herself as a fortress surrendering
78 Witness the world let the world witness
80 enjoy i.e. have sex with him as your husband
81 let-alone permission or refusal to give it
83 Half-blooded illegitimate (fellow is contemptuous)
86 in i.e. along with
87 gilded serpent i.e. Goneril
87 For as for
88 bar it prevent its advancement (legal term)
89 subcontracted engaged for a second time, entered into a contract that is subsidiary to her marriage contract with Albany
90 banns proclamation of marriage (spelled “banes” in Folio, perhaps playing on “evil-doings”)
91 make … to woo, make advances to
92 bespoke spoken for
93 interlude brief comic play (i.e. “What a farce!”)
97 pledge challenge/pledge to fight
97 make it i.e. make it good
98 nothing no way
101 medicine drugs (i.e. poison)
102 what whoever
108 single virtue unaided courage or strength
115 quality or degree noble birth or high rank
116 lists catalog of soldiers
127 canker-bit eaten away by canker-worms (grubs that feed on plants)
129 cope encounter, fight with
137 honours … profession i.e. as a knight
138 protest declare
139 Maugre despite
139 place position, rank
140 fire-new i.e. brand new, freshly minted
143 Conspirant a conspirator
144 upward top, crown
145 descent lowest part, sole
146 toad-spotted toads’ spots were believed to contain venom