KING LEAR

ACT 1

SCENE 1

(King Lear is in his bedroom)

KING LEAR:(Talking to himself) I’m an old man and I need somebody to reign in this
Kingdom. I will talk with my daughters, this will show me their love for me, then I will
divide my lands and money among them according to their love for me.

KING LEAR:(walks out of his bedroom) Call my daughters, tell them that I need to
talk to every one of them.

SCENE 2

(King Lear is with Goneril, Regan and Cordelia in his palace)

CORDELIA: Did you call us father?.

KING LEAR: Yes, I call you to be here because; I have an announcement to do. I’m
old and tired of government. What I’m going to do is to divide my Kingdom. What do
you think Goneril?

GONERIL: I love you father more than words can tell, you are dearer for me than the
light of my own eyes, dearer than life itself and I will govern for you.

KING LEAR :(smiling): You are my oldest daughter, and I give to you and your
husband one-third of my large Kingdom. What do you want to say to me Regan?

REGAN: (kneeling): I just know that I love you more than my life, my possession, I
love you more than everything that I have, and I´m sure that my love is greater that
my sister´s love.

KING LEAR :( very happy): I´m very pleased to hear this. I give you another third of
my kingdom, equal in size to share with Goneril

KING LEAR :( looking at his youngest daughter): Cordelia, you are my joy, what do
you want to say to your father.

CORDELIA :( very serious): I love you father according to my duty, neither more nor
less.

KING LEAR (shocked): Improve your speech; your words are spoiling your fortune.
CORDELIA (very sad): Father I love you because you are my father and because you
love me since I was born and I don´t have more to say.
KING LEAR (angry): If these are your words, my decision is this I share your part of
my Kingdom equally in size between your two sisters and their husbands.

Scene 3

(Lear King was in his throne, near to him, were his daughters, after, he does a
reminder to one of his servants, and the servant comes near the king and
bends)

Learn king: (with voice of authority) you go to call the France king and the Duke of
Burgundy.

Servant: Yes, My lord.

(The servant leave the room and he bring near to the two men).

Servant: The Lear King wants to tell with you, you can come in Room.

(The two man come in Room, They bring near to the Lear King).

King Lear: I divided my kingdom in two parts, one part for Goneril, and another part
for Regan.

Duke of Burgundy: My lord, I’m sorry but I’m afraid that I abandon the Idea of getting
married with your daughter, her new situation is complicate for me.

Lear King: I understand your point (Lear see to France King), and think you now?

(The king of France sees Cordelia with love, after this he sees the King)

The King of France: I see Cordelia loves you, even though you have been cruelty in
her; I think her goodness its worth more than a kingdom, for this reason, she will be
my wife and be my queen and rule over fairer kingdom than your other daughters.

(The king of France takes the hand of Cordelia)

The king of France: You say goodbye to your family.

Cordelia: (With tears in her eyes) goodbye my father, (Cordelia see to her sisters
and speak toward them). I hope so that you will be good and my father too.

Goneril: You can go peaceful, our father will be good with Regan and me, and best
you try to make your husband happy.

Regan: Yes, your obligation is to give thanks to him because he accepted you
almost as a beggar, without lands and money.
(The king of France and Cordelia live the room).

ACT II

SCENE 1

KING LEAR: (At the entrance of Goneril’s palace) Hey Goneril, it’s nice to see you
this afternoon. How are you doing? I’d love to talk to you for a while.

GONERIL: (With anger and sickness) please, not now father, I’m tired and not in
the mood for discussions. By the way, I already told you about those soldiers, didn’t
I? They are costing the earth, we have to feed all hundred of them, and what not,
don’t you see?

KING LEAR: (Sadly) But…

GONERIL: (With an angry face) I said not now. I’ll see you later. Servant, take my
father to his bedroom.

KING LEAR: (Sad) No, why? I want to stay here. Let me be.

SERVANT: (Smiling) Orders are orders.

GONERIL: (Angry, shouting) Father, stop it. Now obey, and if you keep your
soldiers here with you, you all will have to leave!

KING LEAR: (disappointed) but my child…

GONERIL: Don’t you see they’re both expensive and useless?! They only fill my
court with noise and feasting. So I demand you to reduce them. You may keep the
old ones.

KING LEAR: (Angry) what on earth are you saying?! It’s all lies. My soldiers couldn’t
be more polite.

GONERIL: (Underestimating him) Yes, whatever. But I have spoken.

KING LEAR: (Ignoring him, crying and going away) I really can’t believe this.
What happened to my loving daughter?
 SCENE II

(The Earl of Kent outside of King Lear’s room)

EARL OF KENT: (sadly) my king´s decision is bringing me so much pain. I only want
to help, but what should I do?

SOLDIER: (sights) I see your point, since you have always been faithful to him. I
totally agree with you on not leaving the king alone. He needs you now more than
ever.

EARL OF KENT: (Exalted) Wait! I’ve got it! I will stay in Britain and continue serving
the king without being noticed.

SOLDIER: (amazed) but how?

EARL OF KENT: I will disguise myself as one of his servants, and earn his trust. The
king will not know who I am.

SOLDIER: (worried) it’s a dangerous move, isn’t there another way?

EARL OF KENT: No! It’s the only thing I can do. From now on, the world shall know
me as Caius.

(Later that day, Kent, disguised as a servant, heard the King discussing with
one of Goneril’s servants.)

GONERIL’S SERVANT: (arrogant) and you dare call yourself king? You useless old
man?!

KING LEAR: (upset) You´ve got nerves talking to me like that.

(Kent (Caius) comes furious into the room, interrupting)

EARL OF KENT [CAIUS]: (furious) you must respect your majesty! He is the father
of Lady Goneril and he is still the king.

(Caius knocks down the servant)

KING LEAR: (gratefully) Thank you servant, as I see it, you and the Jester are the
only ones who I can trust now.

EARL OF KENT [CAIUS]: Thank you your majesty.

(Enters Goneril)

GONERIL: (yelling at Caius) thou should be punished for what you’ve done.
KING LEAR: (Disappointed) I can’t believe this. You prefer defend your servant
than your own father. I’m going to Regan’s palace right now with all my people.
Prepare my horses!

GONERIL: Do as you wish.

KING LEAR: I pray that you never have a child, and if you do, I hope he lives to show
you the same disrespect that you have shown me.

GONERIL: Sure! Be gone now!

KING LEAR: You’ll see. It’s worse than the bite of a snake. Now I realize Cordelia
was right.

DUKE OF ALBANY: (Excusing himself) my king, you could see I never said…

KING LEAR: (Interrupting) I don’t want to listen to you either. Let’s go gentlemen;
we have a long way ahead of us.

DUKE OF ALBANY: But sire…

KING LEAR: (Ignoring him, crying and going away) I really can’t believe this.
Caius, give my daughter the good news, I’m sure I’ll make her day with my visit.
Come on soldiers.

King, Caius and soldiers leave.

GONERIL: (Talking to her messenger) Now thou shall take my letters to my sister
Regan. She mustn’t receive my father with such a large numbers of followers.

SCENE III

Kent [Caius] approaches Regan’s palace, but recognizes Goneril's messenger

arriving at the same time

EARL OF KENT [CAIUS]: (angrily) you’re Goneril’s servant aren’t you!

GONERIL'S SERVANT: (mockingly) and you must be that noisy intruder.

EARL OF KENT [CAIUS]: (angrily) I will not let you insult me, let’s settle this once
and for all; I challenge you to a duel.

GONERIL'S SERVANT: (laughs) I won’t waste my time with someone like you.
.
Kent [Caius] can’t stand the insult and gives him a beating, leaving him wounded on
the floor. Regan enters and sees this.
REGAN: (screams) Soldiers! Take him away to the main square and beat him just
like he did to this poor man until he learns his lesson.

EARL OF KENT [CAIUS]: (nervous) No! My lady, let me explain.

REGAN: (ignoring him) there is nothing to explain, take him immediately.

The guards take Caius and torture him in the middle of the square.
SCENE IV

King Lear enters the palace with his soldiers and sees Caius tied up and beaten.

KING LEAR: (surprised) what is this outrageous scene?! Guard; tell my daughter
Goneril I need to speak with her immediately.

GUARD: I apologize on behalf of my lady, but she can’t see you right now.

KING LEAR: (surprised and seriously) It´s not possible, I demand to see her right
away and that´s an order.

Regan and her husband finally come out along with Goneril.

KING LEAR: (awfully shocked) what is this? I only want to talk to Regan, but I see
you´ve come to turn her against me. And still you dare to look at me in the eyes?
Regan, I only want to come and live with you and be the happy family we once were.

GONERIL: She doesn´t want to hear from you. I think it´s better for you to leave.

KING LEAR: I rather go and beg for help in France than to go back with you Goneril.
But I know Regan still has a kind heart don´t you Regan?

REGAN: (doubtfully) father, don´t you think 50 soldiers are too much for you? It
would be better if you just kept 25 of them.

KING LEAR: disappointed) I see how things are. I now understand that your love is a
lot smaller than that of your sister towards me. In that case, I prefer to take my 50
soldiers and go with Goneril.

GONERIL: But father because do you really need 50 soldiers, or 25, or 10, or even 5,
when our servants can take care of you.

KING LEAR: (mad with anger) I will never forget you filthy creatures. But for now I
have no other option than to leave.
 SCENE V

King Lear stands alone outside of the castle.

KING LEAR: (with anger) I can’t believe it! My own daughters treat me like a beggar;
they are so ungrateful after all the care I´ve given them. I might be dreaming but they
will be punished someday.
Enters Caius.

CAIUS: (worried) Sir, your daughter hasn’t approved our entry, what shall we do?

KING LEAR: Set the horses! I prefer to be outside instead of staying under the same
roof as my ungrateful daughters.

CAIUS: But Sir, look at the sky, looks like a big storm is coming, I think that’s not a
good idea.

KING LEAR: They are going to pay some day so go now! Bring the horses and lets´
go!

SCENE VI

King Lear is traveling with Caius, the fool and his companions.

FOOL: (scared) my king, we are on a wasteland and there’s no place for shelter in
miles! The rain is beginning to increase.

KING LEAR: Let the wind blow the earth into the sea! People like my daughters don´t
deserve to live, and I hope my daughter’s castle gets wiped out by the rain.

FOOL: (frightened) My King! I don’t see anyone else, the fog it’s thick, and we could
be lost; we should stop and wait for some one.

KING LEAR: (crying) they’ll have to pay someday, I can’t believe it!

FOOL: (nervously joking) my king, today is a bad night for swimming, change that
face!

Caius appears out of the blue.

CAIUS: (tired) my king, I’ve found a little hut to stay while the storm passes, it’s not a
good idea to be outside wile raining.

KING LEAR: (ignoring Caius) Explain to me faithful subjects, the behavior of my

daughters. I have given them all that they wanted. That has got to count for
something.
CAIUS: My king tomorrow will be another day, but I insist, let’s go and get some
shelter.

(They arrive at the hut and the fool enters first coming out immediately)

CAIUS: What happened fool, looks like you´ve seen a ghost.

FOOL: There´s a wicked spirit that place, I’m not going back in there.

CAIUS: Don’t be a crybaby, I’ll enter and you will see that there´s no such thing as
ghosts.

(Caius enters the hut and comes out with a beggar)

KING LEAR: Tell me poor man, did you too, give everything to you daughters; there
is nothing in the world that could bring to a man such misery except unkind children.

(They all go inside the hut except for Caius)

CAIUS: O god, what should I do! My king isn’t in his right mind, his daughters have
made him mad; please help me to guide him and take him down the good path.

ACT III

SCENE I

(Within the walls of the castle at Dover. The Earl of Kent and a soldier are
talking)

EARL OF KENT: I think he will be safer here than anywhere else.

SOLDIER I: Do not worry about him my Lord; he is in good hands now.

EARL OF KENT: Of that I’m sure. Here at Dover he will get all the cares a
King deserves.
(A third man interrupts the conversation)

SOLDIER II: Your vessel is awaiting, my Lord.

EARL OF KENT: I must sail to France now. It won’t be a problem finding

Lady Cordelia.

SOLDIER I: Leave now my Lord. We’ll take care of the King

(The Earl of Kent leaves to his vessel and sails to France)

 SCENE II

(The gardens of the Palace of Versailles. The Earl of Kent and Lady Cordelia are
talking near a fountain)

CORDELIA: (Fall to her knees and starts crying) I just can’t believe it. How could
they do that to our father? Have they no hearts?

EARL OF KENT: (Tries to calm her down) It’s been an awful time for your father, I
know, but you must not cry my Lady. Your father needs you more than ever, and I
think you should go to him.

CORDELIA: (Stands up and wipes the tears of her face) Ok then, we’ll leave as
soon as we can.

(The King of France comes out of the palace)

KING OF FRANCE: (Staring angrily at the Earl) What have you done to my
beloved? Why is her face full of tears?

CORDELIA: My Lord, this noble Earl hasn’t done anything to me. My sisters have.
To me and to my father.

KING OF FRANCE: (Looking surprised) What are you saying?

CORDELIA: I have no time to explain my Lord, but I need to leave to England today
if it is possible. And I need you to lend me an army.

KING OF FRANCE: (Even more surprised) Are you talking of an invasion? But
England has been our allied for many years.

CORDELIA: (Begging) Please my Lord, you must trust in me. I’d never do anything
to harm you or your kingdom.

KING OF FRANCE: I trust your judge my love. If an army you need, an army you’ll
get (He calls a guard that was standing nearby) Soldier! Gather my war councilors
immediately!

SOLDIER I: Yes Sir!

CORDELIA: (Bursting into tears) Thank you my Lord.

(Cordelia and the Earl of Kent leave to England with an army)

 SCENE III

(Cordelia, the Earl of Kent, a soldier and a doctor are talking outside King
Lear’s chambers)

EARL OF KENT: (Looking upset) How could he escape? I thought he was being
watched.

SOLDIER I: And he was my Lord. It must’ve been during the change of guard.

EARL OF KENT: Luckily for you, some of Lady Cordelia’s soldiers found him. As far
as I know he was singing and wearing a crown made of grass.

CORDELIA: (Sobbing) Oh father, what have they done to you?

DOCTOR: You do not need to worry your Highness. We have stabilized your father,
and as soon as the medicines take effect, you’ll be able to see him.

CORDELIA: Thank you doctor. If you help my father back to good health, I’ll give you
all my kingdom’s gold.

(Cordelia and the Earl of Kent leave the place and the Doctor reenters King
Lear’s chambers)

SCENE IV

(Inside King Lear’s chambers. Cordelia and the King are talking)

KING LEAR: (Tears are pouring down his face) Oh my child. I’m so glad you’re
with me now. But I do not deserve such treat from you. Not after everything I did.

CORDELIA: (Sitting next to her father’s bed and gently grabbing his hand) I
treat you as you deserve, as a king does.

KING LEAR: (Fall to his knees) Will you ever forgive me?
CORDELIA: (Picks her father of the floor) Oh father, you don’t need to ask for my
forgiveness. I’m only doing my duty. I’m your child and I’m supposed to love you
above everything else. Now (she kisses her father’s forehead) you need to forget
all of my sister’s unkindness.

KING LEAR: I don’t think I’ll be able to.

CORDELIA: (Starting to lose control) Shame on them! How could they turn you into
the cold air? I would not have done that even to an enemy.

KING LEAR: (Calming her down) Forgive me my child. I’m an old and a foolish man
and I regret everything I did to you.
CORDELIA: (Staring tenderly to her father) I came here to help you, and so I did.

KING LEAR: And for that I’m grateful.

(Cordelia hugs her father)