King Lear in modern English, scene by scene

About this translation

Every scene of King Lear is set out twice: William Shakespeare’s words on one side, and on the other a plain modern English rendering of the same lines, in the same order. It is a way to read the original, not a replacement for it — the rendering says what the text says, and the text is the thing you quote.

Line numbers count the verse lines of each scene in the public-domain Project Gutenberg edition these pages are set from, so they may not match the numbering in a printed edition.

1. Act 1, Scene 1 — A Room of State in King Lear’s PalaceI thought the King was fonder of the Duke of Albany than of Cornwall.
2. Act 1, Scene 2 — A Hall in the Earl of Gloucester’s CastleYou, Nature, are my goddess; my service is pledged to your law. Why should I stand under…
3. Act 1, Scene 3 — A Room in the Duke of Albany’s PalaceDid my father hit my servant for telling off his fool?
4. Act 1, Scene 4 — A Hall in Albany’s PalaceIf I can borrow another way of speaking as well as I've borrowed this look, one that can…
5. Act 1, Scene 5 — Court before the Duke of Albany’s PalaceGo on ahead of me to Gloucester with these letters. Tell my daughter nothing more of what…

1. Act 2, Scene 1 — A court within the Castle of the Earl of GloucesterGod save you, Curan.
2. Act 2, Scene 2 — Before Gloucester’s CastleGood morning to you, friend. Do you belong to this house?
3. Act 2, Scene 3 — The open CountryI heard myself declared an outlaw, and thanks to the lucky hollow of a tree I escaped the…
4. Act 2, Scene 4 — Before Gloucester’s Castle; Kent in the stocksIt's strange that they should leave home like that and not send my messenger back.

1. Act 3, Scene 1 — A HeathWho's there, besides this foul weather?
2. Act 3, Scene 2 — Another part of the heathBlow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! You waterfalls and hurricanes, spout…
3. Act 3, Scene 3 — A Room in Gloucester’s CastleOh no, oh no, Edmund, I don't like this unnatural behaviour. When I asked their…
4. Act 3, Scene 4 — A part of the Heath with a HovelThis is the place, my lord; please, my lord, go in. The cruelty of this open night is too…
5. Act 3, Scene 5 — A Room in Gloucester’s CastleI will have my revenge before I leave his house.
6. Act 3, Scene 6 — A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the CastleThis is better than being out in the open air; be grateful for it. I'll add to the…
7. Act 3, Scene 7 — A Room in Gloucester’s CastleRide quickly to your husband, my lord, and show him this letter: the army of France has…

1. Act 4, Scene 1 — The heathStill, it is better to be like this, and known to be despised, than to be despised and…
2. Act 4, Scene 2 — Before the Duke of Albany’s PalaceWelcome, my lord. I'm surprised our gentle husband didn't meet us on the road. Now, where…
3. Act 4, Scene 3 — The French camp near DoverDo you know any reason why the King of France has gone back so suddenly?
4. Act 4, Scene 4 — The French camp. A TentSadly, yes, it's him. Someone met him just now, as mad as the storm-tossed sea, singing…
5. Act 4, Scene 5 — A Room in Gloucester’s CastleBut have my brother-in-law's forces marched out?
6. Act 4, Scene 6 — The country near DoverWhen will I reach the top of that hill you spoke of?
7. Act 4, Scene 7 — A Tent in the French CampOh, good Kent, how can I ever live and act in a way that equals your goodness? My life…

1. Act 5, Scene 1 — The Camp of the British Forces near DoverFind out from the Duke whether he still means to do what he last decided, or whether…
2. Act 5, Scene 2 — A field between the two CampsHere, father, take the shade of this tree as your kind host; pray that the just side…
3. Act 5, Scene 3 — The British Camp near DoverSome officers, take them away. Guard them well until the wishes of those greater than us…