Monologue

Edgar Monologue from King Lear

From King Lear by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:20 min

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Away! the foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Humh! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. (LEAR: Didst thou give all to thy two daughters? And art thou come to this?) Who gives anything to poor Tom? Whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlpool, o’er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge; made him proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inched bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom’s a-cold. O, do, de, do, de, do, de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now, and there,—and there again, and there. (Storm continues.)

About this piece

Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, expresses his torment and madness while seeking charity from passersby, revealing the depths of his suffering and the chaos surrounding him.

20s · despair · madness · isolation · identity · suffering

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