Monologue

Lear Monologue from King Lear

From King Lear by William Shakespeare

male · defiant · 55 sec

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Hear me, recreant! on thine allegiance, hear me! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vows, Which we durst never yet, and with strain’d pride To come betwixt our sentences and our power, Which nor our nature, nor our place can bear, Our potency made good, take thy reward. Five days we do allot thee for provision, To shield thee from disasters of the world; And on the sixth to turn thy hated back Upon our kingdom: if, on the next day following, Thy banish’d trunk be found in our dominions, The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter, This shall not be revok’d.

About this piece

King Lear confronts a traitorous subject, expressing his fury and issuing a harsh punishment of banishment, reflecting the themes of authority and betrayal.

60 and up · anger · power · betrayal · revenge · authority

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