Monologue

Lear Monologue from King Lear

From King Lear by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:24 min

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Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; And to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is; and all the skill I have Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me; For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. (CORDELIA: And so I am. I am.) Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know you do not love me; for your sisters Have, as I do remember, done me wrong. You have some cause, they have not. (CORDELIA: No cause, no cause.) Am I in France?

About this piece

King Lear, in a state of confusion and madness, struggles to recognize his surroundings and the people around him, expressing his fear of losing his mind and longing for his daughter Cordelia.

60 and up · confusion · madness · identity · family · isolation

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