When Toad Didn't Understand Shakespeare's King Lear

"One day, " said Swara when she came and greeting with Basmalah and Salaam, "Frog and Toad were sitting in Toad's living room. Each of them was reading a book. Frog looked at Toad, he was seriously reading his book. Then he began to tease Toad as if reading aloud, 'Three elderly sisters are sitting in the living room, chatting about various things. One sister says, 'You know, I’m getting really forgetful. This morning, I was standing at the top of the stairs, and I couldn’t remember whether I had just come up or was about to go down.'

The second sister says, 'You think that’s bad? The other day, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, and I couldn’t remember whether I was going to bed or had just woken up!'

The third sister smiles smugly. 'Well, my memory’s just as good as it’s always been, knock on wood,' then she raps on the table.

Suddenly she stood up and said, 'You sit still. I’ll answer the door.'

Frog glanced at Toad, still serious with his book. Frog carried on, 'A man moved to a nursing home. He soon noticed that a woman was constantly staring at him. After a few days, he approached her and asked, 'Ma’am, why have you been staring at me all the time?'

'You look just like my third husband,' she replied.

'Well, how many times have you been married?' he asked.

Showing her middle and index fingers, she answered, 'Twice.'

Still seriously reading his book, Toad didn't pay attention, and so, Frog went on, 'While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and resumed their trip.

Unfortunately, the elderly woman had left her glasses on the table, and she didn’t miss them until after they had been driving about thirty minutes. Then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance farther before they could find a place to turn around.

All the way back, the elderly husband fussed and scolded his wife wwhy she was so forgetful about her glasses

They finally arrived at the restaurant, and as the woman got out of the car and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the man yelled to her, 'While you’re in there, you might as well get my hat, too.'

'I give up,' Frog cried suddenly, then set his book down beside him on the couch. 'Why? What was it?' asked Frog.

'I couldn't understand this book, the words are too old,' answered the frog.

Frog then stood up and picked up the book and read the cover, 'King Lear by Shakespeare.'

'I will sue him!' said Frog.

'You're going to sue Shakespeare just because you can't understand his book? By the way, where did you get this book?' asked Frog.

'A colleague gave it to me,' answered Toad.

'Then you're going to sue him as well because you can't understand this book? Look, let me read it to you from other source but easy to understand. Would you?' asked Frog.

'Okay,' replied Frog.

'I want you to sit still and listen ...' then Frog started to tell,

'Nearly two thousand years ago, old King Lear ruled Britain. He had three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. The two older daughters were not quite beauty and mean, but the youngest daughter was beautiful and kind. Lear had always been a man who acted without thinking things through. Because of this, he was about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

One day in the palace, the Earls of Kent and of Gloucester were

talking.

'I thought the king liked Goneril’s husband, the duke of Albany, Better than the duke of Cornwall who’s married to Regan, ' said Kent.

'I always thought so,' Gloucester respond, 'but now that he is going to divide his kingdom, he’ll give an equal share to each of them.'

'I see!'

A man passed in front of them, 'Is not this your son?' asked Kent.

'Yes, though I was once ashamed to admit it,' replied Glocester.

'I don’t understand.'

'Why, his mother had a son before she had a husband! But that was

a long time ago,' sais Glocester.

'You must be proud of him now!' asked Kent.

'Oh, yes. I have a legal son, a year older than this one—and I love them both,' said Glocester then called the man saying, 'Edmund, this is the duke of Kent, a good friend.'

'I am happy to meet you, sir,' Edmund saluted Kent with a bow.

'Wait ... wait!' Toad interrupted, 'If King Lear is going to divide up his kingdom, then how would the cooperation projects with the White Bear go on? What about the new capital? Isn't it what the law has mandated?'

Frog calmly replied, 'I don't know! Why ask me? After all, he is able to change it easily. But don't be mad, if the king is replaced, old laws can be replaced as well, it's easy, right?'

Fog then continued,

'King Lear, the aging British monarch— father of Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia—whose bad judgment and arrogance eventually dooms his family and the security of his kingdom.

Lear’s eldest daughter and Albany’s wife, Goneril; a ruthless and scheming woman who conspires with her sister, Regan, to strip Lear of all power, pride, and dignity—even leading an armed revolt against her father. Goneril’s husband, the Duke of Albany—in the quarto version, or Edgar, in the folio version—who stays true to his brave

and decent nature.

Lear’s second daughter and Cornwall’s wife, Regan; as cruel, devious, and evil as Goneril, she joins her sister in seeking Lear’s destruction. Regan’s husband, the Duke of Cornwall, a ruthless fellow who imagines himself a defender of the realm.

Lear’s youngest—and favorite—daughter, Cordelia, a loyal and trustworthy woman who is disinherited because she refuses to flatter her father.

The Earl of Kent, a staunch and courageous member of Lear’s court who goes to extreme lengths to support and defend his troubled monarch.

The Earl of Glocester, a loyal member of Lear’s court who is viciously blinded for his faithfulness to Lear.

Lear’s youngest—and favorite—daughter, Cordelia, a loyal and trustworthy woman who is disinherited because she refuses to flatter her father.

The Earl of Kent, a staunch and courageous member of Lear’s court who goes to extreme lengths to support and defend his troubled monarch.

The Earl of Glocester, a loyal member of Lear’s court who is viciously blinded for his faithfulness to Lear.

Shakespeare’s play follows an old Celtic legend about King Leir. So, King Lear, a stubborn and proud old man, decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. At the sound of trumpets, King Lear entered with his court. The King said to Gloucester, 'The King of

France and the duke of Burgundy are outside, Gloucester. Bring them in.'

'I will sir,' replied Gloucester.

The King of France is the successful suitor for Cordelia’s hand in marriage who later helps Cordelia save her father. The Duke of Burgundy is one of Cordelia’s suitors.

Without waiting for his visitors, the old King made his announcement, 'I am old and tired of the troubles of ruling a Kingdom. I want to give up my throne and let my daughters rule!

'Look at this map,' pointing out a map, spread out by two royal bodyguards,' I’ve divided my kingdom into three parts. The daughter who says she loves me the most shall have the largest part.

'Goneril,' he then turned his face to his eldest daughter, 'you are the oldest. What do you say?'

'Dear Father,' says Goneril, 'I love you more than words can say! More than my eyes. . . more than my health. . . more than life itself! I love you as much as any child ever loved a father!'

'I am pleased!' the sire respond, 'I'll give you and your children all the rich land between these lines on the map,' ponting at the map, '

'Thank you, dear father,' says Goneril.

Then King Lear turned to his second daughter, 'Now our dearest Regan, wife of the Duke of Cornwall. . . what do you say?'

'I feel as my sister does,' replied Regan, 'She describes my love for you exactly—but she says too little. Nothing else in the world means anything to me compared to my father’s love!'

But Cordelia, the King’s youngest daughter, was unhappy at what her sisters said. He was thinking, 'What do I do? I love my father more than they do. If my father doesn’t know that I love him, then I can’t help it!'

While Cordelia was thinking these thoughts, the old King answered

Regan, 'To you and your children, Regan, I give this third of my Kingdom, no less than I gave Goneril!'

Then, he turned to Cordelia, his youngest and favorite daughter, 'Now my greatest joy ... courted by the leaders of France and Burgundy. What do you say, Cordelia?'

'Nothing, dear father, ' replied Cordelia.

'Nothing?' the King startled, 'Nothing will get you nothing! Speak again!'

'It makes me unhappy. . . but I can’t tell you my love in words,' said Cordelia, 'You’re my father. You’ve raised me and loved me. I obey you, love you, and honor you. I don’t see how my sisters can say they love only you. What about their husbands?

When I marry, I shall give my husband half my love and care. I cannot do what they say they do.'

'You mean all this? You are so young, but so hard-hearted?' asked the King.

'So young, Father, but so truthful!' Cordelia insisted.

'Then let your truth be your inheritance!' the King was getting mad, 'From now on you are a stranger to me! You shall have nothing!'

'But, sir ...!' Kent whispered.

'Quiet, Kent! Don’t come between me and my anger. I loved Cordelia most, but now I disown her!' Then the King decided, 'I’ll divide my

kingdom between Goneril and Regan. I’ll live with each of them in turn, with a hundred knights to serve me.'

But the Earl of Kent protested, 'I have honored you as my King ... loved you like a father. But I can’t let you make such a mistake! You are acting foolishly. Cordelia does not love you any less than the others!'

'Stop, Kent, if you want to go on living!' said the King,

'I’m not afraid to lose my life for you, sir, ' Kent responded.

'Out of my sight, or I’ll kill you myself!' the King drew his sword. You have five days in which to leave my kingdom! If you’re found here after that, you’ll be killed.'

'Then goodbye, my king. May the gods protect you, dear truthful daughter. And may your acts prove your words of love!' With this the Earl of Kent left, banished from Lear’s Kingdom

Soon afterward, the trumpets announced that the King of France

and the duke of Burgundy were entering the room, both wished to marry Cordelia. 'Welcome, France and Burgundy!' greeted King. 'My Lord of Burgundy, what is the least you ask as a dower in order to marry my daughter?'

Burgundy replied, 'Only what you have already offered me, sir.'

'I no longer love her. She will have nothing! Take her or leave her as she is,' said King

'Then, sir ... I must leave her,' Burgundy bowed withdrew himself.

'And you, great King!' asked King to France. 'Since I now hate my daughter, you’d best look elsewhere for a wife!'

'Only because you are angry with her? That makes me love her more than ever!' replied France. He then turned to Cordelia, hold her hand and said, 'Fair Cordelia, I will make you my queen and the queen of France! Tell them goodbye and come with me!'

'She is yours. I’ll never see her again! Be gone, without my love and my blessing.' Saying this, Lear left the room with the dukes of Cornwall, Albany, and Gloucester.

'Tell your sisters goodbye,' said France to Cordelia who then turned to her sisters, saying, 'I leave our father to your care. Give him the love you say you feel for him.'

'Don’t tell us what to do!' Goneril answered curtly.

'Since you now have nothing, you’d better think about pleasing your new husband!' Regan added.

And so, Cordelia went to France and Kent was exiled. King Lear gave up his powers to Goneril and Regan.

Meanwhile, in Gloucester’s castle, his son Edmund plotted against his half-brother, Edgar, 'Why should I suffer because my mother was not married to my father? Why should Edgar get everything? No! I must have Edgar’s land for myself! And this letter I have written will get it for me!' while he was holding a piece of paper, Edmund’s father, Gloucester, entered. 'Hello, Edmund. What’s new? What were you reading? Why did you hide it when I came in?'

'Nothing, dear father,' Edmund then hiding the letter into his pocket, 'It’s nothing! Only a letter from my brother ... not fit for you to read.'

'If it’s nothing, it won’t matter! Give it to me!' Gloucester held out his hand.

'Very well. Perhaps Edgar wrote it only to test my loyalty to you,' he handed over the letter.

Gloucester read the letter aloud, 'Old men own everything. They keep our fortunes from us until we are too old to enjoy them. If my father should die soon, I would give you half of his fortune. Your brother, Edgar.'

'If my father should die soon ... I would give you half his fortune ...' Edgar wrote this? Who brought it to you?'

'I found it thrown in at my window,' replied Edmund.

'Is this his handwriting?' said his Father.

'Yes. I hope his heart is not in it. But I’ve heard him say such things before,' Edmund informed.

'Oh, how could he? where is he?' asked the father.

'I don’t know. Maybe you misjudge him. I’ll find him and test him out,' replied Edmund, lying.

'Yes, do. He can’t be such a monster!' said the father left the room.

Soon afterward, Edgar entered the room and greeted, 'Hello, my brother Edmund!'

'When did you speak with our father last?' asked Edmund.

'Two hours ago, why?' Edgar answered.

'Was he angry with you at all?' Edmund began his trick.

'No, of course not!' said Edgar calmly.

'Well, he is angry with you now! You must keep out of his way!' said Edmund as if to remind Edgar.

'Someone must have lied about me!' Edgar responded.

'That’s what I am afraid of. Go to my room until he has time to cool off. Here is the key. Stay there until you hear from me,' and gave a key to Edgar, then Edmund said, 'I think he is angry enough to kill you! If you do go outside, go armed!'

'I can’t believe it! But let me know what happens,' said Edgar, leaving the room.

As Edgar went away, Edmund smiled an evil smile, he said ti himseld, 'A father who believes too easily, and a brother too noble to be suspicious ... I’ll soon have his fortune!'

It was several days later. King Lear and his knights were staying wit Goneril and the duke of Albany. Goneril spoke with Oswald, her servant, 'My father is old and foolish. He gave away his powers, but he still tries to give orders. I won’t stand for it!

His knights cause trouble. And he’s never happy with what we give him. When he returns from hunting, I won’t see him!

Tell him I’m sick. Tell the other servants not to wait on him. And treat his knights the same way!

If he doesn’t like it, let him go to my sister’s!'

'Very well, madam,' Oswald replied.

Meanwhile the earl of Kent, disguised as a stranger, arrived at Goneril’s home. He was worried about the old king and wanted to be near him. He walked closely to the King while he supposed to have his dinner. The King said ro the servant, 'I am ready for dinner and I

don’t want to wait. See to it!

What’s this? Who are you?' said the King when he looked Kent as a stranger.

'An honest fellow who wishes to serve you, ' said Kent.

'Very well, ' replied the King, 'But where’s my dinner? Where’s my

daughter?'

At that moment, the servant, Oswald, entered the room. But Instead of serving the King, he walked away again. Lear began to see that Goneril and her servants had no respect for his wishes.

Whenever he saw his oldest daughter, she looked angry. One day he could take it no longer, 'Daughter, why do you frown so much?' he said to Goneril.

' Why shouldn’t I?' said his daughter, 'Your Fool makes fun of us. Your knights make trouble. Get rid of them at once! All you need here are a few old men to serve you!'

'How can you say that to me? I have another daughter ... I’ll go to her! Saddle my horses!' But as Lear prepared to leave for Regan’s castle, Goneril made plans of her own, she ordered Oswald, 'Take this letter to my sister. Tell her everything! Then hurry back.'

While all this was happening, Edmund continued to plot against Edgar, 'You must go! Not only our father is looking for you, but Regan and the duke of Cornwall are too! They’re coming here now!' said Edmund.

'But I’ve done nothing to hurt them!' said Edgar. 'Father’s coming. Quick, draw your sword! I must pretend to fight you! Now get away, brother, quickly ... or they’ll catch you!'

'I’ll stab myself—pretend that Edgar has hurt me!' stabbing his left hand after Edgar had gone.

His father and some men entered the room, 'Where is he?'

'Light, here! Torches! Father! help!' Edmund cried, 'He’s run away.

When he couldn’t Make me promise to murder you. When I wouldn’t agree, he wounded me, ' Edmond was lying.

'I can hardly believe it! But he will be caught and killed! We’ll reward whoever catches him. And it will be death for anyone who hides him!

Cornwall and his lady arrived tonight. He’ll have Edgar outlawed in all his lands! And you, my loyal son, will take your brother’s place!' said his father, holding Edmund's shoulder.

Soon the duke of Cornwall and Regan arrived. Hearing Edmund’s story, they agreed that Edgar should be caught and punished. And then they explained why they had come. Regan said, 'My father and Goneril are angry with each other. If the king brings his knights to my house, I wish to be away!'

'You are always welcome here,' said Gloucester.

'Messengers can come and go with letters from both of them. But meanwhile, we need your advice, ' said Regan.

'I will do anything I can,' replied Gloucester.

At dawn, two messengers arrived outside. One was Kent, still disguised, with a letter from Lear, and the other was Oswald with one from Goneril, 'Why, you’re the same rascal who was so rude to the king at Goneril’s palace!' said Kent to Oswald.

'I want nothing to do with you!' Oswald responded.

'I suppose you carry letters against the King, taking Goneril’s side. Draw your sword!' Kent challenged. 'If you won’t fight, I’ll beat you! Take that!'

'No! Help! Leave me alone! Help! Help! Murder!' Oswald cried seeking for help.

Soon the people inside the castle, came out by the commotion. 'What's the matter? Peace! Stop at once!' cried Gloucester. 'It's the messengers from Goneril and the King," Regan chimed in.

'Why were you fighting this man?' asked Gloucester to Kent, but he didn't recognize him. 'I am angry that such a person should wear a sword! He doesn't look honest. I don't like his face,' Kent replied.

'Perhaps you don't like mine. . . or his, or hers?' said Cornwall, pointing to himself, Gloucester and Regan.

'Frankly, I have seen better faces in my time ...' Kent tried to explain.

But Cornwall immediately ordered his guard, 'Bring out the stocks [a wooden frame in which a person to be punished must sit for a certain time]! We'll teach this old man some manners!'

'Sir, I am here on the King's business,' Kent once again tried to explain. 'It shows little respect for him to put me in the stocks!'

They didn't want to hear, 'You'll sit there until noon! I'd say

until night ... and all night, too,' said Regan.

'Please, sir ... the King won't like it that his messenger is so badly treated ....' Gloucester tried to remind. But Cornwall and Regan didn't care, they immediately entered the castle.

While Kent had been left in the stocks, King Lear arrived at Regan’s Castle. Finding her gone, he went to Gloucester’s.

'My new servant is being punished? What does this mean? Who did it?' the King surprised when he saw Kent in the stocks.

'Your son-in-law and daughter, sir, ' replied Kent.

'My daughter?' the King's eyes widened. 'Where is she? I must see her at once!'

Seeing the King, Gloucester rushed outside to greet him.

'Where is my daughter and her husband?' asked the King.

'They know you are here... they are tired. Be patient! They will see you later,' Gloucester tried to calm the King down.

At last, Regan came to her father, 'I am glad to see you, dear father.'

'Oh, Regan... I hope so! Your sister has been so unkind. You won't believe it!' the king complained to his daughter.

'I don't believe she would do less than her duty to you. If she said that your knights were making trouble, it was with good reason!' Regan denied.

'What?' the King was shocked.

''Sir, you are old! You must be guided by others. Go back to my sisters. Tell her you were wrong,' Regan looked at her father without blinking.

'What? Ask her to forgive me? Should I go on my knees to her? Should I say, 'Dear daughter, forgive me for being old. I beg you for food, bed and clothing!' the King was amazed and started whining on the floor.

'Get up! You must not act that way!' Regan put her hands on her hips.

'Just then a trumpet sounded. 'Whose trumpet call is that?' asked Cornwall. 'My sister's! She said she would soon be here,' Regan informed her husband.

'I won't go back to her!' the King shook his head.

Goneril entered. Soon it became clear to Lear that neither of these daughters wanted him.

'Go home to Goneril with half of your knights, and she will receive you!' Regan said.

'Never!' the King refused.

'Or come to me, with only twenty-five knights. You don't need so much.' Regan said.

'Or why even one knight? Our servants will wait on you.' Goneril replied.

'Oh, heavens, help me! I must not go mad from anger and old age!' the King began to despair.

With that, the king Lear threw up his hands and rushed away. he could not believe that his two daughters had turned against him.

Gloucester followed King Lear a short way, but he soon returned, 'We must go in. A storm is coming! The King is very angry. He’s leaving. Where will he go?' he asked the King's daughters.

'It’s his own fault. Maybe it will teach him a lesson, ' they replied.

'But there’s not even a bush for shelter near here!' Gloucester mengkhawatirkan sang Raja.

'His men will take care of him. Shut your doors and lock them tight! It is a wild night. Come inside!' Regan tampak tak peduli pada ayahnya.

During the night the storm raged. On the heath, Kent met one of the King's men.

'Where is the King?' he asked.

'Out in the storm ... with only his Fool for company!' answered one of them.

'Listen! The dukes of Albany and Cornwall are plotting against each other. Goneril and Regan each want the whole kingdom! But help is coming for the King. Cordelia is in Dover with a French army. Take this ring, go to her there, and tell her what's happening.'

'I'll go quickly!' said the king's man.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, Gloucester talks with Edmund, 'They're cruel to the old King. They give the orders in my own castle. Now they're fighting among themselves!'

'That's very bad!' said Edmund.

'And I've just heard that a French army is coming to help the king. I am on the old king's side if I die for it! It's dangerous, but I must go and find the King and help him. Tell the duke I am ill and in bed,' then put a piece of paper into the drawer.

Meanwhile the storm was still raging. Kent found the King and led him to a hut. 'At least it's something. Please go inside, sir!' he said to the King.

'No, I must put up with what the poor have suffered all these years, when I never knew how it was,' the King was unmoved.

Suddenly the imbecile Tom, shouted, 'There's a ghost inside here! Help me!'

The 'ghost' was Edgar. To escape, he has disguised himself as a mad beggar, 'Go away!' he said.

'Have his daughters brought him to this sad state?' said the King softly. Then Lear finally decided to enter the hut and get warm. But before he could do so, Gloucester found him, 'Sir, I won't obey your daughters! Let me give you a place to stay.'

'First let me talk to this philosopher. What is the cause of thunder?' Lear turned to Edgar.

Kent whispered to Gloucester, 'Listen to him. I am afraid he is losing his mind.'

'Can you blame him? His daughters are trying to kill him!' said Gloucester while holding the torch. During this time, Gloucester had not recognized his son Edgar.

And henceforth in his castle, the son he trusted was betraying him! Edmund handed Cornwall a letter, 'Here is the letter my father had. It proves that he is helping France against you!'

'I will get even with him! And you will become the Earl in his place! Find him so we may capture him!' responded Cornwall.

At last the King entered the hut, and Gloucester went away. But soon he returned, 'I've overheard a plot to kill the King! Quick, put him on a stretcher and carry him to Dover!' he said.

'Yes! Cordelia is there with a French army!' Kent said.

The King was carried away.

But the next morning, Gloucester was captured and brought to the duke of Cornwall, 'Evil man. Where is the King? What letters have you had from france?' asked Cornwall.

'I have done nothing wrong. The French armies came only to protect the King from his cruel children! I shall see revenge from heaven overtake such children!' answered Gloucester.

'You'll never see it! You'll have no eyes!' In a moment Cornwall had blinded Gloucester in one eye. But as Cornwall moved to attack again, one of Gloucester's servants drew his sword, 'Sir, I've served you all my life, but I can't let you do this cruel thing!' Cornwall and the servant fought. Cornwall was wounded.

'Husband, give me your sword!' shouted Regan, and she killed the servant. Even though he was hurt, Cornwall blinded Gloucester's other eye.

'Everything's dark! Where's my son Edmund?' asked Gloucester.

'Edmund? He hates you!' Regan replied, 'It was Edmund who showed us the letter you had!'

'Then Edgar has been true to me!' Gloucester is sorry.

Gloucester was put outside. A very old man came by and helped him. Soon they met Edgar, still dressed like a mad beggar.

'You must leave me, friend, for you'll be in trouble! But who is here?' he said to the mad beggar. 'I've lost my good wits, sir, but I can lead you where you want to go,' said Edgar, supporting his father. And so, unknown to Gloucester, the son who truly loved him became his guide.

The next day, Goneril and Edmund returned to Albany's castle. 'Where is the duke?' Goneril asked a waiter. 'Inside, but very changed! When he heard a French army had landed, he was pleased!' he replied. Albany was a kind, just man. When he heard how the old king and Gloucester had been treated, he was angry. His love for Goneril had that moment turned to hate.

'Then you must go back to Cornwall. Help them get their army ready to fight the French,' said Goneril to Edmund, 'And take this kiss

to remember me by! You'll hear from me soon,'

'I'm yours until death!' said Edmund. Finding Edmund very much like himself, Goneril had fallen in love with him.

As Edmund left, the duke of Albany entered the room. And almost at the same time, a messenger arrived, 'Cornwall has died from his wounds!' said the messenger. 'Then he has been punished for his cruel actions!' cried Albany, raising his fist. Goneril who heard this said to himself, 'And Regan's a widow, free to marry Edmund, whom I love!'

Meanwhile, Cordelia and the French were in Dover. Kent and King Lear arrived safely, although from what he had suffered, the King was now half mad, 'The King is too ashamed to see you Cordelia. He is wandering outside somewhere,' Kent said to Cordelia. 'He must be found and cared for!' said Cordelia.

At the same time, Edgar and Gloucester had also arrived in Dover, 'Good madman, are we on the edge of the high cliff I spoke about before?' Gloucester asked Edgar. 'We are!' replied Edgar, 'It makes me dizzy to look down!' But knowing that his father would try to kill himself, Edgar had brought him to a flat place instead.

'I will live no longer! If Edgar is still alive, may he be blessed!' And believing he was on a high cliff, Gloucester jumped. Then he fainted. Edgar held him until he came to himself again, 'Where am I?

Did I fall? Who are you?' asked Gloucester.

'I was here at the foot of a high cliff when you jumped!' replied Edgar pretending, 'I saw you fall! It is a miracle that you are still alive!'

'If the gods have saved me, then I will stay alive, even with no eyes,' Gloucester tried to stand up.

Just then King Lear came upon them, and they could tell that he was

mad, 'Look, look. . . a mouse! Draw your swords!' the King mocked. 'I know that voice—it's the King!' said Gloucester. Edgar and

Gloucester listened sadly as the mad King raved. Then Cordelia's

men found him, 'Here he is! Take him gently!' said one of them. 'Sir, your loving daughter ...' said another, but the King refused, 'Am I a prisoner? Treat me well. I am a King. But first you must catch me! Ha ha ha ha!' Then the King ran while singing, 'Where is my child! Where is my child!' reminds us of the madman in the puppet television series, Si Unyil.

'How sad it is to see him like this! But one daughter still loves him,' said one of Cordelia's men.

'Tell me—are the armies nearby?' Edgar asked one of Cordelia's bodyguards.

'The troops of Albany and Cornwall are very close. There'll be a

great battle soon,' said the bodyguard.

'Then I must take this good old man to a safe place,' said Edgar.

Some time before, Goneril had given Oswald an important letter for Edmund. And Regan had promised Oswald a reward for finding and killing Gloucester. Just as Edgar and Gloucester were leaving, Oswald came upon them, 'Here is the prize that will make me rich! Out of my way, peasant!' drawing his sword to slay Gloucester.

'I warn you, don't come near the old man!' Edgar protected his father. But Oswald would not listen. They fought and Oswald received a fatal wound, he said, 'I'm dying! But take the letter you find on my body to Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. He'll reward you!' As Oswald died, Edgar read the letter, 'You have many chances to kill my husband and free me! Remember our vows of love and return to marry me. Your loving Goneril.' Edgar thought, 'So, that is what's happening! I will make use of this at a later time!'

Meanwhile, Lear had at last been led to the nearby French camp, 'Dear Kent, my life will be too short to repay you for your goodness to my father!' said Cordelia. 'I was happy to help him, madam!' Kent replied. An old man approached, and Cordelia asked, 'Doctor! How is the King?' The doctor replied, 'Still sleeping. But I think, you might wake him up now.'

Lear was carried in. 'How are you, sir? Do you know me?' Cordelia asked her father. 'I am a foolish old man ... eighty years and more. my mind is not clear!' replied the King, sadly. 'I should know you and this man. Don't laugh ... I think you are my child, Cordelia.' immediately Cordelia cried and the King said, 'Don't cry! I know you can't love me ... I gave you cause to hate me!'

'No cause, sir! I do love you!' replied Cordelia, then the King hugged her. 'Come with me, Father,' said Cordelia, leading her father. 'His madness is gone. He is much better. Now he should rest,' said the doctor to Kent.

In the British Camp, Edmund and Regan waited for Albany and Goneril to arrive with their army. Regan was talking to Edmund, 'I don't trust Albany! And my sister ... are you in love with her?'

'My feelings for your sister are most honorable!' replied Edmund.

Cornwall's death had made Regan a widow. She was jealous of Goneril because she was now in love with Edmund too. Soon Albany and Goneril arrived. Albany told them, 'I will not fight Cordelia

and our King—only against the French armies who have entered our land.'

While Goneril watched Regan and Edmund, she thought, 'There's Regan. I'd rather lose the battle than lose Edmund to her!' But the sisters could not worry about Edmund at the moment.

As they left for Albany's tent to plan their battle, Edgar entered dressed as a peasant. He met Albany, handed him a letter and said, 'Before you fight the battle, read this letter. And if you need me to prove the truth of it, have someone call for me!'

At this Edgar left and Edmund returned, he said to Albany, 'The enemy's here! Get ready.' And Albany was getting ready to go to war. While Albany was busy preparing troops, Edmund thought, 'Both sisters love me and are jealous. Regan is already a widow, but Albany may die in battle! Which one shall I choose? Well in any case, lear and Cordelia must die, even though Albany will protect them,'

Soon the armies met in battle. In a short time everything was over, the French troops were defeated, Lear and Cordelia were captured. Edgar rushed back to Gloucester, he said to his father, 'Come quickly... I'll lead you to safety! The French are beaten! Cordelia and Lear are

captured!'

In the British camp, Edmund was in charge. He ordered that Lear and Cordelia be put in prison. The prisoners were led away, but Edmund had more plans for them. He gave a letter to a bodyguard, 'Take this note. Do what it says, and your fortune will be made!'

Then the other leaders, Albany, Genoril and Regan, arrived. Albany said, 'Where are Lear and Cordelia? I must see that they are well treated.'

'They are under guard ... ready when you want them, brother,' replied Edmund.

'You fought well Edmund, but you are not my brother or my equal,' said Albany. Regan interrupted, 'He led my troops for me! He can call you brother!' But Goneril said, 'Only if he marries you! And he'll never do that!'

Regan turned to her brother and said, 'That's what you think! I'll give him my armies, my land, everything! He'll be my lord and master!'

'Well, you won't have him for long!' Goneril responded, and suddenly Regan swayed and clutched her stomach, 'Oh! suddenly

I feel very sick!' Apparently, somehow, Goneril had poisoned Regan.

Suddenly the angry Albany spoke, 'Edmund, I arrest you for treason ... and my wife as well, since she helped you! If no one else can prove this, I'll fight you myself!'

'And I will defend myself!' replied Edmund.

After this, Regan was helped away. Albany prepared to fight Edmund as the law required. The jury announced, 'If any other man will fight Edmund, the Earl of Gloucester, to prove him a traitor, let him appear now! Otherwise, the duke of Albany will do so!'

As the trumpets sounded through the camp, Edgar appeared, disguised as a knight with his face covered, and said to Edmund, 'You have done wrong to your brother and your father; you have plotted against this Prince. My sword will prove it!'

'Whoever you are, my sword will prove that you lie!' challenged Edmund. And the two men fought. Edmund was wounded.

Goneril rushed to Edmund's side and said, 'This proves nothing! You were tricked!' But Albany rebuked her, 'Shut your mouth, woman, or I'll stop it with this paper! This is your letter to Edmund, telling him to kill me. Do you recognize it?' while showing a letter to Goneril. With that, Goneril rushed away!

Then, suffering from his wound and fearing that he might die, Edmund was suddenly sorry for all he had done, he said to Edgar, 'I am guilty of all you've said, and more. But who are you?' Edgar uncovered his head, and said, 'I am Edgar ... your father's son.' Albany approached him, greeted him by saying, 'Welcome, good Gloucester. Where have you hidden? How did you know of your father's troubles?' Edgar explained, 'I was disguised as a mad beggar. And I've cared for him since he was blinded. I was disguised as a mad beggar. And I've cared for him since he was blinded. Only half an hour ago I told him the truth, asked his blessing... and he died. But just before, another man came in and hugged my father. It was Kent!'

'And where has he been?' he asked. 'He has followed the King in disguise and served him.'

Just then a servant rushed in, 'Help! Help! She's dead!'

'What does that bloody knife mean?' Edgar asked the servant.

'Who is dead! Speak, man!' Albany added.

'Goneril, sir. . . she stabbed herself! And she has poisoned her sister! She confessed it!' Albany ordered the two sisters' bodies to be brought in, 'Bring their bodies here.'

A few moments later a man approached, 'Here comes Kent.' said Edgar. Meanwhile several servants put the bodies of Goneril and Regan beside the dying Edmund. Albany greeted Kent, 'There is no time to greet you properly, Kent, but welcome anyway.' Kent said, 'I'm looking for the King. Isn't he here?'

Albany was startled because he remembered something, 'The King! I forgot! Edmund, where's the King? Where's Cordelia?'

Edmund replied, 'Perhaps I can do some good before I die. Send to the castle, quick! Lear and Cordelia are to be killed. Your wife and I gave orders ... to hang Cordelia ... and to say she did it herself! Go quickly!'

They rushed to the castle, but it was too late. They found Lear carrying Cordelia who was no longer alive, 'Cry out, you men of stone! She's gone forever! Cordelia! Cordelia!' Truly, father's love for his daughter, will be very different from his love to his son. Why? Love comes from the heart, only the heart can answer it.

'Oh, my dear master!' Kent looked sad.

'I killed the man who was hanging her... My poor dear is dead. I'll never see her again. . . never!' and suddenly, Lear fell down. Kent came over to help him but, 'It's too late. He is dead. It's a wonder he has suffered so much, ' said Kent.

Then all the corpses were then taken away gently for burial preparations. Albany said to Edgar and Kent, 'Our job is to pick up the pieces. You two must rule this kingdom now.' But Kent refused, he said, 'No, sir. Edgar must rule alone. My heart is broken. I must follow my master soon, on a long journey to death.'

Lear, Cordelia, Gloucester, Edmund, Regan, Goneril—all were dead. For those who were left, only a sad funeral march remained. When accompanying those who died to the cemetery, Edgar said, 'I will rule this land. And nothing like this shall ever happen again!'

Then the story ends.

Toad said, 'What a sad tragedy.' Frog responded, 'Don't be sad. Listen to this story, 'A young man brought his wife to a small town doctor's office in an emergency. The nurses escorted the woman to the examination area, and the husband anxiously took a seat in the lobby.

For the next few minutes, he could hear the doctor bark an unsettling string of orders to the staff. First it was, 'Screwdriver!' Then, 'Knife!' Then, 'Pliers!'

When he heard 'Sledgehammer!' the young man could bear the tension no longer. He burst into the examination room and shrieked, 'Doctor, what's wrong with her?'

'We have no idea,' the doctor said. 'Right now, we're still trying to open the medicine cabinet.'"

"I have to go, my time is up," said Swara, and before disappeared, she said, "Shakespeare wrote the play not only to write a tragedy, but to leave a lot of moral, as the word 'lear' means 'something learned' or 'a lesson.'

Lear, the aging king, decides to relinquish his throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters as determined by their affirmations of love. Enraged and disappointed over daughter Cordelia's declaration, he banishes her and divides his kingdom equally between her two sisters. Jealousy and pride consume the two as they seek to control the kingdom. Treachery and betrayal lead to tragedy as the king slowly loses his grip on reality. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Emily Hutchinson, King Lear - William Shakespeare, Saddleback Educational Publishing.
- Burton Raffel, King Lear - The Annotated Shakespeare, Yale University Press.

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