King Lear
Vocabulary

2 uses

Yet am I noble as the adversary I come to cope.†

adversary = opponent

1 use

Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure; which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay.†

allay = reduce the intensity of or calm

1 use

Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honour her!†

derogate = expressing disrespect or criticism

2 meanings, 2 uses

1 use

Exasperates, makes mad her sister

exasperates = greatly annoys

34 uses

[Exeunt Lear and Kent.]

exeunt = stage direction:  characters exit from stage

1 use

—Filial ingratitude!†

filial = relating to the relationship of children to their parents

1 use

Come, sir, I would you would make use of that good wisdom, Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away These dispositions, that of late transform you From what you rightly are.†

fraught = full of negative things

1 use

heretics burn'd

heretics = people with opinions or actions most people consider immoral

1 use

the impetuous blasts

impetuous = rapid, forceful, and/or violent

1 use

Importune him once more to go, my lord;

importune = urge

1 use

Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool,
But other of your insolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be-endured riots.

insolent = rude

(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as:  "It's not just your fool here who can say whatever he wants, but your whole obnoxious entourage keeps whining and arguing, bursting out in intolerably vicious riots.")

1 use

and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury, in contempt of man

penury = a state of extreme poverty or destitution

(editor's note:  No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as:  "I've decided to disguise myself as the lowliest and rattiest beggar that mankind has ever seen.")

1 use

That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head
So old and white as this!

pernicious = harm-spreading

1 use

peruse this letter

peruse = examine or consider with attention and in detail

1 use

— Behold yond simpering dame, Whose face between her forks presages snow; That minces virtue, and does shake the head To hear of pleasure's name;— The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes to't With a more riotous appetite.†

presages = serve as a sign of something about to happen — typically something bad

2 uses

Sir, I had thought, by making this well known unto you, To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, By what yourself too late have spoke and done, That you protect this course, and put it on By your allowance; which if you should, the fault Would not scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, Might in their working do you that offence Which else were shame, that then necessity Will call discreet proceeding.†

redresses = fix a problem; or make amends for a wrong

5 uses

You beastly knave, know you no reverence?

reverence = respect

1 use

I call you servile ministers

servile = submissive