King Lear: No Fear Shakespeare Side-by-Side Plain English

by William Shakespeare

Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity, and property of blood,

A loud mouth often points to an empty heart,

Beautiful Cordelia, you’re all the richer now that you’re poor. You’re more valuable now that you’re rejected and more loved now that you’re hated.

often because of our own excesses—we put all the blame on the sun, the moon, and the stars, as if they forced us to be bad, or the heavens compelled us to be villainous or stupid.

LEAR Why didn’t the jerk come back

Oh, my heart, my heart is rising into my throat! Stay down, heart. FOOL

Poor homeless creatures suffering this storm, wherever you are, how will you survive a night like this with no roof over your heads, no fat on your sides to keep you warm, and only rags for clothes? When I was king I didn’t do enough to help you. Powerful men, take your medicine by learning about hardship. Go out and feel what the impoverished feel. Then you can give them your extra wealth and make the world more fair.

Cover up a crime with gold and the arm of justice can’t touch it. But dress the crime in rags and it’s caught easily.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.