The King Is Dead, Long Live Who?
Act 1
Scene 2: Funeral for King Lear
ALBANY
We are not brother kings, lord Kent and it hardens the heart so much that
we could do nothing in our part.
KENT
Help me take up the shift. Regan, Goneral, Cordelia, Oswald, and Edmond are
in Charon's hands now. (1) Now we must place our lord king to rest.
[Sees Ailill]
Clear the way cur, or have you no respect for our morning.
ALBANY
Hold, brother Kent, do you not see who stands before thee? The Aran's Ailill, cursed to watch the geese Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn for these grandchildren transfixed by his own child. (2)
KENT
Stand aside gander. I am in no mood for a fight.
AILILL
Though Matholwch from the tyrant Marholch stole his axe and makes war to take the Liagh Fail for himself. (3, 4) He can do this for he sees that one here can sit there in that Siege. (5)
ALBANY
If only is a game for fools and you playing it well.
EDGAR
Fools may be, may be not. Ho! Ho! Lord Ailill of Aran speaks true, wee need a man worthy of the stone of destiny for if anyone false sits on it the ground will swallow him up. Though forbidden by Lir, I know of one that can, though our king forbade me to speak his name (6).
KENT
Vow safe Edgar, we will follow your lead to this man yet let us take this sea lord to his rest (6).
Extent. Kent, Albany, Edgar, and Ailill with King Lear's Corpse
Cliff notes for Act 1 Scene 2:
One:
Regan, Goneral, Cordelia, Oswald, and Edmond died in Shakespeare's "King Lear." Lear also died in the play itself; this is where the part continues after Lear's death.
Two:
According to Irish legend, Ailill's daughter, Aoife, laid a curse on her nieces and nephews - Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn - for being rejected by Lear or Bran as geese. Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn like- wise being children of Lear or Bran could succeed to the throne.
Three:
Matholwch, Irish tryant, son of Marholch. He will marry Bran's sister and be the instrumental cause of Bran's death.
Four:
Liagh Fail, the stone of destiny where kings are enthroned. This might also be the origin for the Sword in the Stone, the author is not certain on this.
Five:
Siege or throne, could be a reference to Siege Perilous at King Arthur's Round Table. If anyone false (or unworthy of the title) sat in the chair, the ground would swallow him up.
Six:
Lir, a God of the Sea, or King Lear.
Act 1
Scene 2: Funeral for King Lear
ALBANY
We are not brother kings, lord Kent and it hardens the heart so much that
we could do nothing in our part.
KENT
Help me take up the shift. Regan, Goneral, Cordelia, Oswald, and Edmond are
in Charon's hands now. (1) Now we must place our lord king to rest.
[Sees Ailill]
Clear the way cur, or have you no respect for our morning.
ALBANY
Hold, brother Kent, do you not see who stands before thee? The Aran's Ailill, cursed to watch the geese Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn for these grandchildren transfixed by his own child. (2)
KENT
Stand aside gander. I am in no mood for a fight.
AILILL
Though Matholwch from the tyrant Marholch stole his axe and makes war to take the Liagh Fail for himself. (3, 4) He can do this for he sees that one here can sit there in that Siege. (5)
ALBANY
If only is a game for fools and you playing it well.
EDGAR
Fools may be, may be not. Ho! Ho! Lord Ailill of Aran speaks true, wee need a man worthy of the stone of destiny for if anyone false sits on it the ground will swallow him up. Though forbidden by Lir, I know of one that can, though our king forbade me to speak his name (6).
KENT
Vow safe Edgar, we will follow your lead to this man yet let us take this sea lord to his rest (6).
Extent. Kent, Albany, Edgar, and Ailill with King Lear's Corpse
Cliff notes for Act 1 Scene 2:
One:
Regan, Goneral, Cordelia, Oswald, and Edmond died in Shakespeare's "King Lear." Lear also died in the play itself; this is where the part continues after Lear's death.
Two:
According to Irish legend, Ailill's daughter, Aoife, laid a curse on her nieces and nephews - Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn - for being rejected by Lear or Bran as geese. Fionnualla, Aedh, Fiachna, and Conn like- wise being children of Lear or Bran could succeed to the throne.
Three:
Matholwch, Irish tryant, son of Marholch. He will marry Bran's sister and be the instrumental cause of Bran's death.
Four:
Liagh Fail, the stone of destiny where kings are enthroned. This might also be the origin for the Sword in the Stone, the author is not certain on this.
Five:
Siege or throne, could be a reference to Siege Perilous at King Arthur's Round Table. If anyone false (or unworthy of the title) sat in the chair, the ground would swallow him up.
Six:
Lir, a God of the Sea, or King Lear.
