電子課文 Unit 2 Using Language -- King Lear Part 3

Unit 2 King LearUsing LanguageRead Part 3 of King Lear with a partner and together make notes about the main events in this part of the play.KING LEARPart 3NARRATOR: As soon as Goneril has got all she can from her father, she begins treating him disrespectfully. When Lear wants to speak to her, Goneril tells her servant, Oswald, to say she is sick. She encourages her staff to be disrespectful towards Lear and begins complaining about the hundred soldiers Lear has brought with him. However, King Lear soon has a friend by his side. The Duke of Kent, who Lear ordered to leave Britain, cannot abandon his king. He therefore comes to Lear disguised as a servant called Caius and asks for a job. (Enter Lear, several of Lears soldiers and Kent disguised as a servant.)LEAR: OK, Caius, Ill give you a trial. And if you prove to be good at your job, Ill keep you on as my servant. (Oswald enters.) Hey, you there. Wheres my daughter? (Oswald ignores the king and hurries out of the room.) Hey. Whats going on? Call him back. Is he deaf? (A soldier rushes out after Oswald.) Its as though the whole world has gone to sleep. (Soldier reenters.) Wheres that servant? Why didnt he come back when I called?SOLDIER: Sir, he answered me very rudely and said he would not come back.LEAR: I dont believe it!SOLDIER: Sir, I am sorry, to tell you this, but it seems to me that you are not being treated with the respect due to a king. Everyone here, including your daughter, is behaving very coldly towards you.LEAR: Mmm. I suspected the same, but I kept telling myself it was my imagination. Please tell my daughter I wish to speak with her. (Soldier bows and leaves. Oswald enters.) Ah, come here my man and answer me. Who am I?OSWALD: My ladys father.LEAR: Your ladys father? Is that all I am to you, you dog, you slave! (Lear raises his arm as though to strike Oswald.)OSWALD: Ill not be hit, my Lord.KENT: (Kent kicks Oswalds feet out from under him.) And you wont be laid flat on your back either, I suppose. Now get up and get out of here. (Oswald leaves.)LEAR: My thanks, Caius. I can see you will be a most valuable servant. (Enter Goneril.) Whats up, daughter? You always seem to be frowning lately.GONERIL: Is it any wonder that I frown when your soldiers are continually drinking and fighting? I thought when I told you about their behaviour you would make them behave, but now I hear you have insulted Oswald. I do believe you are encouraging your soldiers in their bad behaviour.LEAR: Is this my daughter scolding me?GONERIL: I have had enough of your soldiers. They are expensive to keep and you dontneed them. Besides, their drunken behaviour and bad manners are disgusting. You will send half of them away. And unless you want me to get rid of the rest of them too, I suggest you teach them how to behave properly. LEAR: Thats a lie. My soldiers are good men who know how to behave properly. I wont stay here to be insulted. I still have one more daughter. Shell scratch out your eyes when she hears how youve treated me. Men! Get my horses ready and collect my baggage. Ill leave immediately. I wont stay where Im not welcome. (Lear and companions leave.)NARRATOR: Lear sends Kent o