King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 6/02/03 Act III Scene I Page 3

King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 1 Act III scene i Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 2 Script and Comments Part II

Act III, Scene i Act III plunges us into the world below the stage of the World Trade Center debris. The Video Screen shows looped images from ground level of smoke clouds rolling towards the audience. The theatre is engulfed in a strong haze. Kent and the Gentleman enter from opposite parts of the theatre, frantically trying to escape the falling debris. The sounds of sections of various buildings collapsing permeates the scene and punctuates various lines. Kent spies someone (the Gentleman), but in this chaos fears that it might be the enemy (a terrorist?). He gets close enough to the man to recognize him.

Storm 1 The Vast Nothing returns, and now engulfs the audience. The low creaks and groans of twisted steel shift and settle as an eerie haze permeates the air. The entire storm scene takes place in the rubble of the fallen towers. Kent and the Gentleman discover each other in this dangerous world.

Lights rise on scene. The storm sequences are characterized by saturated side light and textured light which accents to facades and debris. Follow spots are colored pale green to heighten the surreal nature of Lear’s battle with madness. Thick haze and fog define the various beams of light, simulating ash and smoke from the fallen towers.

Storm still. Enter KENT and a GENTLEMAN, meeting

KENT 1Who's there [what's here], besides foul weather?

GENTLEMAN 2One minded like the weather, most unquietly.

Research: World Trade Center Debris King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 3 Act III scene i Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 4 Script and Comments

KENT 3I know you. Where's the king?

GENTLEMAN 4Contending with the fretful elements: 5Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, 6Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, 7That things might change or cease; [tears his white hair, 8Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, 9Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; 10Strives in his little world of man to outscorn 11The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. 12This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, 13The lion and the belly-pinched wolf 14Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, 15And bids what will take all.]

KENT But who is with him?

GENTLEMAN 16None but the fool; who labours to out-jest 17His heart-struck injuries. Research: World Trade Center Debris KENT When Kent confirms the man’s identity, he drops his Sir, I do know you; “slave” accent. 18And dare, upon the warrant of my note [art], 19Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, 20Although as yet the face of it is cover'd 21With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; 22Who have--as who have not, that their great stars 23Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, 24Which are to France the spies and speculations 25Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, 26Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, 27Or the hard rein which both of them have borne 28Against the old kind king; or something deeper, 29Whereof perchance these are but furnishings; 30[But, true it is, from France there comes a power 31Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, 32Wise in our negligence, have secret feet 33In some of our best ports, and are at point King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 5 Act III scene i Page 3 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 6 Script and Comments 34To show their open banner. Now to you: 35If on my credit you dare build so far 36To make your speed to Dover, you shall find 37Some that will thank you, making just report 38Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow 39The king hath cause to plain. 40I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; 41And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer 42This office to you.]

GENTLEMAN 43I will talk further with you.

KENT No, do not. 44For confirmation that I am much more 45Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take 46What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,-- Kent opens the purse, and shows the Gentleman the ring 47As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; 48And she will tell you who your fellow is Something collapses; Kent and the Gentleman duck and 49That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! cover. 50I will go seek the king.

Collapse 1 A large piece of the rubble crashes nearby and Kent curses, "Fie on this storm." GENTLEMAN 51Give me your hand: have you no more to say?

KENT 52Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; 53That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain 54That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him Kent goes off to hunt for Lear, just in time to avoid a 55Holla the other. piece of crashing debris

Collapse 2 The piercing sound of metal collapsing near the stage.

King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 7 Act III scene ii Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 8 Script and Comments Act III, Scene ii Lear Rages Against the Storm

Lear enters from underneath the audience, and climbs up the platforms that lead up to the stage. He stops at the first level down from the main platform, and rises on it to address the storm. Enter KING LEAR and FOOL

Strong sidelight from right in a deep blue colors the set and casts long shadows over the stage. Lights with break-up patterns speckle that stage with color and shadow. Pale green followspot comes up on Lear

Storm 2 The Vast Nothing become much more violent. Faint voices from America's past cry out through the din, faintly heard radio transmission echoing the voices of great American leaders-- historically powerful speeches or quotes made by powerful people. The sound bytes may include Kennedy's "ask not" speech, Dr. King's "I Had a Dream" speech, Nixon's resignation speech, Neil Armstrong's "1st step" quote, Bono's Elevation Tour speech, any of George W Bush's recent speeches, etc. These sound bytes will be heard faintly and combined with radio transmission sounds, in and out, as if the audience were hearing broadcasted transmissions traveling through air or from space that have somehow KING LEAR become audible due to the energy of the storm. The base 56Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! color of the sound will be the intense rumbles of the processed passenger jets. The combined jet rumbles 57You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout 58Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! Research: Lear Rages Against the Storm with military machinery underscores the frequent sounds of collapsing rubble, placed to punctuate specific 59You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, lines. The feel like God trying to get Lear's attention , 60Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, though Lear doesn’t seem to notice or react. The storm 61Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, also include hints of materialism and greed for power, 62Strike [smite] flat the thick rotundity o' the world, carried on the wind (Vast Nothing) This cue will be most intense during Lear's speech and will continue 63Crack nature's moulds, all germains spill at once, throughout the rest of the scene. 64That make ingrateful man! King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 9 Act III scene ii Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 10 Script and Comments

Research: Lear Rages Against the Storm King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 11 Act III scene ii Page 3 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 12 Script and Comments

FOOL Collapse 3 65O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house is better than Another giant crash as the front part of the stage breaks 66this rain-water out o' door. Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' off revealing a television that has apparently fallen from 67blessing: here's a night pities neither wise men nor fools. the sky. KING LEAR A part of the state (i.e., the stage) collapses revealing a 68Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! video monitor that lies in the rubble near Lear. The Fool 69Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: appears on the monitor. 70I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; 71I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, 72You owe me no subscription: [why] then let fall 73Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave, 74A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man: 75But yet I call you servile ministers, 76That have with two pernicious daughters join'd 77Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head 78So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul!

FOOL 79He that has a house to put's head in has a good head-piece. 80 The cod-piece that will house 81 Before the head has any, 82 The head and he shall louse; 83 So beggars marry many. 84 The man that makes his toe 85 What he his heart should make, 86 Shall of a corn cry woe 87 And turn his sleep to wake.

Photographed Model: Lear Rages Against the Storm King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 13 Act III scene ii Page 4 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 14 Script and Comments 88For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a glass.

Preliminary Sketches: Lear Rages Against the Storm; the Fool Appears

Something collapses to punctuate “nothing.” Lear spits KING LEAR out the line as a bitter recollection of Cordelia’s nothing. 89No, I will be the pattern of all patience; The gods immediately answer in the sounds of the 90I will say nothing. collapsing building, and the power of this perhaps cause Lear to instinctively cringe.

Collapse 4 Another loud crash punctuates his petulance and the word "nothing." sinned against than sinning. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 15 Act III scene ii Page 5 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 16 Script and Comments Enter KENT Kent Tries to Lead Lear to Shelter 91KENT Kent enters on the heels of the collapse, identifies Lear, Who's there? and must fight two emotions in the next scene, great joy and relief to have found Lear safely, and tremendous 92FOOL fear driven by the buildings that continue to collapse around him. 93Marry, here's grace and a cod-piece; that's a wise 94man and a fool.

KENT 95Alas, sir, are [sit] you here? things that love night 96Love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies 97Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, 98And make them keep their caves: since I was man, 99Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, 100Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never 101Remember to have heard: man's nature cannot carry 102The affliction nor the fear [force].

KING LEAR Let the great gods, Storm 4 103That keep this dreadful pudder [pother] o'er our heads, The agitated storm of crashes and military might comes 104Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, to a mini-climax as Lear calls out for justice from the 105That hast within thee undivulged crimes, Gods. The sounds of American leaders, fallen from 106Unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; grace, now permeate the airwaves. 107Thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue 108That art incestuous: caitiff, to pieces shake, 109That under covert and convenient seeming 110Hast practiced on man's life: close pent-up guilts, 111Rive your concealing continents [concealed centers], and cry 112These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man 113More sinn'd against than sinning.

KENT Alack, bare-headed! 114Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; 115Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest: 116Repose you there; while I to this hard house-- 117More harder than the stones whereof 'tis raised; 118Which even but now, demanding after you [me], 119Denied me to come in--return, and force 120Their scanted courtesy. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 17 Act III scene ii Page 6 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 18 Script and Comments

KING LEAR My wits begin to turn. 121Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? 122I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow? 123The art of our necessities is strange, 124That can make vile things precious. Come, your hovel. 125Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart 126That's sorry [that sorrows] yet for thee. Storm 5 As if in response to Lear's sudden melancholy, the Vast FOOL Nothing becomes quite calm; the Fool sings quietly 127 He that has and a little tiny wit-- about the rain that "raineth everyday." 128 With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,-- 129 Must make content with his fortunes fit, 130 Though [For] the rain, it raineth every day.

KING LEAR 131True, [my good] boy. Come, bring us to this hovel.

Lear and Kent exit under the audience. Exit KING LEAR and KENT

[FOOL Merlin’s Prophecy 132This is a brave night to cool a courtesan. The Vast Nothing fades away leaving an eerie. 133I'll speak a prophecy ere I go: 134 When priests are more in word than matter; The video screens replace the live camera feed of the 135 When brewers mar their malt with water fool to headlines, advertisements and other media events 136 When nobles are their tailors' tutors; that illustrate the Fool’s prophecy. The recent pedophile 137 No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; scandal in the Catholic Church, the many scandals of the Jim Baker type that have plagued our other 138 When every case in law is right; repositories of ethics and morality, the OJ Simpson trial, 139 No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; even a can of light beer, etc.; there are many events that 140 When slanders do not live in tongues; can illuminate the subtle implications and meaning of 141 Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; this prophecy. 142 When usurers tell their gold i' the field; 143 And bawds and whores do churches build; Images of the collapsed towers in the evening of 9/11 144 Then shall the realm of Albion replace the other images. 145 Come to great confusion:

Afghan Bomb 2 146 Then comes the time, who lives to see't, A distant bomb punctuates the Fool's ominous 147 That going shall be used with feet. conclusion. 148This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his time.] Exit The video screen goes to black

Research: Merlin’s Prophecy King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 19 Act III scene iii Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 20 Script and Comments Act III, Scene iii Gloucester Confides in Edmund

Gloucester and Edmund are discovered up in the facades; the staging echoes that of the opening scene (I- Enter GLOUCESTER and EDMUND i) between Gloucester and Kent. . The Fool dissolves away to close-up images of Gloucester and Edmund; these images spread to every video monitor in the theatre.

Lighting for this scene mirrors many of those in GLOUCESTER Part 1, with the conversations in the arches up right. 149Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural Bodies are still seen in silhouette but the whole setting 150dealing. When I desire their leave that I might pity him, retains the saturated and textured feeling of the storm. 151they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me, 152on pain of perpetual [their] displeasure, neither to speak of him, 153entreat for him, nor any way sustain him. Shadows 4 The Shadows Theme returns, and we discover EDMUND Gloucester and Edmund whispering in the arches. Their 154Most savage and unnatural! whispering is amplified and engulfs the audience--we quite clearly hear Gloucester admit that he has been helping the former King, contrary to Cornwall's orders. GLOUCESTER conversation. The video monitors immediately shut off. 155Go to; say you nothing. There's a division between 156the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have received a 157letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be spoken; I have locked 158the letter in my closet: these injuries the king now bears will 159be revenged home; there's part of a power already footed [landed]: we 160must incline to the king. I will look [seek] him, and privily relieve 161him: go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity 162be not of him perceived: if he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to 163bed. If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king my 164old master must be relieved. There is [some] strange thing toward, Edmund; 165pray you, be careful.

Preliminary Sketches: Gloucester Confides in Edmund Gloucester and Edmund are discovered up in the facades; the staging echoes that of the opening scene (I- King Lear at Ground Zero i) between GloucesterRevised and Kent. 7/21/18 The scene is possibly 21 Act III scene iii Page 2 Production Research and Sketches broadcastStage over Directions, the video Lightingscreens. and Sound Cues 22 Script and Comments EDMUND Gloucester exits through the upstage arches. Edmund 166This courtesy forbid thee shall the duke pulls a tape out of a hidden video camera, and puts it in 167Instantly know; and of that letter too: his pocket. When he does, the image goes blank on the TV monitor. 168This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me 169That which my father loses, no less than all: Something collapses; Edmund does not respond, but 170The younger rises when the old doth fall.* clearly Kent enters in the next scene motivated by this. Exit Collapse 5 Edmund goes off to find Cornwall just as a sharp piece of steel creeks and then cracks, and falls.

Preliminary Sketches: Edmund Conceals a Hidden Camera King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 23 Act III scene iv Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 24 Script and Comments Act III, Scene iv Lear Meets Edgar and Sees a Vision of His True Subjects

Lear and Kent enter from under the audience to a place just outside of the blown out diner.

We return to the world of Lear’s madness and the storm. The sidelight has grown more intense and the Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and FOOL light with breakup patterns swirls as the storm builds. KENT 171Here is the place, my lord; good my lord, enter: Vast Nothing 7 172The tyranny of the open night's too rough Back in the debris below, the Vast Nothing returns as 173For nature to endure. Storm still. Kent leads Lear to the opening of a blown out diner.

Collapse 6 A threatening crash of debris echoes throughout the site KING LEAR as Kent proclaims "The tyranny of the open night's too Let me alone. rough for nature to endure." Kent ducks, but Lear seems oblivious to the thunderous crashes around him. KENT 174Good my lord, enter here. KING LEAR Wilt break my heart?

KENT 175I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.

KING LEAR 176Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious [tempestuous] storm 177Invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee; 178But where the greater malady is fix'd, 179The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'ldst shun a bear; 180But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, 181Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the mind's free, 182The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind 183Doth from my senses take all feeling else 184Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! 185Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand 186For lifting food to't? But I will punish home [sure]: 187No, I will weep no more. In such a night as this 188To shut me out! Pour on; I will endure. Research: The Entrance to the Diner King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 25 Act III scene iv Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 26 Script and Comments 189In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril! 190Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave [you] all,-- 191O, that way madness lies; let me shun that; 192No more of that. Collapse 7 A large heap of twisted steel crashes as Lear again threatens to revenge his enemies, but stops short realizing, "that way madness lies." KENT Kent frantically tries to persuade Lear to enter the Good my lord, enter here. blown-out diner. KING LEAR 193Prithee, go in thyself: seek thine own ease: Lear has discovered much in his wanderings Lear finally 194This tempest will not give me leave to ponder convinces Kent to go into the diner without him. Lear 195On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in. will remain outside to pray. He kneels for the first time 196In, boy; go first. You houseless poverty,-- Research: Lear Vows Revenge in the play, and prays. The 197Nay, get thee in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep.

Redemption 1` 198Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, Vast Nothing transforms into a new theme: it is the sound of Lear's Redemption. In a moment of true 199That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm [night], spiritual rebirth, Lear acknowledges his responsibility 200How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, for the "poor naked wretches;" realizing "I have ta'en 201Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you too little care of this!" Sounds of great American leaders 202From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en resonate through ambience. 203Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp; 204Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 205That thou mayst shake the superflux to them, 206And show the heavens more just. Collapse 8 A large piece of building breaks and crashes, sharply cutting off the ambient sounds.

Something collapses, which causes Edgar to scream. Enter FOOL From inside a pile of debris that sits just outside of the diner, we hear Edgar’s painful cry; an earlier collapse EDGAR has trapped him here. 207Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom! FOOL 208Come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit! Help me, help me!

Kent comes back out of the diner. He removes a few KENT pieces of the debris, to reveal Edgar, trapped; the Who’s there? tattered clothes he found in II-iii have now been ripped 209Give me thy hand. further to shreds, and these give him the appearance of 210FOOL being almost naked. Research: Lear Prays King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 27 Act III scene iv Page 3 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 28 Script and Comments 211A spirit, a spirit: he says his name's poor Tom. 212 213Enter Edgar [disguised as Poor Tom, a madman]

KENT 214What art thou that dost grumble there i' the straw? 215Come forth.

Research: Searching for Tom King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 29 Act III scene iv Page 4 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 30 Script and Comments EDGAR 216Away! the foul fiend follows me! 217Through the sharp hawthorn blows the [cold] wind. 218Hum! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.

KING LEAR 219Didst thou give all to thy two daughters? 220And art thou come to this?

EDGAR 221Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom the foul fiend 222hath led through fire and through flame, and through sword [ford] and 223whirlpool o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under 224his pillow, and halters in his pew; set ratsbane by his 225porridge; made him proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting 226-horse over four-inched bridges, to course his own shadow 227for a traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom's a-cold,--O, do de, do 228de, do de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and 229taking! 230Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend 231vexes: there could I have him now,--and there,--and there 232again, and there. Storm still. 233

KING LEAR 234[What,] have his daughters brought him to this pass? 235Couldst thou save nothing? Storm still.Wouldst [Didst] thou Afghan Bomb 3 give them all? A bomb slams into an Afghan cave in the distance on Lear’s “nothing?”

Lear does not notice the crash; Kent instinctively ducks back into the diner. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 31 Act III scene iv Page 5 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 32 Script and Comments

FOOL 236Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed.

KING LEAR 237Now, all the plagues that in the pendulous air 238Hang fated o'er men's faults, light [fall] on thy daughters! 239 240

KENT 241He hath no daughters, sir.

KING LEAR He turns rather viciously on Kent, and drives him back into the diner. Kent watches protectively from the 242Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature entrance. 243To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. 244Is it the fashion that discarded fathers 245Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? 246Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot 247Those pelican daughters.

EDGAR 248Pillicock sat on Pillicock Hill: 249Halloo, halloo, loo, loo!

FOOL 250This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen. 251 252

EDGAR 253Take heed o' the foul fiend: obey thy parents; keep thy 254words justice [justly]; swear not; commit not with man's sworn 255spouse; set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom's a-cold.

KING LEAR 256What hast thou been?

EDGAR 257A serving-man, proud in heart and mind; that curled my 258hair, wore gloves in my cap; served the lust of my mistress' 259heart, and did the act of darkness with her; swore as many King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 33 Act III scene iv Page 6 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 34 Script and Comments 260oaths as I spake words, and broke them in the sweet face of 261heaven: one that slept in the contriving of lust, and waked 262to do it: wine loved I deeply, dice dearly: and in woman out- 263paramoured the Turk: false of heart, light of ear, bloody of 264hand; hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in 265madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the 266rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman: keep thy 267foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from 268lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the haw- 269thorn blows the cold wind: Says suum, mun, ha, no, nonny. Dolphin 270my boy, my boy, sessa! let him trot by. Storm still. Preliminary Sketch: Lear Meets Tom O’ Bedlam and Sees a Vision of His True Subjects

KING LEAR 271[Why,] thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy un- 272covered body this extremity of the skies. Is man no more 273than this? Consider him well. Thou owest the worm no silk, 274the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. 275Ha! here's three on's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing it- Lear spots the American flag wrapped around Tom and 276self: unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, asks, "Is man no more than this? Lear tears off his own 277forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! come un- clothes, yelling "Off, off, you lendings!" 278button here.

Tearing off his clothes Collapse 9 279 A distant building collapses causing long, low crashing 280 rumbles. Lear and the storm have become one. 281

FOOL 282Prithee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a naughty night to 283swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lech- 284er's heart; a small spark, all the rest on's body cold. Look, 285here comes a walking fire.

Logo: Mad Lear King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 35 Act III scene iv Page 7 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 36 Script and Comments Enter GLOUCESTER, with a torch Gloucester Comes Searching for America

Gloucester has entered the stage from the platform above. He reaches the edge of the stage and shines a very powerful flashlight/searchlight over the edge, looking in the debris near the diner for Lear. EDGAR 286This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet: he begins at cur- 287few, and walks till the first cock; he gives the web and A large bright searchlight pierces the air from behind the façade. Gloucester carries a powerful 288the pin, squints [squemes] the eye, and makes the hare-lip; mildews searchlight and pans it over the stage through the haze. 289the white wheat, and hurts the poor creature of earth. 290 Swithold footed thrice the old [wold]; 291 He met the night-mare, and her nine-fold; Searchlight 1 292 Bid her alight, Preliminary Sketches: Gloucester Comes Searching for America Gloucester scans the debris as metallic screeches of saws and arc-welders fill the air. 293 And her troth plight, 294 And, aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!

KENT 295How fares your grace?

KING LEAR 296What's he?

KENT 297Who's there? What is't you seek?

Research: Gloucester Comes Searching for America

Gloucester calls over the edge to those below. GLOUCESTER 298What are you there? Your names?

EDGAR 299Poor Tom; that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the tad- 300pole, the wall-newt and the water; that in the fury of his King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 37 Act III scene iv Page 8 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 38 Script and Comments 301heart, when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for sallets; 302swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog; drinks the green 303mantle of the standing pool; who is whipped from tithing 304to tithing, and stock-punished, and imprisoned; who hath had 305three suits to his back, six shirts to his body, 306 Horse to ride, and weapon to wear— 307 But mice and rats, and such small deer, 308 Have been Tom's food for seven long year. 309Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin [Snulbug]; peace, thou fiend!

GLOUCESTER 310What, hath your grace no better company?

EDGAR 311The prince of darkness is a gentleman: Modo he's 312call'd, and Mahu.

GLOUCESTER 313Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, 314That it doth hate what gets it.

EDGAR Research: Gloucester Comes Searching for America 315Poor Tom's a-cold.

GLOUCESTER 316Go in with me: mMy duty cannot suffer 317To obey in all your daughters' hard commands: 318Though their injunction be to bar my doors, Collapse 10 Another distant building collapses and the low rumbles of the crashes roll through the site

Everyone ducks instinctively, except Lear, who asks Edgar stoically, "What is the cause of thunder?" The collapse further motivates Gloucester to get Lear to safety. 319And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, 320Yet have I ventured to come seek you out, 321And bring you where both fire and food is ready.

KING LEAR 322First let me talk with this philosopher. 323What is the cause of thunder? Preliminary Sketches: Gloucester Comes Searching for America King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 39 Act III scene iv Page 9 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 40 Script and Comments

KENT 324Good my lord, take his offer; go into the house.

KING LEAR 325I'll talk a word with this same [most] learned Theban. 326What is your study?

EDGAR 327How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin.

KING LEAR 328Let me ask you one word in private.

KENT 329Importune him once more to go, my lord; 330His wits begin to unsettle.

GLOUCESTER Canst thou blame him?

Storm Still

Preliminary Sketches: Gloucester Comes Searching for America 331His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent! 332He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! Gloucester grieves over the loss of his son, Edgar, and 333Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend, Edgar, emerges from his character, Tom o'Bedlam, long 334I am almost mad myself: I had a son, enough to suddenly realizes that his father was not the 335Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life, cause of his downfall. 336But lately, very late: I loved him, friend; 337No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee, Collapse 11 338The grief hath crazed my wits. Storm Still What a night's this! A piece of debris falls and crashes to the ground sending 339I do beseech your grace,-- an explosive sound across the rubble. KING LEAR O, cry your mercy, sir. Gloucester recoils instinctively, crying out: "what a 340Noble philosopher, your company. night's this." The collapses provoke Gloucester and Kent to redouble their efforts to coax Lear into the blown out diner. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 41 Act III scene iv Page 10 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 42 Script and Comments

Collapse 12 .Suddenly a huge nearby piece of rubble falls down with a deafening crash. EDGAR 341Tom's a-cold.

342In, fellow, there, into GLOUCESTER

Gloucester points with his flashlight 343Into the hovel: keep thee warm.

KING LEAR 344Come let's in all.

KENT This way, my lord.

KING LEAR With him; 345I will keep still with my philosopher.

KENT 346Good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow.

Preliminary Sketches: Gloucester Comes Searching for America GLOUCESTER 347Take him you on.

KENT Kent begins to forcibly push Lear into the blown-out 348Sirrah, come on; go along with us. diner. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 43 Act III scene iv Page 11 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 44 Script and Comments

349KING LEAR 350Come, good Athenian. 351 GLOUCESTER 352No words, no words: hush. Here is better than the open air; take it thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with what addition I can: I will not be long from you.

KENT All the power of his wits have given way to his impatience: the gods reward [deserve] your kindness!

Exit GLOUCESTER Gloucester exits above; Kent forces Lear into the blown out diner. Edgar speaks his lines in the momentary silence, Silence and this 12 provides time for Gloucester to exit, justThe missingVast Nothing Conrwall diminishes and Edmund as the entering.diner provides refuge from the destruction outside

EDGAR 353Child Rowland to the dark tower came [town come], 354His word was still,--Fie, foh, and fum, A quiet moment follows, and then Lear sneaks back out 355I smell the blood of a British man. of the diner to try to free the helpless Tom' Bedlam. He strains to lift the heavy beams out of the way. A moment later, an exasperated Kent emerges from the diner, and reluctantly helps Lear.

Freeing Tom Kent and Lear remove debris off of Tom and throw it out of the way causing loud crashes as the pieces of metal and rock fall to the ground. The sounds continue under the next scene, punctuating Edmund and Exeunt Cornwall’s lines.

Silence 12 The Vast Nothing diminishes as the diner provides Research: Child Rowland to therefuge Dark from Tower the Came destruction outside King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 45 Act III scene v Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 46 Script and Comments Act III, Scene v Edmund Snitches on Gloucester and Becomes Earl of Gloucester Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND

Cornwall and Edmund appear in the arches above, CORNWALL whispering their plotting while the crashes from Kent 356I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. and Lear's work below punctuate their scheming. EDMUND 357How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus Shadows 5 358gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of. The Shadows Theme returns to underscore Cornwall and Edmund’s plotting, Cornwall and Edmund’s whispering amplified seductively in the sound system. CORNWALL 359I now perceive, it was not altogether your brother's 360evil disposition made him seek his death; but a provoking 361merit, set a-work by a reprovable badness in himself.

EDMUND 362How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to be 363just! This is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an in- 364telligent party to the advantages of France: O heavens! that 365this treason were not, or not I the detector!

CORNWALL 366Go with me to the duchess.

EDMUND Preliminary Sketch: Cornwall and Edmund in the Shadows 367If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty 368business in hand.

CORNWALL 369True or false, it hath made thee earl of Gloucester. Seek 370out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our 371apprehension. I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love. Exi Cornwall exits and Edmund comes downstage and addresses the audience directly. He takes in Kent and Lear, also; Finally, he shrugs as they free Edgar, turns EDMUND and exits upstage. 372[Aside] If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff 373his suspicion more fully -- I will persevere in my course of loy- 374alty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood. Silence 10 Preliminary Sketch: Edmund Plots Against the King Cornwall departs, taking the sound with him CORNWALL 375I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 47 Act III scene v Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 48 Script and Comments 376dearer father in my love. Exit King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 49 Act III scene vi Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 50 Script and Comments Act III, scene vi Lear Tries Regan and Goneril in the Diner Enter GLOUCESTER, KING LEAR, KENT, FOOL, and EDGAR Lear and Kent help Tom into the Diner. 377 378GLOUCESTER 379Here is better than the open air; take it 380thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with what 381addition I can: I will not be long from you. 382 383KENT 384All the power of his wits have given way to his 385impatience: the gods reward [deserve] your kindness! 386 387 Exit GLOUCESTER

388 Madness 1 389 The Vast Nothing returns, softer now, having passed 390 through redemption and landing on guilt and regret; Lear descends into madness. 391 392 EDGAR Lighting in the diner will be from practical set- 393Frateretto calls me; and tells me Nero is an angler in the mounted sources. The television will provide some 394lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend. color in the scene. Diner exterior will still resemble the storm. FOOL 395Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentle- 396man or a yeoman? The Fool comes on a television set in the diner. Research: The Diner KING LEAR 397A king, a king!

FOOL 398No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; for he's 399a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him..

KING LEAR Rocket Launcher 400To have a thousand with red burning spits Lear anger at his daughters erupts again; he curses them 401Come hissing in upon 'em,-- violently: "To have a thousand with red burning spits come hissing in upon 'em." Rocket propelled grenade [EDGAR launchers fire off shots towards Afghanistan in the dim 402The foul fiend bites my back. recesses of Lear's mind. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 51 Act III scene vi Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 52 Script and Comments

FOOL 403He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's 404health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.

KING LEAR 405It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. 406[To Edgar]Come, sit thou here, most learned justice; 407[To Fool]Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she-foxes!

EDGAR 408Look, where he stands and glares! Wantest thou eyes at 409trial, madam? 410Come o'er the bourn, Bessy, to me--

FOOL 411 Her boat hath a leak, 412 And she must not speak 413 Why she dares not come over to thee.

EDGAR 414The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightin- 415gale. Hoppedance cries in Tom's belly for two white her- 416ring. Croak not, black angel; I have no food for thee.

KENT 417How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed: 418Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions?

KING LEAR Gavel 1 419I'll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence. Lear he insists on trying his daughters for their crimes in 420 a court of law, striking the table with a large imaginary [To Edgar] Thou robed man of justice, take thy place; gavel. It echoes and reverberates through imaginary 421[To Fool] And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, hallowed halls of justice. 422Bench by his side: you are o' the commission, 423Sit you too.

EDGAR 424Let us deal justly. 425 Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd? 426 Thy sheep be in the corn; 427 And for one blast of thy minikin mouth, 428 Thy sheep shall take no harm. 429 Purr! the cat is gray. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 53 Act III scene vi Page 3 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 54 Script and Comments

KING LEAR 430Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my oath before 431this honourable assembly, she kicked the poor king her father.

FOOL 432Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril?

KING LEAR 433She cannot deny it.

FOOL 434Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool.

KING LEAR 435And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim 436What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! 437Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! 438False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape?] Nightmarish Escape In his madness Lear hears the commotion of the escape. EDGAR 439Bless thy five wits!

KENT 440O pity! Sir, where is the patience now, 441That thou so oft have boasted to retain?

EDGAR 442[aside] My tears begin to take his part so much, 443They'll mar my counterfeiting. Dogs 1 Vicious dogs hold Lear at bay, threatening to attack. KING LEAR Tom chases the imaginary dogs away. 444The little dogs and all, Tray, Blanch, and 445Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me.

EDGAR 446Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt, you curs! 447 Be thy mouth or black or white, 448 Tooth that poisons if it bite; 449 Mastiff, grey-hound, mongrel grim, 450 Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, 451 Or bobtail tike or trundle-tail, 452 Tom will make them weep and wail: King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 55 Act III scene vi Page 4 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 56 Script and Comments 453 For, with throwing thus my head, 454 Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. 455Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes and 456fairs and market-towns. Poor Tom, thy horn is dry.

Metal Heart KING LEAR Lear orders the dissection of his daughter Regan to "see 457Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds about what breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in nature 458her heart. Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard that makes these hard hearts.?" The large metallic 459hearts [this hardness]? You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred; only machinery of capitalistic industry pound out the rhythm 460I do not like the fashion of your garments: you will of a heartbeat in answer…. 461say they are Persian attire: but let them be changed.

KENT 462Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.

KING LEAR 463Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: Silence 11 464so, so, so. We'll go to supper i' he morning. So, so, so. The pounding of the machines eventually gets to Lear; and he begs them to silence: "make no noise, make no FOOL noise. The machines obey, and withdraw softly. 465And I'll go to bed at noon.

Lear goes up to the television and turns it off.

TV Off Lear goes to the television set and turns it off with a click. At last he has found the power to silence his Fool.

Lear then lies down on the counter and finally goes to sleep. Gloucester re-enters from the arches, sneaking in a stretcher and some rope. During the following scene he passes the stretcher down to Kent, and then uses the rope to lower himself down to the diner. Edgar hides behind the diner counter at the first sign of Gloucester, leaving Gloucester and Kent to roll Lear onto the stretcher, and carry him out.

Searchlight 2 Metallic screeches of saws and arc-welders permeate the site as Gloucester returns King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 57 Act III scene vi Page 5 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 58 Script and Comments Re-enter GLOUCESTER Gloucester Rescues Lear GLOUCESTER Gloucester re-enters from the arches, sneaking in a 466Come hither, friend: where is the king my master? stretcher and some rope. During the following scene he passes the stretcher down to Kent, and then uses the KENT rope to lower himself down to the diner. Edgar hides behind the diner counter at the first sign of Gloucester, 467Here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone. leaving Gloucester and Kent to roll Lear onto the stretcher, and carry him out. GLOUCESTER 468Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms; 469I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him: 470There is a litter ready; lay him in 't, 471And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet 472Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master: 473If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, 474With thine, and all that offer to defend him, 475Stand in assured loss: take up, take up; Research: Gloucester’s Searchlight 476And follow me, that will to some provision 477Give thee quick conduct.

KENT [Oppressed nature sleeps: 478This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses, 479Which, if convenience will not allow, Preliminary Sketch: Gloucester Returns 480Stand in hard cure. Come, help to bear thy master; 481Thou must not stay behind.]

Silence 12 GLOUCESTER The Searchlight sounds fade out with Gloucester’s exit. Come, come, away.

Gloucester and Kent carry Lear out underneath the Exit all but EDGAR audience. Edgar emerges from his hiding place. [EDGAR 482When we our betters see bearing our woes, 483We scarcely think our miseries our foes. 484Who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind, 485Leaving free things and happy shows behind: 486But then the mind much sufferance doth o'er skip, 487When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship. 488How light and portable my pain seems now, 489When that which makes me bend makes the king bow: 490He childed as I father'd. Tom, away! 491Mark the high noises; and thyself bewray, Gloucester and Kent carry Lear out underneath the audience. Edgar emerges from his hiding place. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 59 Act III scene vi Page 6 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 60 Script and Comments 492When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, 493In thy just proof, repeals and reconciles thee. 494What will hap more to-night, safe 'scape the king! 495Lurk, lurk.] Exit Edgar exits under the audience. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 61 Act III scene vii Page 1 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 62 Script and Comments Act III, scene vii Cornwall and Regan Condemn Gloucester Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GONERIL, EDMUND, and Servants Cornwall, Regan, Goneril and Edmund enter through the US arches. CORNWALL 496Post speedily to my lord your husband; 497show Show him this letter: to my lord your husband. the army of France is landed. [To 498Servants] Seek out the traitor [villain] Gloucester.

[Exeunt some Servants]

REGAN 499Hang him instantly.

GONERIL 500Pluck out his eyes.

CORNWALL 501Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you 502our sister company: the revenges we are bound to take upon 503your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. Advise the 504duke, where you are going, to a most festinate preparation. We 505 Goneril and Edmund exit through the arches. are bound to the like. 506Our posts shall be swift and intelli- 507gent betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister: farewell, my lord of 508Gloucester. 509

Enter OSWALD

510How now! Where's the king?

OSWALD 511My lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence: 512Some five or six and thirty of his knights, 513Hot questrists after him, met him at gate; 514Who, with some other of the lords dependants, 515Are gone with him towards Dover; where they boast 516To have well-armed friends. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 63 Act III scene vii Page 2 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 64 Script and Comments

CORNWALL Get horses for Go attend your mistress.

[Exit Oswald.]

GONERIL 517Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.

CORNWALL 518Edmund, farewell.

Exit [GONERIL with EDMUND]

Go seek the traitor Gloucester, 519Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. 520Though well we may not pass upon his life 521Without the form of justice, yet our power 522Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men May blame, but not control. King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 65 Act III scene vii Page 3 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 66 Script and Comments Enter GLOUCESTER, [brought in by two or three] Servants. Cornwall and Regan Pluck Out Gloucester’s Eyes Who's there? the traitor?

REGAN 523Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.

CORNWALL Cornwall’s servants bind Gloucester’s servants to the 524Bind fast his corky arms. pole that holds the American flag. GLOUCESTER 525What mean your graces? Good my friends, 526consider 527You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends.

CORNWALL 528Bind him, I say. Tanks A convoy of military tanks rumble in the distance, [Servants bind him.] Research: Gloucester Bound to a Flag Pole approaching the site. REGAN Hard, hard. O filthy traitor!

GLOUCESTER 529Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none [I am true].

CORNWALL 530To this chair bind Bind him. Villain, thou shalt find--

[REGAN plucks GLOUCESTER’S BEARD.]

GLOUCESTER 531By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done 532To pluck me by the beard.

REGAN 533So white, and such a traitor!

GLOUCESTER Naughty lady, 534These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin, 535Will quicken, and accuse thee: I am your host: 536With robbers' hands my hospitable favours King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 67 Act III scene vii Page 4 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 68 Script and Comments 537You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?

CORNWALL 538Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

REGAN 539Be simple answered, for we know the truth.

CORNWALL 540And what confederacy have you with the traitors 541Late footed in the kingdom?

REGAN 542To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? 543Speak.

GLOUCESTER 544I have a letter guessingly set down, 545Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, 546And not from one opposed.

CORNWALL Cunning.

REGAN And false.

CORNWALL 547Where hast thou sent the king?

GLOUCESTER 548To Dover.

REGAN 549Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril--

CORNWALL 550Wherefore to Dover? Let him [first] answer that.

GLOUCESTER 551I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course.

REGAN King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 69 Act III scene vii Page 5 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 70 Script and Comments 552Wherefore to Dover, sir?

GLOUCESTER 553Because I would not see thy cruel nails 554Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister 555In his anointed flesh stick [rash] boarish fangs. 556The sea, with such a storm as his bare [lowed] head 557In hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up, 558And quench'd the stelled fires: 559Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain [rage]. 560If wolves had at thy gate howl'd [heard] that stern [dearne] time, 561Thou shouldst have said 'Good porter, turn the key.' 562All cruels else subscribed: but I shall see 563The winged vengeance overtake such children.

CORNWALL 564See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. Cornwall pushes Gloucester, and the flag pole to which 565Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. he is bound, to the ground, desecrating the American flag in the process. GLOUCESTER 566He that will think to live till he be old, 567Give me some help!

Cornwall breaks off the Eagle perched atop the flag Cornwall plucks out Gloucester's eye pole, and uses it to gouge out one of Gloucester’s eyes. O cruel! O you gods! REGAN Eagle 2 568One side will mock another; the other too. An eagle screeches powerfully and an F-16 Strike Eagle fighter jet screams across the sky. . CORNWALL 569If you see vengeance--

SERVANT Hold your hand, my lord: 570I have served you ever since I was a child; 571But better service have I never done you 572Than now to bid you hold.

REGAN How now, you dog!

SERVANT 573If you did wear a beard upon your chin, Preliminary Sketch: Cornwall and Regan Pluck Out Gloucester’s Eye King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 71 Act III scene vii Page 6 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 72 Script and Comments 574I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean?

CORNWALL 575My villain!

They draw and fight

SERVANT 576Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger.

REGAN 577Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus?

[She takes a sword, and runs at him behind and] kills him.

SERVANT 578O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left 579To see some mischief on him. O!

[Dies.] Preliminary Sketch: Cornwall and Regan Pluck Out Gloucester’s Eyes CORNWALL 580Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! 581Where is thy lustre now? Eagle 3 Cornwall tears out Gloucester's other eye and another [Tears out the other eye.] eagle screeches sharply as a fighter jet flies overhead. The jet fighter circles the site and eventually flies away into the distance as the servants lead Gloucester into the GLOUCESTER debris. 582All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund? 583Edmund, enkindle [unbridle] all the sparks of nature, 584To quit this horrid act.

REGAN Out, treacherous villain! 585Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he 586That made the overture of thy treasons to us, 587Who is too good to pity thee.

GLOUCESTER 588O my follies! then Edgar was abused. 589Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!

REGAN King Lear at Ground Zero Revised 7/21/18 73 Act III scene vii Page 7 Production Research and Sketches Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 74 Script and Comments 590Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell 591His way to Dover.

The Servant leads Gloucester to the downstage edge of Exit[a Servant] with GLOUCESTER the stage. Through the debris, and underneath the audience. How is't, my lord? how look you?

CORNWALL 592I have received a hurt: follow me, lady. 593Turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave 594Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace: 595Untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm.

Exit CORNWALL, led by REGAN

[SECOND SERVANT Preliminary Sketch: Gloucester Led Away They throw the slain servant over the edge of the stage, 596I'll never care what wickedness I do, and into the debris. 597If this man come to good.

THIRD SERVANT If she live long, 598And in the end meet the old course of death, 599Women will all turn monsters.

SECOND SERVANT 600Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam 601To lead him where he would: his roguish madness 602Allows itself to any thing.

THIRD SERVANT 603Go thou: I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs 604To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him!]

Storm 3 End As act III comes to a conclusion the storm dies away leaving the site in a state of eerie silence. Exit 75 Act III scene vii Page 8 Stage Directions, Lighting and Sound Cues 76 Script and Comments