...sc. VII, 1, 158-164) And Lear, crying out against old age and disloyal children: You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both, If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it...

...warm. But for true need — You heavens, give me patience — patience I need! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much 270 To bear...

...what thou gorgeous wear'st, Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it...

...realize more fully when both Regan and Goneril join to strip him of his retainers: You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. (2.4.272-73) If Lear in his natural body is "a poor old man," at the same time he remains the king,...

...warm. But, for true need — You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it...

...inside. It is the debilitating selfpity of Shakespeare's King Lear, as he cries, "You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both ... A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man . . . unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor,...

...But, for true need - 270 You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need. You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much 275 To bear...

...thee warm. But for true need You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need: You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts 268 Against their father, fool me not so much To bear...

...Thunder.) LEAR Heav'ns drop your Patience down; You see me here, ye Gods, a poor old Man As full of Griefs as Age, wretched in both I'll bear no more: no, you unnatural Haggs, 1 will have such Revenges on you both, That all the world shall - I will do such things What...

...awaiting him, as he comments on the state of the "basest beggars" (2.2.453), pitying himself for being "a poor old man, / As full of grief as age, wretched in both" (2.2.461-62). A moment later Lear's social death is complete, as he departs "in high rage" (2.2.485)...