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King Lear
King Lear

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of King Lear is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for King Lear
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Cor.
Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.
Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.
Gods, Gods!
'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

King Lear

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of King Lear is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Cor.
Line 2
Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.
Line 3
Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.
Line 4
Gods, Gods!
/ɡɑːdz ɡɑːdz/
Line 5
'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Fairest adjective US /ˈferɪst/

superlative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading “Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.”

forsaken verb US /fɔːrˈseɪkən/

inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading “Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.”

Fortunes noun US /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading “Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.”

Gods noun US /ɡɑːdz/

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “Gods, Gods!”

kindle verb US /ˈkɪndəl/

catch fire

From this reading “'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.”

neglect verb US /nəˈɡlekt/

leave undone or leave out

From this reading “'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.”

seize verb US /siːz/

take hold of; grab

From this reading “Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.”

Tis noun US /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading “'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.”

All words in this reading · 54

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

Burgundie

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

castverbUS /kæst/

put or send forth

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

choise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

cold'st

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

Cor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cor.

Cordelia

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

despis'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

enflam'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

FairestadjectiveUS /ˈferɪst/

superlative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/

inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

FortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

Fra

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

GodsnounUS /ɡɑːdz/

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Gods, Gods!

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

kindleverbUS /ˈkɪndəl/

catch fire

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

lawfull

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

lou'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

loue

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

neglectverbUS /nəˈɡlekt/

leave undone or leave out

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

PeacenounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

poore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

respectnounUS /rɪˈspekt/

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

seizeverbUS /siːz/

take hold of; grab

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

TheepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

TisnounUS /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

vertues

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

vp

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

vpon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

what's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore, Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd, Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon, Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Peace be with Burgundie, Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue, I shall not be his wife Fra.

Chapter 2 of King Lear by William Shakespeare holds 188 sentences, grouped into 38 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of King Lear contain?

Chapter 2 holds 188 sentences of King Lear, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of King Lear by William Shakespeare exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 188 sentences, grouped into 38 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of King Lear?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading King Lear

Common questions about reading King Lear by William Shakespeare on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of King Lear?

Yes. All 1952 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1128 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of King Lear is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1128, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does King Lear take to read?

About 162 minutes of reading across 391 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read King Lear section by section

How to work through King Lear section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of King Lear to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in King Lear

Words and structures a reader meets early in King Lear, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Addition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Lear; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Notes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Lear; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Below
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Lear; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Think
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Lear; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.