The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.0670  Monday, 11 April 2005

From:           Larry Weiss <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Sunday, 10 Apr 2005 17:04:48 -0400
Subject:        Possible King Lear Emendation

In KL, III.ii.91 (the "Merlin prophecy") the Fool includes in his
catalog of improbable things "When usurers tell their gold i' th' field".

This is annotated by Riverside as "count their money openly."  But I
wonder if a small emendation might make for an even more ironic and less
strained reading.  If "tell" is a misprint for "till," the image
suggests the (impossible) natural increase of gold, as opposed to
"unnatural" usury.  Cf, M/V.I.iii.95-96.

Has anyone suggested this possibility?

_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>

DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the
editor assumes no responsibility for them.

Subscribe to Our Feeds

Search

Make a Gift to SHAKSPER

Consider making a gift to support SHAKSPER.