AboutRandy Sus Expertise I`m a retired high school English teacher from central Wisconsin. I taught Shakespeare for years and am very familiar with his writing style, his themes, his sonnets, and most of his plays. I taught Julius Caesar, King Lear, Richard the Third, and A Midsummer Night`s Dream for years. I`ve memorized many of the lines from these plays and I know many sonnets by heart. I`d be glad to respond to questions regarding Shakespeare`s life, works, and times if anyone desired such information.
Experience I have a master's degree in education and I take most pride in having ENJOYED teaching for over 30 years. Not everyone can honestly say that.
I coached undefeated high school soccer teams for fun too. I like public relations work and have served on P.R. committees for most of my professional life. I continue to do so in retirement.
Question what does the concluding remark of Edgar to Glauster in act 5 scene 2 mean? (Men must endure / Their going hence, even as their coming heither,/ Ripeness is all)
Answer Hi, Sumit,
Thanks for calling upon "Allexperts" for an explanation of the lines from King Lear.
The remark is FANTASTIC and VERY TRUE!
We have NO choice regarding our birth. Only GOD (fate)(our mother) determines whether we are born alive or not----AND, unless we commit suicide, we have no choice regarding how and when we will die. Being born and dying are matters over which WE have no control.
"Ripeness" is all refers to TIMING. When it is our TIME, we'll be born and/or we'll die. Again, it is not for us to choose.
So, in the play, Edmund is the bastard son while Edgar is legitimate. Neither of the boys had any say in how this occurred--it is just a matter of fact.
Much in life is beyond our control, but too often we believe that there is NOTHING we can do to better ourselves--NOTHING is capable of being changed by our actions----and that is WRONG!
The lines have heavy meaning, and the play has much to say about living a "good" life.
I hope you enjoy, and LEARN from, your continued Shakespearean studies.
