The following is a passage from a speech by Gloucester in
Shakespeare’s “Richard III”
Could someone translate it into more understandable modern English,
please?
I would particularly like to know the meaning of  “charges” in the
first line.

“I’ll be at charges for a looking glass
And entertain a score or two of tailors,
To study fashions to adorn my body;
Since I am crept in favour with myself,
I will maintain it with some little cost.
But first I’ll turn yon fellow in his grave,
And then return lamenting to my love.
Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,
That I may see my shadow as I pass.”

Thank you.

Hello,

The phrase "be at charges" is a phrase used widely in old enlgish and
it's found numerous times in the bible as well. It means to "to bear
expense" or "spend something on them" So when King Richard delivers
this monologue at the end of Act I Scene 2, he's saying he'll buy a
magnifying glass, so that he can comb over his own appearance, and get
new clothes so he can look better. He's got a lady to impress now, and
he doesn't want to skimp on his personal appearance. Barron's
BookNotes for the end of this scene analyze this scene as:

"Spurred on by his success with Anne, and despite his physical
shortcomings, he has a seemingly newfound change in attitude. He will
adorn this character of his own creation with new clothes and will
attend to his outward appearance."

I gave a link to the analysis of this scene for you to better
understand how it fits into the whole of the play. Thank you for
letting me answer your question.


Search Strategy:

"+be +at charges" on google:
://www.google.com/search?q=%22%2Bbe+%2Bat+charges%22

king richard shakespeare notes on google:
://www.google.com/search?q=king+richard+shakespeare+note


Additional Links:

"be at charges definition":
http://www.ministryserver.com/ThePersuader/NOTES%20Acts%20Volumne%204%20Chapters%2024%20to%2028.htm

Bible notes for Acts 21:24 which define "be at charges":
http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/srn/view.cgi?book=ac&chapter=021

Barron's BookNotes for King Richard III (scroll down about a third of
the way):
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/kngrich3.asp


Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question, if you require
more information, please clarify the question, or if you find this
answer satisfactory, please feel free to rate it. Thank you!

skermit-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by skermit-ga on 26 Nov 2002 04:02 PST

Oops... looking glass refers to a mirror, I dunno what I was thinking
a couple hours ago. A fellow researcher was kind enough to point that
out.

skermit-ga