There's some ill planet reigns: I must be patient till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable

There's some ill planet reigns: I must be patient till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable

In the play "King Lear" by William Shakespeare, the character Edgar speaks these words in Act 4, Scene 1. Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, reflects on the chaotic and tumultuous events that have unfolded throughout the play. He acknowledges the presence of an "ill planet" that seems to be governing the actions and fates of the characters. Despite the hardships and suffering that he and others have endured, Edgar recognizes the need for patience and resilience in the face of adversity.

The phrase "I must be patient till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable" encapsulates the theme of fate and divine intervention that runs throughout Shakespeare's works. The idea that the heavens or celestial bodies have a direct influence on human affairs was a common belief in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare often used this concept to explore the idea of predestination and the role of fate in shaping the lives of his characters.