Quotes (King Lear)

This section explains the key quotes in the play King Lear by William Shakespeare. These quotes illustrate the key themes of King Lear: power, family loyalty, justice, madness, and human suffering. Each quote deepens our understanding of the characters' motivations, the consequences of their actions, and Shakespeare's overarching messages about the fragility of life and the complex dynamics of power and authority.

"Which of you shall we say doth love us most?" Act 1, Scene 1 – Lear

Lear's demand for his daughters to publicly declare their love sets the stage for the tragedy. This quote reveals Lear’s vanity and need for flattery, leading to his flawed decision-making in dividing his kingdom. It demonstrates his blindness to genuine love and loyalty.

"Nothing will come of nothing." Act 1, Scene 1 – Lear

Lear says this to Cordelia when she refuses to flatter him. The phrase underscores one of the play’s key themes: the value of truth versus deception. Cordelia’s refusal to exaggerate her love results in her disinheritance, leading to tragic consequences.

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" Act 1, Scene 4 – Lear

Lear laments the ingratitude of Goneril after she begins to mistreat him. This quote illustrates his growing realisation of the consequences of his actions, as he experiences betrayal by the daughters he favoured.

"I am a man more sinned against than sinning." Act 3, Scene 2 – Lear

Lear, in the midst of the storm, begins to reflect on his suffering. He believes he has been wronged more than he has wronged others, though the audience may see this as Lear’s inability to fully grasp his own faults and responsibility.

"Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow!" Act 3, Scene 2 – Lear

This quote comes during Lear’s famous speech in the storm. It symbolises his inner turmoil and growing madness. The storm represents both the chaos in the kingdom and Lear’s mental disintegration, as he struggles to maintain control.

"I will do such things—What they are yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth!" Act 2, Scene 4 – Lear

Lear’s anger and frustration build as he threatens his daughters, but his lack of control and diminishing power are clear. This quote highlights the tragic irony of Lear’s situation; he has lost the authority he once had.

"The wheel is come full circle; I am here." Act 5, Scene 3 – Edmund

Edmund acknowledges that the forces of fate and justice have caught up with him. The metaphor of the wheel suggests the cyclical nature of fortune and power in the play, as Edmund, who betrayed his family, now faces his downfall.

"The prince of darkness is a gentleman!" Act 3, Scene 4 – Edgar (as Poor Tom)

In his guise as Poor Tom, Edgar pretends to see devils and speaks of the “prince of darkness,” or the devil. This line reflects the play’s themes of appearance versus reality, and Edgar’s understanding of the evil lurking within society and the court.

"As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport." Act 4, Scene 1 – Gloucester

After being blinded, Gloucester reflects on the seeming randomness and cruelty of human suffering. This quote encapsulates one of the play’s bleakest themes: the indifference of the universe to human suffering and the fragility of human life.

"When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools." Act 4, Scene 6 – Lear

Lear, in his madness, expresses a deep cynicism about life. He views life as a tragic farce, where all humans are foolish actors on a stage. This metaphor links to the play’s recurring imagery of madness and the futility of human existence.

"The gods defend her!" Act 5, Scene 3 – Albany

Albany calls for divine protection for Cordelia, but ironically, the gods do not intervene to save her. This plea emphasises the play’s exploration of justice and divine will, often questioning whether there is any cosmic order or justice.

"Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise." Act 1, Scene 5 – The Fool

The Fool’s role is to offer truths under the guise of jest. Here, he points out Lear’s folly, suggesting that wisdom should come with age. Lear’s tragic flaw, his lack of insight and self-awareness, is starkly criticised.

"O, reason not the need!" Act 2, Scene 4 – Lear

Lear argues against Goneril and Regan’s reduction of his retinue, expressing that human life is more than just survival; dignity and status matter. This speech reveals Lear’s desperation to cling to some remnants of his former power.

"I am a very foolish fond old man." Act 4, Scene 7 – Lear

Lear’s admission of his frailty and foolishness marks a moment of humility and self-realisation. This line signals Lear’s growing awareness of his own faults, though it comes tragically late in the play.

"The younger rises when the old doth fall." Act 3, Scene 3 – Edmund

Edmund celebrates his rise to power and the fall of his father, Gloucester. This quote reflects the play’s theme of generational conflict, as the younger characters, often corrupt or misguided, overthrow the older generation.

"Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say." Act 5, Scene 3 – Edgar

Edgar delivers this line at the end of the play, after the tragic deaths of Lear and Cordelia. It reflects the moral of the story: honesty and authenticity are more valuable than flattery or deception. It is a critique of the false appearances that led to the tragedy.

"The weight of this sad time we must obey; Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say." Act 5, Scene 3 – Albany

Albany echoes Edgar’s call for truth and emotional honesty. This concluding line reinforces the play’s message that societal conventions and appearances often mask true feelings, and suggests the need for genuine expression in the face of tragedy.

"Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself." Act 1, Scene 1 – Regan

Regan’s assessment of Lear touches on one of the play’s central themes: self-knowledge. Lear’s lack of insight and awareness is established early on, and this blindness to his own nature and those around him leads to his downfall.

"Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing." Act 3, Scene 3 – Gloucester

Gloucester expresses his discomfort with the way Goneril and Regan are treating Lear. This line reflects the theme of natural order, suggesting that the behaviour of Lear’s daughters is contrary to the expected loyalty and respect due to a father and king.

"The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to plague us." Act 5, Scene 3 – Edgar

Edgar speaks to Edmund, explaining that the gods punish humans through their own misdeeds. This line encapsulates the idea of poetic justice—Edmund’s schemes have backfired, and he faces the consequences of his betrayal.