Ms Cotter's Class

King Lear General Quotes 

Cordelia: Nothing.
Lear: Nothing can come of nothing, speak again. 

Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
(King Lear to daughters)

Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty
According to my bond; no more nor less.
(Cordelia to King Lear)

Let it be so. Thy truth then be thy dower.

(King Lear to Cordelia)

by the sacred radiance of the sun…
Here I disclaim all my paternal care.

(King Lear to Cordelia)

And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least,
Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound
Reverb no hollowness.
(Kent to King Lear)

‘Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever but
slenderly known himself.

(Regan to Goneril)

The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash.

(Goneril to Regan)

(All preceding quotes from Act 1, Scene 1)

Why bastard? wherefore base?
…
Edmund the base
Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper.
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!

(Edmund, Act 1 Scene 2)

Put on what weary negligence you please
(Goneril to Oswald, Act 1 Scene 3)

How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is 
To have a thankless child! 
(Lear, Act 1 Scene 4)

Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. 
(Fool, Act 1 Scene 5)

To wilful men the injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors.
(Regan to Cornwall, Act 2 Scene 4)

You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!
(King Lear to Regan and Goneril, Act 2 Scene 4)

Blow winds and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow, 
You cataracts and hurricanoes. 
(Lear, Act 3 Scene 2)

I am a man 
More sinned against than sinning.
(Lear, Act 3 Scene 2)

Here I stand, your slave –
A poor, infirm, weak and despised old man.
(King Lear to Fool, Act 3 Scene 2)

That which my father loses: no less than all;
the younger rises when the old doth fall.
(Edmund, Act 3 Scene 3)

As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods: 
They kill us for their sport. 
(Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 1)

So distribution should undo excess, 
And each man have enough.
(Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 1)

They told me I was everything: ’tis a lie, I am no ague-proof.
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)

Get thee glass eyes, 
And like a scurvy politician seem 
To see the things thou dost not. 
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)

When we are born, we cry that we are come 
To this great stage of fools. 
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)

A man may see how this world goes
With no eyes
(Lear to Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 6)

Through tattered clothes, great vices do appear.
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all.
(King Lear to Edgar and Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 6)

I fear I am not in my perfect mind

(Lear to Cordelia, Act 4 Scene 7)

Pray you now, forget and forgive.
I am old and foolish.
(King Lear to Cordelia, Act 4 Scene 7)

Which of them shall I take?
Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed.
If both remain alive.
(Edmund, Act 5 Scene 1)

Men must endure 
Their going hence, even as their coming hither. 
(Edgar, Act 5 Scene 2)

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
(Edgar to Edmund, Act 5 Scene 3)

When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down 
And ask of thee forgiveness. 
(Lear, Act 5 Scene 3)

The wheel is come full circle. I am here.
(Edmund to Edgar, Act 5 Scene 3)

Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, 
And thou no breath at all? 
(Lear, Act 5 Scene 3)

We that are young 
Shall never see so much, nor live so long. 
(Edgar, Act 5 Scene 3)

Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
(Edgar to Kent, Act 5 Scene 3)