King Lear-Act 1 Scene 1

Quotes

Edmund’s birth

though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for

Lear abdicating the throne

it is our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age, conferring them to younger strengths, while we unburthened crawl toward death.

Love test

Which of you shall we say doth love us most?

Goneril love test

I love you more than words can wield the matter.

Regan love test

I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short

Lear declaration to Cordelia

Nothing will come of nothing: speak again

Cordelia love test answer

I cannot heave my heart into my mouth.

Cordelia questions her sisters love

Why have my sisters husbands, if they say they love you all?

Lear banishes Cordelia quote

And as a stranger to my heart and me hold thee, from this, forever.

Lear’s anger turns to kent

Come not between the dragon and his wrath

Lear’s announcement of what he will retain after abdication

Only we still retain the name, and all the additions to a King

Kent anger towards Lear

be Kent unmannerly when Lear is mad

Kent wishes to stay as Lear’s servant

Let me still remain the true blank of thine eye

Lear wishes Cordelia was never born

Better thou hadst not been born

King of Frances announcement for Cordelia

She is herself worthy

Lear disowns Cordelia

Therefore be gone without our grace, our love, our benison!

Cordelia calls out her sisters quote

I know you what you are and like a sister am most loath to call your faults as they are named

Regan’s explains how Lear has always been a bit crazy

It is the infirmity of his age: yet he hath but ever slenderly known himself

goneril announces they need to act quickly

we must do something, and in the heat