King lear quote bank

“who yet is no dearer in my account.”

Gloucester’s casual dismissal of primogeniture exposes the instability of the social order.

“Nothing will come of nothing.”

Lear’s absolutist language reveals his transactional understanding of love. The repetition of “nothing” becomes a tragic motif, symbolising the void at the centre of Lear’s authority.

“See better, Lear.”

The imperative links physical sight to moral insight, a central motif of the play.

What does Kent say about Lear’s appeals to the gods (1.1)?

“Thou swear’st thy gods in vain.”

How does Lear cruelly describe Cordelia after disowning her (1.1)?

‘But now her price is fallen.”

Lear reduces Cordelia to a commodity, revealing his distorted values.

What does Edmund claim about his own legitimacy (1.2)?

“My shape as true as honest madam’s issue.”

The line foreshadows Edmund’s rebellion against the structures that marginalise him.

What does the Fool say about loyalty (1.4)?

“For taking one’s part that’s out of favour.”

The Fool defines true loyalty as standing by someone when it brings no advantage. Shakespeare uses the Fool to expose the moral bankruptcy of the court.

What does the Fool say about Lear’s titles (1.4)?

“All thy other titles thou hast given away.”

The Fool exposes Lear’s self‑inflicted loss of authority

What does Lear ask in confusion about his identity (1.4)?

“Who is it that can tell me who I am?”

This marks the beginning of his psychological collapse.

What does Lear say about thankless children (1.4)?

“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”

The animal imagery conveys Lear’s sense of betrayal as visceral and wounding.

What does the Fool say about age and wisdom (1.5)?

“Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.”

The Fool exposes the tragic irony of Lear’s immaturity.

What does Lear plead in fear of madness (1.5)?

“I would not be mad.”

Lear’s simple, desperate plea reveals his terror of losing control.

What does Regan say about punishing Kent (2.2)?

“Till night, my lord, and all the night too.”

Regan’s insistence on prolonged punishment reveals her cruelty

What does Kent say about fortune (2.2)?

“Fortune, good night… turn thy wheel.”

Kent invokes the medieval Wheel of Fortune, emphasising life’s instability.

What does Edgar say about the storm (2.3)?

“The winds and persecutions of the sky.”

Shakespeare blurs the boundary between natural and moral disorder. Edgar becomes a symbol of endurance.

What does Lear say about Regan’s love (2.4)?

“And thou art twice her love.”

Lear continues to quantify love

This reinforces the tragic cycle of misjudgement.

What does Regan ask about Lear’s need for followers (2.4)?

“What need one?”

What does Lear say about human need (2.4)?

“O, reason not the need!”

What does Lear claim about his own suffering (3.1)?

“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” Analysis: Lear casts himself as a victim, revealing his self‑pity and moral blindness.

What does Lear say about caring for others in Act 3 Scene 1?

“How dost my boy.”

Lear’s sudden tenderness marks a shift from self‑absorption to empathy, signalling the beginnings of moral awakening.