Evil and Corruption Quotes

Edmund’s great soliloquy illustrates his ruthless ambition and the ends justify the means

My “State stands on me to defend, not debate”

Edmund offers an unsettling insight to his Machiavellian mind as he tells his assassin that

“Men are as the time is” and adds “to be tender hearted does not become a sword”

Gloucester’s moral corruption is made clear through his treatment of his son’s when the play opens of him boasting of Edmund

“There was good sport at his making” and telling Kent that “the whoreson must be acknowledged”

Edmund is aware that his illegitimacy means he will suffer in

“the plague of custom”

After Lear’s interaction with Poor Tom, Lear observes

“I have taken too little care of this”

A crucial moment in Lear’s transformation from hubris to humility when he realises he has failed the people of Britain

“Take physic, pomp, expose thyself to feel what wretches feel”

Regan and Goneril display fierce brutalilty towards Gloucester

“Hang him instantly….pluck out his eyes”

Regan’s lack of compassion is equally depraved when she tells Gloucester

“Thou callst on him that hates him”

Edmund’s comtempt towards Edgar

“On whose foolish honestly my practices ride easy”