King Lear key moments and Quotes

Key moment: Lear divides his kingdom between his daughters(Love Test)

He divides his kingdom between his daughters Goneril, reagan and Cordilia. But it is already predestined that Cordelia will get the bigger part of the kingdom due to her being the favourite child.

Quote: “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?”-Lear

Lear is asking for flattery rather than true love

Key moment: Lear realises he was wrong

After being betrayed by Goneril and Reagan his descent into madness begins and he also loses power.

Unfortunately in the end he learns who truly loves him but is too late.

“I did her wrong”-Lear

Key moment: Gloucesters Blinding

Gloucester is brutally blinded by Reagan and Cornwall for helping Lear. Gloucester unfortunately only sees the truth once he is blind.

Quote: “I stumbled when I saw”- Gloucester

This metephorical quote means when he had vision he was still blind to the truth but once he himself became blind the truth was unveiled to him which is Ironic in a way.

Key moments: Cordelias death and Lears grief

When tragedy hits it's peak as Lears favourite daughter Cordelia dies and his heart is crushed.

Quote: “howl, howl, howl”-King Lear

Onomatopoeia- as the “howl” makes him sound like he has resorted to a primal animal state of suffering.

Gloucester actually dies from grief once poor tom(Edgar) reveals that it was him all along.