King Lear : Quotations

Quotations

Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.” (Act 1, Scene 1)  

Exp: King Lear is the speaker here. He tells Cordelia she will get nothing if she does not express her love.  Lear believes words are more important than true feelings. This mistake leads to his downfall.

I am made of that self mettle as my sister/And prize me at her worth. (Act 1, Scene 1)  

Exp: Regan utters this. Through these words, she flatters Lear after Goneril does. Both daughters deceive  Lear.

Peace, Kent./Come not between the dragon and his wrath. (Act 1, Scene 1)  

Exp: By this quote, King Lear tells Kent not to stop him when he banishes Cordelia. Lear sees himself as powerful and angry, but he is actually making a big mistake.

Thou, Nature, art my goddess. (Act 1, Scene 2)  

Exp: Edmund speaks this line. He rejects society’s rules because he is a bastard.  He follows nature’s laws and plans to break social order to gain power

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

Exp: Lear says this after Goneril betrays him.  He feels deeply hurt by Goneril’s ingratitude and compares it to a snake’s bite.

That such a slave as this should wear a sword,/Who wears no honesty. (Act 2, Scene 2)  

Exp: Here,  Earl of Kent insults Oswald for his lack of honor. He is angry that someone as dishonest as Oswald carries a sword. It shows the disorder in the kingdom.

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow!  (Act 3, Scene 2)  

Exp: Through these words, King Lear shouts at the storm in his madness. His mind is as chaotic as the storm, showing how far he has fallen.

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

Exp: King Lear says this while out in the storm. He feels that others have hurt him more than he has hurt anyone. However,  he doesn’t see his own role in his suffering.

Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! (Act 3, Scene 7)  

Exp: Duke of Cornwall says this as he blinds Gloucester. He cruelly mocks Gloucester while blinding him. It shows his evil nature.

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

Exp: Earl of Gloucester speaks to the old man guiding him. He feels powerless, comparing people to flies killed for fun by the gods.

O Goneril,/You are not worth the dust which the rude wind/Blows in your face. (Act 4, Scene 2)  

Exp: By this quote, the Duke of Albany Albany criticizes Goneril for her cruel actions. He calls Goneril worthless and expresses his fear of her evil nature.

You do me wrong to take me out o’ th’ grave. (Act 4, Scene 7)  

Exp: Lear speaks to Cordelia when they reunite. He feels so guilty that he believes he deserves to be dead.

Jesters do oft prove prophets. (Act 5, Scene 3)  

Exp: Regan is the speaker here. She teases Goneril during their rivalry for Edmund’s love. Her words show that the Fool, often seen as foolish, is actually wise and insightful.

In wisdom I should ask thy name,/But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike…(Act 5, Scene 3)  

Exp: Edmund talks to his challenger, who is really Edgar. He does not recognize Edgar, showing how disguise and deception play a big role in the play.

Howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones! (Act 5, Scene 3)  

Exp: King Lear cries out in grief over Cordelia’s death. He is overwhelmed by sorrow and cannot understand why others aren’t as devastated as he is.