Act 1 scene 5 key quotes Flashcards
“I did her wrong” (appears right before the end of act 1 ) -Lear
the fact that it’s so early in the play shows how quickly he begins to recognise that he is in the wrong. ‘I’ is the subject of the statement, not projecting the blame onto anyone else, the first glimpse of recognition of his actions prompted by the conversations with the fool. No actual mention of Cordelia but we can infer that it is about her - however he has also just disowned Goneril and cursed her with infertility.
“so kind a father!” -Lear (1,5)
he views himself as kind, whether the audience agree with him or not. Therefore, the disrespect he receives from his daughters appears even more unfathomable.
“keep me in temper i would not be mad” -Lear (1,5)
Begin to feel sympathy for Lear as he recognises his faults really early on, however by the time he does it’s already too late . No clear anagnorisis, contrasted with Shakespeare’s other plays. Repetition of ‘mad’ (lines 43-45) Lear recognises how he tends to lose control trying to better himself. Makes him vulnerable as he needs to call upon external forces to help him.
