key quotations Act 4

Question 1

Gloucester talking to the old man

Answer 1

I have no way and therefore want no eyes;/ I stumbled when I saw

Question 2

Gloucester talking to the old man part 2

Answer 2

As flies to wanton boys are we to the Gods;/ They kill us for their sport

Question 3

Gloucester talking to the old man part 3

Answer 3

Tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind

Question 4

Albany talking to Goneril

Answer 4

O Goneril,/ you are not worth the dust that the rude wind blows in your face

Question 5

Goneril insulting Albany

Answer 5

Milk-livered man

Question 6

Goneril talking to Albany part 2

Answer 6

France spreads his banners in our noiseless land…/ white thou, a moral fool, sits still and criest

Question 7

Gentleman describing Cordelia crying about her father

Answer 7

She shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes

Question 8

Kent describing why Lear won’t see Cordelia

Answer 8

Burning shame

Question 9

Cordelia describing what Lear is now wearing on his head

Answer 9

Crowned with rank fumiter and furrow weeds

Question 10

Cordelia talking about Lear- this is a reference to something Jesus said

Answer 10

Oh dear father. It is thy business I go about

Question 11

Cordelia saying that she is invading England to protect her father, not to further her own power

Answer 11

No blown ambition doth our arms incite/ But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right

Question 12

Edgar talking to Gloucester after his “Jump” from the cliff

Answer 12

Thy life’s a miracle

Question 13

Gloucester talking to Edgar after his miraculous survival

Answer 13

Henceforth I’ll bear affliction

Question 14

Lear talking about Goneril and Regan

Answer 14

They flattered me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs in my beard

Question 15

Lear is talking about the way that goneril and Regan deceived him into thinking he was perfect and invincible

Answer 15

They told me I was everything; tis a lie, I am not ague- proof

Question 16

Lear talking about women in general- he’s being misogynistic

Answer 16

Down from the waist they are centaurs through women all above

Question 17

Lear talking to Gloucester- fields near Dover

Answer 17

Thou mighst behold the great Image of authority; a dogs obeyed in office

Question 18

Lear talking to Gloucester about the rich and the poor

Answer 18

Through tattered clothes great vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all

Question 19

Oswald talking about Gloucester before he attempts to kill him

Answer 19

A proclaimed prize, most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh to raise my fortunes!

Question 20

Cordelia talking about Lear- in Dover end of act 4

Answer 20

O my dear father! restoration hang/ thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss/ repair thos violent harms that my two sisters/ Have made

Question 21

Cordelia Talking to Lear- act 4 scene 7

Answer 21

You must not kneel

Question 22

Lear talking to Cordelia after waking up

Answer 22

Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound/ upon a wheel of fire, than mine own tears/ do scald like molten lead

Question 23

Lear talking to Cordelia 23

Answer 23

Pray do not mock me:/ I am very foolish, fond old man,/ Fourscore and upward,/ Not an hour more nor less; and to deal plainly,/ I feel that I am not in my perfect mind