Lear Who Said It Flashcards

Question

“Yet better thus, and known to be contemned, / Than still contemned and flattered. To be worst, / The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, / Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear. / The lamentable change is from the best; / The worst returns to laughter. [Welcome, then, / Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace. / The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst / Owes nothing to thy blasts]” (IV.i.1-9).

Answer 1

Step 1: Edgar is speaking to himself Step 2: It’s better to be openly despised than to be flattered while still being scorned. The worst position in life—the lowest, most miserable state—still holds hope and has nothing left to fear. The real suffering comes from falling from greatness. But once you’ve hit rock bottom, things can only improve. So, welcome, empty air—I embrace you. The man who has already suffered the worst owes nothing to fate’s cruelty. Step 3: Edgar reflects on the nature of suffering, suggesting that once someone has reached the lowest point, they no longer live in fear. This speech reinforces one of the play’s key ideas: the unpredictability of fortune. While others—like Lear and Gloucester—are still reeling from their downfall, Edgar, having lost everything, finds a strange resilience in his suffering. His words contrast sharply with Gloucester’s despair in this scene, highlighting different responses to misfortune. Edgar’s ability to endure foreshadows his eventual restoration, emphasizing the play’s themes of perseverance and the fleeting nature of fortune’s wheel.

Answer 2

**Step 1:** Gloucester speaks these lines after being blinded by Cornwall and his men. He has been cast out and is now wandering, guided by an old man. **Step 2:** I have no direction left in life, so I no longer need my eyes. I was blind to the truth even when I could see. Often, what we think protects us actually makes us weak, while our flaws can turn into strengths. Oh, my dear son Edgar, whom I wrongly condemned—if I could only touch you again, it would feel as if I had regained my sight. **Step 3:** Gloucester’s speech reflects the play’s themes of sight and blindness, both literal and metaphorical. Even when he had his vision, he was blind to Edmund’s deceit and Edgar’s loyalty. Now, in his physical blindness, he begins to perceive the truth. His realization that "our mere defects prove our commodities" suggests that suffering can lead to wisdom. His longing for Edgar also highlights the theme of redemption and the tragic consequences of his earlier mistakes. This moment deepens Gloucester’s role as a parallel to Lear, as both characters must endure immense suffering before gaining insight.

Answer 3

**Step 1:** Gloucester speaks these lines to the old man after being blinded and cast out. He reflects on his suffering and the cruelty of fate. **Step 2:** To the gods, we are like flies to mischievous boys—they destroy us just for their amusement. **Step 3:** This quote highlights the theme of fate and the seeming randomness of human suffering. Gloucester, now completely disillusioned, sees the gods as indifferent, even cruel, rather than just or merciful. His words reflect the play’s exploration of existential despair and the idea that human life is subject to forces beyond our control. This moment also mirrors Lear’s own struggle with the idea of justice in the universe, reinforcing the bleak vision of fate and power in *King Lear*.

Answer 4

Step 1: Gloucester speaks this line to his guide after being blinded and cast out. **Step 2:** It is a terrible time when the insane are the ones leading those who cannot see. **Step 3:** This line serves as a powerful metaphor for the chaos and disorder in the world of *King Lear*. Gloucester, now physically blind, recognizes the deeper societal blindness—those who should lead wisely are either corrupt or foolish. This idea mirrors Lear’s own descent into madness and the inversion of natural order throughout the play, reinforcing the theme of misrule and instability.

Answer 5

**Step 2:** My lady, he is a completely different man. When I told him an army had landed, he only smiled. When I told him you were coming, he said it made things worse. When I told him about Gloucester’s betrayal and Edgar’s loyalty, he called me a fool and said I had everything backward. What should upset him seemed to amuse him, and what should please him made him angry. **Step 3:** This passage highlights Albany’s transformation. Once passive and submissive to Goneril, he now rejects her cruelty and tyranny. His reaction to the news shows his growing moral clarity—he sees Gloucester as wronged and Edgar as faithful, reversing the twisted logic that Goneril and Edmund embrace. His shift in perspective reinforces the play’s theme of moral awakening, similar to Gloucester’s realization after his blinding. Additionally, his indifference to war and personal betrayal suggests a deeper disgust with the corruption around him.

Answer 6

**Step 1:** Albany speaks these lines to Goneril, condemning her actions and expressing his rage. **Step 2:** You unnatural and deceptive creature, don’t make yourself even more monstrous. If it were proper for me to act on my anger, my hands would gladly tear you apart. No matter how evil you are, your woman’s body protects you. **Step 3:** Albany’s fury reflects his moral transformation and his complete rejection of Goneril’s cruelty. His description of her as a “self-covering thing” suggests that she hides her true nature behind a deceptive exterior. The imagery of violence—his hands being “apt to dislocate and tear”—shows the depth of his anger, though he ultimately refrains from harming her because she is a woman. His words reinforce the play’s exploration of gender and power, as well as the theme of unnatural behavior—Goneril, like Regan, defies expected roles of femininity through her ruthless ambition. This moment marks a turning point in Albany’s character, as he prepares to stand against the corruption around him.

Answer 7

Step 1: Albany speaks these lines to Goneril in Act 4, Scene 2. He has just learned of Cornwall’s death and sees it as divine justice for Cornwall’s cruelty. This moment also marks the growing rift between Albany and Goneril, as he becomes increasingly disgusted by her and her allies' actions. Step 2: Albany acknowledges that higher powers (the "justicers") are above humans and capable of delivering swift justice. The fact that Cornwall has already been punished for his cruelty proves that divine forces are at work, ensuring that evil deeds are avenged. Step 3: This passage reinforces the theme of justice and morality in King Lear. Albany sees Cornwall’s death as proof that the gods are actively punishing wrongdoing, highlighting the idea of divine retribution. However, this belief is later challenged as further injustices occur without immediate punishment. The line also contrasts with the chaos in the play—while Albany believes in justice, others like Edmund manipulate fate for their own

Answer 8

Step 1: Goneril speaks these lines in an aside to herself in Act 4, Scene 2, after learning that Cornwall has died. She initially sees this as beneficial to her ambitions but then realizes it may complicate her own plans, especially regarding Regan and Edmund. Step 2: Goneril is pleased by Cornwall’s death in one sense because it removes a rival. However, she realizes that his widow, Regan, may now pursue Gloucester (Edmund), the very man she desires for herself. This threatens the “building” of her ambitions, making her situation more precarious. In another sense, the news isn’t entirely bad, as she still has room to maneuver. Step 3: This passage highlights the theme of power and ambition. Goneril views events through a selfish lens, concerned only with how they affect her plans. Her rivalry with Regan over Edmund emphasizes how greed and lust for power drive the sisters apart, further dismantling their once-united front. The phrase “hateful life” also gives a rare glimpse into Goneril’s inner turmoil—despite her cruelty, she too feels trapped by the world she has helped create.

Answer 9

Step 1: The Gentleman speaks these lines to Kent in Act 4, Scene 3. He describes how Cordelia reacted upon hearing about Lear’s suffering, emphasizing her deep but controlled emotions. Step 2: Cordelia sheds tears for her father, but she remains composed. She appears to rule over her emotions like a queen, though her emotions still try to overthrow her, like a rebel challenging a king. Step 3: This passage illustrates Cordelia’s strength and compassion. Unlike her sisters, who are consumed by power, Cordelia balances emotion and reason. The imagery of a “queen” and a “rebel” battling within her reflects the play’s broader themes of order and chaos—she represents order, yet even she struggles to maintain control. This moment also contrasts with Lear’s emotional breakdown, reinforcing the idea that true leadership requires both strength and empathy.

Answer 10

Step 1: Cordelia speaks these lines to a messenger in Act 4, Scene 4. She explains that her purpose in returning to Britain is to help her father, not to gain power. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “O dear father,” → Oh, my beloved father, “It is thy business that I go about.” → I am acting on your behalf; my mission is for you. “Therefore great France” → That is why the King of France “My mourning and importuned tears hath pitied.” → Has taken pity on my sorrow and constant pleas. “No blown ambition doth our arms incite,” → We are not fighting because of overgrown ambition, “But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right.” → But out of love—deep love—and to restore my father’s rightful place. “Soon may I hear and see him.” → I hope I will soon hear news of him and see him again. Step 3: This passage highlights Cordelia’s selflessness and loyalty to Lear, contrasting with her sisters’ cruelty. She clarifies that France is not invading for political gain but to restore justice. The themes of justice, love, and fate emerge, as Cordelia sees it as her duty to correct the wrongs done to her father.

Answer 11

Step 1: Regan speaks these lines to Oswald, Goneril’s servant, in Act 4, Scene 6. She tries to convince him that Edmund should be with her instead of Goneril. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Therefore I do advise you take this note:” → So, I suggest that you take this letter with you. “My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talked,” → My husband, Cornwall, is dead; I have spoken with Edmund, “And more convenient is he for my hand / Than for your lady’s.” → And he is a better match for me than for your mistress, Goneril. “You may gather more.” → You can figure out what that means. “If you do find him, pray you, give him this,” → If you find Edmund, please give him this letter. “And when your mistress hears thus much from you,” → And when Goneril hears this news from you, “I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.” → Tell her she should think carefully about her next move. Step 3: This passage reveals Regan’s ambition and rivalry with Goneril. She openly challenges her sister for Edmund’s affection, showing how greed and lust for power have turned them against each other. The phrase “call her wisdom to her” suggests that Regan believes Goneril is making a foolish move, reinforcing the theme of manipulation and betrayal.

Answer 12

Step 1: Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, speaks these lines to Gloucester in Act 4, Scene 6. Gloucester has just attempted suicide by jumping off what he believed to be a cliff, but Edgar tricked him into thinking he survived a great fall. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,” → If you had been anything as light as spider silk, feathers, or air, “So many fathom down precipitating,” → Falling down so many depths, “Thou’dst shivered like an egg; but thou dost breathe,” → You would have shattered like an egg—but you are still breathing. “Hast heavy substance, bleed’st not, speak’st art sound.” → You have weight, you are not bleeding, and you can still speak clearly. “Ten masts at each make not the altitude / Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.” → Even ten ship masts stacked together would not equal the height you supposedly fell from. “Thy life’s a miracle. Speak yet again.” → Your survival is a miracle. Say something again. Step 3: This passage explores the themes of fate, perception, and deception. Gloucester, who had given up on life, is tricked into believing that divine intervention saved him, which restores his will to live. Edgar’s deception serves a greater purpose, demonstrating how perception can shape reality. This moment also highlights hope and resilience, as Gloucester now sees his survival as a sign to endure his suffering rather than succumb to despair.

Answer 13

Step 1: Gloucester speaks these lines to Edgar (still in disguise) in Act 4, Scene 6. He has just survived his supposed suicide attempt and now reflects on his suffering and the figure who led him there. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Henceforth I’ll bear / Affliction till it do cry out itself / ‘Enough, enough!’ and die.” → From now on, I will endure my suffering until it ends on its own and dies out. “That thing you speak of, / I took it for a man.” → That being you’re talking about—I thought he was a real man. “Often ‘twould say / ‘The fiend, the fiend!’” → He often cried out, ‘The devil, the devil!’ “He led me to that place.” → He was the one who brought me to the edge of the cliff. Step 3: This passage marks a turning point in Gloucester’s philosophy on suffering. Initially, he believed death was the only escape, but now he resigns himself to endure affliction until fate decides his time has come. His mention of “the fiend” ties into the play’s theme of deception—his perception of reality was entirely shaped by manipulation, just as Lear’s was. The line also reinforces divine justice, as Gloucester begins to accept his fate rather than trying to control it.

Answer 14

Step 1: Lear speaks these lines to Gloucester in Act 4, Scene 6. He reflects on how justice is biased in favor of the rich while the poor are punished for minor offenses. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Through tattered clothes small vices do appear.” → When someone wears ragged clothes, even the smallest sins are visible. “Robes and furred gowns hide all.” → But luxurious robes and furred gowns cover everything, “Plate sin with gold, / And the strong lance of justice hurtles breaks.” → If you cover sin in gold, even the strongest weapon of justice shatters against it. “Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.” → But if sin is dressed in rags, even a tiny straw can pierce through and condemn it. “None does offend, none, I say, none; I’ll able ‘em.” → Nobody is guilty—no one, I tell you, no one; I will prove it! “Take that of me, my friend, who have the power / To seal th’ accuser’s lips.” → Believe me when I say this, my friend—I know because I have the power to silence the accuser. Step 3: Lear criticizes social inequality and corruption in justice. He argues that the rich can commit crimes without consequences, while the poor are easily condemned. His statement “None does offend” suggests that justice is subjective, manipulated by those in power. This passage ties into the theme of appearance versus reality, as wealth and status dictate who is seen as guilty or innocent. Lear’s madness allows him to see the world’s hypocrisy more clearly than ever before.

Answer 15

Step 1: Cordelia speaks these lines to Lear in Act 4, Scene 7. She expresses sorrow over his suffering and questions how her sisters could have been so cruel. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Had you not been their father, these white flakes / Did challenge pity of them.” → Even if you weren’t their father, your white hair alone should have made them pity you. “Was this a face / To be opposed against the jarring winds?” → Was your face meant to be exposed to the harsh, clashing winds? “To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder, / In the most terrible and nimble stroke / Of quick cross-lightning?” → To endure the deep, terrifying thunder and the swift, deadly strikes of lightning? “To watch, poor perdu, / With this thin helm?” → To wander, like a lost soldier, with nothing but your bare head as protection? “Mine enemy’s dog, / Thou he had bit me, should have stood that night / Against my fire.” → Even my enemy’s dog, if it had bitten me, I still would have let it stay by my fire that night. “And wast thou fain, poor father, / To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn / In short and musty straw?” → And yet, dear father, you were forced to take shelter with pigs and desperate criminals, lying in filthy, rotting straw? “Alack, alack, / ‘Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once / Had not concluded all.” → Oh, it’s a miracle that your body and your mind didn’t both give up entirely at the same time. Step 3: Cordelia’s words emphasize Lear’s tragic downfall and suffering. She cannot fathom how her sisters could treat him so cruelly. The imagery of storms and exposure to nature reinforces Lear’s loss of power—he, once a king, was reduced to a homeless wanderer. The reference to her enemy’s dog highlights the irony that even an animal deserves more compassion than Lear received from his own daughters. This passage underscores the themes of family betrayal, suffering, and human dignity.

Answer 16

Step 1: Lear speaks these lines to Cordelia and the doctor in Act 4, Scene 7. He has just woken up after being cared for and struggles to recognize the people around him. Step 2 (Line-by-Line Translation): “Methinks I should know you and know this man,” → I feel like I should recognize you and this other man, “Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant / What place this is,” → But I am unsure because I don’t even know where I am. “And all the skill I have / Remembers not these garments;” → And no matter how hard I try, I can’t even remember these clothes I’m wearing. “Nor I now not / Where I did lodge last night.” → I don’t even know where I slept last night. “Do not laugh at me,” → Please don’t laugh at me, “For, as I am a man, I think this lady / To be my child Cordelia.” → Because, as surely as I am a man, I believe this woman is my daughter, Cordelia. Step 3: Lear’s words show his fragile mental state and his journey toward self-awareness. His confusion reflects how far he has fallen, from a powerful king to a lost, dependent old man. The fact that he doesn’t remember his surroundings or his clothing symbolizes how much he has been stripped of his former identity. However, the moment he recognizes Cordelia represents a moment of clarity and redemption—he is slowly regaining his sanity. This passage reinforces the themes of madness, loss of identity, and reconciliation.

Answer 17

Step 1: Edmund is speaking to himself Step 2: This is the great foolishness of the world: when we suffer in life (often because of our own actions), we blame our disasters on the sun, the moon, and the stars, as if we were villains by necessity, fools because the heavens made us so, knaves, thieves, and traitors by the influence of the planets, drunkards, liars, and adulterers because we’re obeying some cosmic command. We blame our evil actions on divine will, as if the heavens were forcing us into sin. What a clever excuse for mankind to blame his wicked nature on the position of the stars! Step 3: Edmund here critiques the tendency of people to blame fate, or divine forces, for their misfortunes and wrongdoings, rather than accepting responsibility for their own choices. He ridicules the idea that people are merely victims of cosmic forces or planetary influence, using it as a way to avoid accountability for their actions. This soliloquy is significant because it reveals Edmund’s cynical and manipulative nature, as he rejects the idea of fate or divine intervention altogether. He is determined to shape his own destiny, regardless of the norms that dictate behavior or the expectations placed on him as a bastard. His rejection of these ideas further establishes his desire to defy social and moral constraints, foreshadowing the lengths he will go to achieve power and manipulate others throughout the play.