Quotes

Question 1

What does Lear mean by ‘Nothing will come of nothing.’?

Answer 1

Lear says this to Cordelia when she refuses to flatter him in exchange for her share of the kingdom.

Reflects Lear’s pride and his transactional view of love. Symbolizes the recurring theme of ‘nothingness’ (Lear’s loss, Cordelia’s silence, Lear’s madness). Marks the start of Lear’s tragic downfall as he misinterprets honesty as disloyalty.

Question 2

What is the significance of ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!’?

Answer 2

Lear expresses betrayal after Goneril undermines his authority.

Compares filial ingratitude to physical pain, reinforcing the theme of familial betrayal. Biblical serpent imagery evokes treachery and sin, linking Goneril and Regan to evil archetypes. Highlights Lear’s transition from a powerful king to a vulnerable father.

Question 3

What does Lear mean by ‘I am a man / More sinned against than sinning.’?

Answer 3

Lear, in the storm, reflects on his suffering and perception of injustice.

Suggests Lear feels unfairly treated by his daughters and the gods, highlighting the theme of justice. Demonstrates Lear’s partial self-awareness, as he acknowledges fault but doesn’t fully accept responsibility. Symbolizes his transformation from a prideful king to a humbled, suffering human being.

Question 4

What is the meaning of ‘The wheel is come full circle: I am here.’?

Answer 4

Edmund acknowledges his defeat after being fatally wounded.

The ‘wheel’ symbolizes the cyclical nature of fate and justice in the play. Reflects poetic justice, as Edmund’s betrayal and ambition lead to his downfall. Aligns with the structure of tragedy, where the antagonist ultimately faces retribution.

Question 5

What does Lear convey with ‘When we are born, we cry that we are come / To this great stage of fools.’?

Answer 5

Lear, in his madness, philosophizes about life and human suffering.

Metaphor of life as a ‘stage’ emphasizes futility and the performative nature of human existence. Reflects Lear’s existential despair and the insights gained through suffering. Symbolizes the theme of madness as a lens for wisdom and truth in the play.

Question 6

“I’ll do such things— / What they are yet I know not, but they shall be / The terrors of the earth!” (Act 2, Scene 4)

Answer 6

• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear, enraged by Regan and Goneril’s betrayal, vows revenge in a fit of helplessness.
• Analysis:
• Highlights Lear’s powerlessness, as his threats are empty and born of frustration.
• Reflects his growing instability, a precursor to his descent into madness.
• Demonstrates his inability to accept his diminishing authority, emphasizing the theme of pride and its consequences.

Question 7

“The nature which contemns its origin / Cannot be bordered certain in itself.” (Act 1, Scene 2)

Answer 7

• Speaker: Gloucester
• Context: Gloucester speaks about Edgar after being manipulated by Edmund.
• Analysis:
• Ironically, this line applies more to Edmund, who betrays his father and brother.
• Reflects the theme of natural order and family loyalty, which is disrupted throughout the play.
• Suggests the fragility of bonds when individuals act against their “nature” or origin.

Question 8

“The younger rises when the old doth fall.” (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 8

• Speaker: Edmund
• Context: Edmund reflects on his betrayal of Gloucester to Cornwall.
• Analysis:
• Symbolizes the generational conflict central to the play, as younger characters usurp the older generation.
• Reflects Edmund’s ambition and opportunistic nature, aligning with his Machiavellian tendencies.
• Suggests a broader theme of societal upheaval, where traditional hierarchies are overturned.

Question 9

“O dear father, / It is thy business that I go about.” (Act 4, Scene 4)

Answer 9

• Speaker: Cordelia
• Context: Cordelia, now Queen of France, leads an army to rescue Lear.
• Analysis:
• Reflects her unwavering loyalty and love for Lear, despite his earlier rejection.
• Evokes Christian imagery, as her words parallel Christ’s mission to save humanity, emphasizing her role as a figure of redemption.
• Contrasts sharply with the cruelty of Goneril and Regan, highlighting Cordelia’s purity and selflessness.

Question 10

“Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, / And thou no breath at all?” (Act 5, Scene 3)

Answer 10

• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear laments over Cordelia’s death in the final moments of the play.
• Analysis:
• Reflects Lear’s anguish and inability to comprehend the senselessness of Cordelia’s death.
• Demonstrates the futility of his journey toward redemption, as his love for Cordelia is fully realized only in her death.
• Suggests the lack of divine justice, reinforcing the play’s tragic and nihilistic undertones.

Question 11

“The weight of this sad time we must obey; / Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” (Act 5, Scene 3)

Answer 11

• Speaker: Albany
• Context: Albany closes the play after the deaths of Lear, Cordelia, and other central characters.
• Analysis:
• Reinforces the play’s message about honesty and authenticity, as opposed to deception and flattery.
• A somber reflection on the tragic consequences of human folly and betrayal.
• Suggests a faint hope for moral renewal, though the cost has been devastating.

Question 12

“See better, Lear, and let me still remain / The true blank of thine eye.” (Act 1, Scene 1)

Answer 12

• Speaker: Kent
• Context: Kent warns Lear not to banish Cordelia after she refuses to flatter him.
• Analysis:
• Symbolizes the motif of vision and blindness, as Lear’s inability to “see” the truth leads to his downfall.
• Kent’s loyalty contrasts with Lear’s impulsive pride and arrogance.
• Foreshadows Lear’s eventual enlightenment through suffering and madness.

Question 13

“The art of our necessities is strange, / That can make vile things precious.” (Act 3, Scene 2)

Answer 13

• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear speaks during the storm as he reflects on his suffering.
• Analysis:
• Highlights Lear’s growing empathy and recognition of human vulnerability.
• Reflects the theme of humility, as Lear’s experiences strip him of his pride and privilege.
• Demonstrates how suffering can lead to a deeper understanding of life’s fundamental truths.

Question 14

“Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” (Act 5, Scene 3)

Answer 14

• Speaker: Albany
• Context: Albany speaks this line after the tragic conclusion of the play, reflecting on the events.
• Analysis:
• A moral reflection on the dangers of dishonesty and flattery, which led to Lear’s downfall.
• Reinforces the theme of truth versus deception in both personal and political relationships.
• Suggests a lesson learned from the tragedy, though it comes too late to prevent the devastation.

Question 15

“Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Answer 15

• Speaker: The Fool
• Context: The Fool mocks Lear for his foolish decision to divide the kingdom.
• Analysis:
• Critiques Lear’s lack of foresight and wisdom despite his age and position.
• Highlights the play’s theme of folly and wisdom, showing that titles and power do not guarantee insight.
• The Fool acts as Lear’s conscience, offering harsh truths veiled in humor and riddles.

Question 16

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

Answer 16

• Speaker: Gloucester
• Context: Gloucester reflects on his suffering and the cruelty of fate after being blinded by Cornwall.
• Analysis:
• Suggests a bleak, nihilistic worldview, questioning the existence of divine justice.
• Reflects the theme of suffering and the randomness of human misery.
• The imagery portrays humanity as powerless and insignificant in the face of fate.

Question 17

“The prince of darkness is a gentleman.” (Act 3, Scene 4)

Answer 17

• Speaker: Edgar (as Poor Tom)
• Context: Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, speaks this line during his feigned madness.
• Analysis:
• Reflects the theme of evil masked by civility, as seen in characters like Edmund, Goneril, and Regan.
• Suggests a critique of society, where appearances often hide malicious intent.
• The reference to the devil emphasizes the moral decay and corruption in the play.

Question 18

“O, reason not the need!” (Act 2, Scene 4)

Answer 18

• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear argues with Regan and Goneril when they reduce the number of his knights.
• Analysis:
• Highlights Lear’s obsession with maintaining his dignity and status, despite relinquishing power.
• Explores the theme of identity and dependency, as Lear struggles to separate his authority from his self-worth.
• The speech reveals Lear’s vulnerability and sets the stage for his descent into madness.

Question 19

“Cordelia, Cordelia! Stay a little.” (Act 5, Scene 3)

Answer 19

• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear mourns over Cordelia’s death in the play’s tragic climax.
• Analysis:
• A heart-wrenching moment that encapsulates the depth of Lear’s love for Cordelia, which he only fully realizes too late.
• Symbolizes the futility of his redemption, as Cordelia’s death renders his transformation meaningless.
• Reflects the play’s ultimate tragedy: the senselessness of suffering and the lack of divine intervention.

Question 20

Back:
• Speaker: Lear
• Context: Lear mourns over Cordelia’s death in the play’s tragic climax.
• Analysis:
• A heart-wrenching moment that encapsulates the depth of Lear’s love for Cordelia, which he only fully realizes too late.
• Symbolizes the futility of his redemption, as Cordelia’s death renders his transformation meaningless.
• Reflects the play’s ultimate tragedy: the senselessness of suffering and the lack of divine intervention.

Answer 20

• Speaker: Edgar
• Context: Edgar speaks after defeating Edmund in a duel.
• Analysis:
• Suggests the idea of poetic justice, where Edmund’s betrayal and ambition lead to his downfall.
• Contrasts Gloucester’s nihilistic view of the gods with Edgar’s belief in moral order.
• Reflects the play’s exploration of justice, showing how individuals are punished for their actions.

Question 21

“Out, vile jelly! Where is thy lustre now?” (Act 3, Scene 7)

Answer 21

• Speaker: Cornwall
• Context: Cornwall says this while blinding Gloucester in one of the play’s most brutal scenes.
• Analysis:
• Symbolizes the physical and metaphorical blindness in the play, as Gloucester is punished for failing to see Edmund’s treachery.
• Demonstrates the sheer cruelty of Regan and Cornwall, reinforcing the theme of human capacity for evil.
• The violent imagery shocks the audience and underscores the play’s unrelenting bleakness.