King Lear quotes Flashcards

Question

"thou wouldst make a good...

Answer 1

...Fool" - The Fool to Lear paradoxical task of distracting Lear from his suffering and encouraging him to take responsibilty

Answer 2

but I hope his heart is not in the contents" - false display of concern, highlights his machiavellian nature

Answer 3

- "fa, sol, la, mi" often referred to as the diabolus in musica, due to the foreboding atmosphere it evokes

Answer 4

...but slenderly known himself" - Regan comments on his old age and lack of self-awareness

Answer 5

...years" - the theory of the four humours - an excess of choler resulted in irrational behaviour and increased anger

Answer 6

...babes again" - Goneril about Lear The Seven Ages of Man

Answer 7

...are old" - Regan to Lear - patronising

Answer 8

..."what need one?" they collectively undermine his authority

Answer 9

...his beard.]" - stage direction highlights Regan's lack of respect for someone superior in in age, sex and social satus.

Answer 10

...business I go about" - Cordelia to Lear Despite the way Lear mistreated her, she is still loyal to him - she appears Christ-like, as these lines allude to a biblical passage

Answer 11

...gods: they use us for their sport" Gloucester simile, implies men are pawns used for entertainment and discarded - nihilistic

Answer 12

...I saw" - Gloucester highlights how when he had sight he could not see the truth

Answer 13

...till thou hadst been wise" - the Fool notes that usually age and experience brings wisdom, but Lear remained ignorant under the protection of his wealth and status

Answer 14

...be mad" - the audience pity him

Answer 15

...cheap as beast's" contradicts Lear's later line "unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal"

Answer 16

...sinned against than sinning" - Lear is a tragic hero, he admits he is flawed but asserts his treatment is unjust - however it could also be argued he is victimising himself

Answer 17

...little care of this" - The regretful realisation shows Lear discovered a newfound awareness for the poor within his country

Answer 18

...him to this pass?" - Lear's question aligns Edgar's pretence of madness with his own true state - he assumes every beggar's condition is due to filial ingratitude, specifically women, as feminists would note

Answer 19

...fond old man" - Lear's anagnorisis is a gradual process but here is takes full effect.

Answer 20

...know me?" - Cordelia asks Lear, a modern audience realises he shows signs of dementia

Answer 21

"Both? One? Or neither?" - series of short questions imply he is amused by the predicament, thus he holds absolute disregard for their feelings - yet later he says "all three now marry in an instant", thus he takes neither in life, but both in death.

Answer 22

...despite of mine own nature" - some may pity him, he believes evil is in him yet a modern audience cannot blame him for his desire to rebel. We realise he is not evil by nature, but a product of his classist environment.

Answer 23

...look there!" He dies believing Cordelia might be alive, which evokes catharsis

Answer 24

- Edgar, the final lines of the play he speaks in rhyme, offers a sense of finality The audience are encouraged to the consequences of the character's actions

King Lear quotes Flashcards

(48 cards)