King Lear: List of Essential Quotations for Leaving Cert

Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
(King Lear to daughters)

Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty
According to my bond; no more nor less.
(Cordelia to King Lear)

Let it be so. Thy truth then be thy dower.

(King Lear to Cordelia)
by the sacred radiance of the sun…
Here I disclaim all my paternal care.
(King Lear to Cordelia)

‘Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever but
slenderly known himself.

(Regan to Goneril)

The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash.

(Goneril to Regan)

Through tattered clothes, great vices do appear.
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all.
(King Lear to Edgar and Gloucester)

Why bastard? wherefore base?

Edmund the base
Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper.
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!
(Edmund to himself)

Which of them shall I take?
Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed.
If both remain alive.
(Edmund to himself)

That which my father loses: no less than all;
the younger rises when the old doth fall.
(Edmund to himself)

The wheel is come full circle. I am here.
(Edmund to Edgar)

Put on what weary negligence you please
(Goneril to Oswald)

How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!
(King Lear to himself)

And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment,Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least,
Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound
Reverb no hollowness.
(Kent to King Lear)

To wilful men the injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors.
(Regan to Cornwall)

You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!
(King Lear to Regan and Goneril)

I am a man
More sinned against than sinning.
(King Lear to Kent)

Here I stand, your slave –
A poor, infirm, weak and despised old man.
(King Lear to Fool)

As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport.
(Gloucester to himself)

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
(King Lear to Cordelia)

A man may see how this world goes
With no eyes
(Lear to Gloucester)

Pray you now, forget and forgive.
I am old and foolish.
(King Lear to Cordelia)

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us.
(Edgar to Edmund)

Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
(Edgar to Kent)


Care has been taken to reproduce these quotations accurately. Please always use your own version of King Lear.

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