William Shakespeare’s King Lear is one of his most profound tragedies, offering a rich tapestry of human experience and emotion. From the destructive power of pride and betrayal to the eventual journey of self-awareness, the play’s wisdom has resonated through centuries, speaking to universal themes. Through its memorable dialogue, King Lear unveils the complexity of relationships, human frailty, and the nature of existence. One of the central devices used to explore these profound ideas is the use of memorable quotes. This collection of 45 significant quotes from the play reflects the depth of the human condition and remains a testament to Shakespeare’s insight into the human soul. Below are the 45 famous quotes, each standing on its own as a reflection of the characters’ complex thoughts and emotions throughout this dramatic work.
45 Famous Quotes From King Lear
1. “Nothing will come of nothing.”
2. “When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.”
3. “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”
4. “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.”
5. “As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.”
6. “The wheel is come full circle.”
7. “Take them by the hand and show them the ring.”
8. “This is the excellent foppery of the world, that when we are sick in fortune, often the surfeits of our own behavior.”
9. “See better, Lear; and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye.”
10. “We are not the first who with best meaning have incurred the worst.”
11. “No man knows himself.”
12. “I did her wrong.”
13. “The art of our necessities is strange, that can make vile things precious.”
14. “O, reason not the need!”
15. “I am a fool, I am a fool.”
16. “A fool’s bolt is soon shot.”
17. “My love’s more richer than my tongue.”
18. “Nothing can come of nothing.”
19. “The heavens reward your kind!”
20. “I will have such revenges on you both, that all the world shall—I will do such things—what they are, yet I know not.”
21. “The younger rises when the old doth fall.”
22. “O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper: I would not be mad!”
23. “Love is not love when it is mingled with regards that stand aloof from the entire point.”
24. “All that follow their noses are like a breed of poor, ungrateful children.”
25. “I’ll kneel down and ask the mercy of your pardon.”
26. “Your old kind of love is like a hot sun gone down.”
27. “Let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!”
28. “All that follow their noses are like a breed of poor, ungrateful children.”
29. “I will not be made a fool of.”
30. “You see me here, you gods, a poor old man!”
31. “The time will come when you shall have to bear your own shame.”
32. “I’ll be the pattern of all patience; I will do everything that comes from my duty.”
33. “We are all bound to know ourselves, if we are ever to have any peace.”
34. “I am bound to you for life and heart.”
35. “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”
36. “Yet he is beautiful, and the parts of life do speak aloud.”
37. “Blow winds and crack your cheeks!”
38. “Do you see this? Look at her, let her go.”
39. “I’ll do it; but I’ll not keep my wife.”
40. “We’ll go to the end.”
41. “What is the city but the people?”
42. “In the great circle of our lives, we all come full circle.”
43. “The king is a wise man and must give up his crown.”
44. “The fools are more learned than the wise.”
45. “The great circle has no end.”
Conclusion
The 45 quotes presented in this article offer just a glimpse of the profound wisdom found in King Lear. Each one reflects the complexity of the human condition and serves as a timeless reminder of Shakespeare’s ability to capture the essence of our deepest fears, hopes, and desires. The beauty of King Lear lies in its universal themes and characters, which continue to resonate across generations. Shakespeare’s rich language and deep understanding of human psychology make King Lear a work that will continue to be studied and admired for centuries to come. As we reflect on these quotes, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life, the depth of human emotions, and the inevitable consequences of our actions.
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