Key Moments

1. Act 1, Scene 1: Lear Divides His Kingdom

Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love.

Lear: "We have divided / In three our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent / To shake all cares and business from our age."

Goneril and Regan's flattery wins them large shares, while Cordelia's honesty results in her disinheritance and banishment.

Cordelia: "What shall Cordelia speak? Love, / and be silent."

This moment sets the stage for the ensuing chaos and betrayal.

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2. Act 2, Scene 4: Lear's Rejection by Regan

After being rejected by Goneril, Lear seeks refuge with Regan. However, she and her husband, Cornwall, also turn him away, refusing to house him and his knights.

Regan: "Shut up your doors:/ He is attended with a desperate train,/ And what they may incense him to, being apt/ To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear."

Cornwall: "Shut up your doors, my lord. 'Tis a wild night./ My Regan counsels well. Come out o' th' storm."

This deepens Lear's sense of betrayal and drives him towards madness.

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3. Act 3, Scene 7: Gloucester's Blinding

Gloucester is captured by Regan and Cornwall for aiding Lear. In a brutal act, Cornwall blinds Gloucester.

Cornwall: "Out, vile jelly! / Where is thy lustre now?"

Gloucester then realises Edmund's betrayal, and his mistreatment of Edgar.

Gloucester: "O my follies! then Edgar was abus'd. / Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!"

This act of violence highlights the play's intense cruelty and the theme of suffering leading to insight.

Gloucester: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;/ They kill us for their sport."

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4. Act 4, Scene 6: Lear's Madness on the Heath

Lear, now completely mad, encounters Gloucester, who is being led by his disguised son Edgar.

Lear: "When we are born, we cry that we are come / To this great stage of fools."

This scene showcases Lear's descent into insanity and his newfound humility as he grapples with his mistakes and the harsh realities of his actions.

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5. Act 5, Scene 3: The Tragic Conclusion

In the final act, Lear and Cordelia are captured by Edmund's forces.

Lear: "We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage."

Despite their attempt to reconcile and escape, Cordelia is hanged, and Lear dies from grief holding her body.

The play concludes with Albany, Edgar, and Kent left to pick up the pieces of a shattered kingdom, highlighting the devastating consequences of the characters' actions and decisions.

Lear: "Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, / And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more, / Never, never, never, never, never."

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