Knowledge Notes + Key quotes Act 1 scene 4 Quote KING LEAR Exploration All imagery in play acts on opposites What art thou? Kent introduces theme of DISGUISE/ Appearance reality/ truth honesty/ deception KENT A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. KING LEAR Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness Include notes and all quotes already underlind from the fool in your book KING LEAR Lear is starting to see his neglect but he is not sure is his own fault or someone elses He does not want to believe it is due to his daughters unkindness LEAR IS BLIND TO THE TRUTH The Role of the Fool Foreshadows Lear’s descent into madness O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! O Lear, Lear, Lear! Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child! Away, away Who is it that can tell me who I am? Lear recognizes his intransigence and inability to see his foolish choices Lear curses his daughter asking the heavens to bring sterility to her Note the animal imagery n.b chain of being Lear is on his tragic decline Fool Lear's shadow. Blog notes= http://sacenglish.wordpress.com KEY IDEA In tragic irony, the words and actions of the characters contradict the real situation, which the spectators fully realize.