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.
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KEY IDEA
In tragic irony, the words and actions of the characters contradict
the real situation, which the spectators fully realize.