King Lear Phrases

1. "worn out with age"

Meaning: Extremely tired and weakened due to old age. Refers to King Lear feeling the
effects of his advanced years.

2. "the fatigues of government"

Meaning: The exhausting responsibilities and burdens of ruling a kingdom. It highlights how
ruling has drained King Lear.

3. "younger strengths"

Meaning: Refers to the abilities and energy of younger individuals. King Lear wishes to
transfer his responsibilities to those younger and more capable.

4. "prepare for death"

Meaning: To get ready for the end of life. King Lear is planning for the time he has left by
stepping away from his duties.

5. "fit of fatherly fondness"

Meaning: A sudden and strong feeling of love and affection as a father. Lear's emotional
decision to reward Goneril comes from this.
6. "professing stuff"

Meaning: Words or declarations that express feelings, often in a way that might not be
genuine. This phrase questions the sincerity of Goneril's words.
7. "ample kingdom"

Meaning: A large and abundant kingdom. Describes the vastness of Lear's land that he plans
to divide.

8. "were joint suitors"

Meaning: that both the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy wanted to marry Cordelia
at the same time. They were both asking for her hand in marriage.

9. "worn out with age and the fatigues of the government"

Meaning: that King Lear was very tired and weak because of his old age and the hard work
and responsibilities of ruling the kingdom for so long.

10. "more than fourscore years old"

Meaning: King Lear was over 80 years old. (A "score" equals 20, so "fourscore" is 4 × 20 =
80.)

11. "at no longer period ensue"

means that no more time should pass, or there should not be any delay. In this context, it
suggests that King Lear believes decisions need to be made without waiting any longer.

12. "in a fit of fatherly fondness"

means that King Lear, overcome by a strong feeling of love and affection as a father, made an
emotional decision.

13. "made of the same hollow metal"

means that someone is similar in being insincere or lacking true substance, just like
something that looks valuable on the outside but is empty on the inside.

14. "not a whit behind in her profession"

means that Regan was not at all less in her declarations or claims compared to her sister.

15. "after the handsome assurances"

refers to the promises or statements that are confidently and pleasingly made, but possibly
insincere.
16. "wheedle the old king out of his dominions"

means to cleverly or deceitfully persuade the old king (King Lear) to give up or relinquish his
power and kingdom.
17. "she loved his majesty according to her duty"

means that the person (Cordelia) loved King Lear because it was her responsibility as his
daughter, not because of personal affection or flattery.

18. "appearance of ingratitude"

means that something seemed like a lack of thankfulness or appreciation, even though it
might not be true.

19. "to mend her speech lest it should mar her fortunes"

means that Cordelia was advised to improve or change the way she spoke so that it wouldn't
negatively affect her future or success.

20. "crafty flattering speeches of her sisters"

refers to the insincere and manipulative words spoken by Lear's daughters, Goneril and
Regan.

21. "the most handsomest thing she could do was to love and be silent"

means that the best or most honorable thing Cordelia could do was to love her father
sincerely without speaking too much about it.

22. "dotage incident to old age had so clouded over his reason"

means that King Lear's old age had caused him to lose his clear judgment and mental clarity.

23. "could not discern truth from flattery"

means that King Lear was unable to tell the difference between what was genuinely true and
what was just exaggerated praise or manipulation.

24. "a gay painted speech from words that came from the heart"

contrasts insincerity with genuine emotion. "Gay painted speech" refers to words that are
bright, flattering, and possibly false, designed to impress or please. On the other hand,
"words that came from the heart" refer to sincere, honest expressions of emotion.

25. "in a fury of resentment"

means feeling intense anger and bitterness.

26. "invested them jointly with all the power"

means that King Lear gave both of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, equal control and
authority over his kingdom.
27. "all the rest of royalty he resigned"

means that King Lear gave up or voluntarily gave away the remaining aspects of his royal
power and authority.

28. "so little guided by reason"

means that King Lear was not thinking rationally or logically.

29. "on pain of death commanded him to desist"

means that someone ordered another person to stop or cease an action, with the threat of
death if they did not obey.

30. "when power bowed to flattery, honour was bound to plainness"

means that when those in power (like King Lear) allowed themselves to be influenced by
insincere praise or flattery, true honor and integrity were tied to being honest and
straightforward.

31. "only stirred up the king's wrath the more"

means that the actions or words of others caused King Lear to become even angrier.

32. "like a frantic patient who kills his physician"

is a metaphor that describes a situation where someone, in their desperation or irrational

state, harms the very person who is trying to help them.

33. "to shape his old course to a new country"

means to adjust or change one's previous way of life or actions to fit a new environment or
situation.

34. "under her father's displeasure"

means that someone (Cordelia) was in a state of disapproval or anger from her father, King
Lear.

35. "had no fortune but her own person to recommend her"

means that the person (likely Cordelia) had no wealth, land, or material possessions to offer,
but only her own qualities—such as her character, integrity, or appearance.

36. "knowing what the nature of fault had been"

means knowing what the specific wrong or mistake was.

37. "only a tardiness of speech"

means that the issue or problem was simply a delay or slowness in speaking.

38. "frame her tongue to flattery"

means to make an effort to speak in a way that praises or flatters someone, often insincerely.

39. "her virtues were a dowry above a kingdom"

means that the good qualities or moral character of the person (likely Cordelia) were worth
more than any material wealth or kingdom.

40. "a waterish duke"

refers to a duke who is weak, indecisive, or lacking in strength and character.

41. "had in a moment run all away like water"
means that something was lost or disappeared very quickly, just as water can flow away
swiftly.

42. "who had taken her as Fortune's alms"

means that someone (likely the King of France) accepted Cordelia as a gift or favor from
fate, rather than because of her wealth or status.

43. "with a heavy heart departed"

means leaving with great sadness, sorrow, or regret. It suggests that the person (Cordelia)
was feeling emotional pain or distress as they left

44. "knew the cunning of her sisters"

means that the person (likely Cordelia) was aware of the deceitful and manipulative nature of
her sisters, Goneril and Regan.

45. "show themselves in their true colours"

means to reveal one's real character or intentions, especially when those are dishonest or
negative.

46. "differences between promises and performances"

refers to the gap between what someone says they will do (promises) and what they actually
do (performances).

47. "began to grudge even those small remnants of royalty"

means that the person started to feel resentful or unwilling to accept even the small amount of
power or status he still had left.

48. "frowning countenance"

refers to a facial expression that shows displeasure, anger, or worry.

49. "esteemed his old age a useless burden"

means that the person saw aging as something that was no longer valuable or useful, but
rather as a heavy, unnecessary load.

50. "but he shut his eyes against it"

means that the person (likely King Lear) deliberately ignored or refused to acknowledge
something, even though it was clear or important.

51. "true love and fidelity are no more to be estranged by ill, than falsehood and hollow-
heartedness can be eliminated by good usage"
means that genuine love and loyalty cannot be turned away or destroyed by bad treatment,
just as deceit and insincerity cannot be changed or made better by kind treatment.

52. "in the disguise of a serving man"

means that someone is pretending to be a servant or disguising their true identity in order to
hide who they really are.

53. "rather bluntness in his answers"

means that the person gave direct, straightforward responses, without softening or hiding his
true feelings.

54. "giving him saucy looks and language"

means that the person (Caius) was behaving in a bold, disrespectful, or impertinent manner.

55. "to make them sport after serious business"

means to lighten the mood or shift from a serious or important matter to something more
playful or entertaining.

56. "could not refrain sometimes from jeering at his master for his imprudence in
uncrowning himself"

means that the person (likely a servant) occasionally made fun of or mocked his master (King
Lear) for his foolishness in giving up his throne.

57. for sudden joy did weep and he for sorrow sung that such a king should play bo-
peep and go to the fools among

• "For sudden joy did weep" suggests that someone (possibly Lear or his followers) cried
out of overwhelming joy, perhaps due to an unexpected turn of events or a moment of
happiness.
• "And he for sorrow sung" refers to someone (likely Lear as well) expressing sorrow
through song, possibly lamenting his loss of power or the foolishness of his actions.
• "That such a king should play bo-peep / and go to the fools among" is a critique of
Lear's behavior, saying it is ridiculous for a king to act like a child (as in the children's game
of "bo-peep") and mingle with foolish or disloyal people.

58. "wild sayings and scraps of songs"

refers to disjointed, incoherent, or nonsensical words and fragments of music.

59. "poured out his heart"

means to express one's deepest emotions or feelings, often in a sincere or emotional way.
60. "served to fill her court with riot and feasting"
means that someone (likely Goneril) refer to the army of King Lear that they create an
atmosphere of excess, indulgence, and disorder in the royal court.

61. "that he called her a detested kite"

means that someone (likely King Lear) insulted or denounced a woman (Goneril) by calling
her a "kite," which was a derogatory term.

62. "all men of choice behaviour and sobriety of manner"

refers to individuals who are distinguished by their excellent conduct and self-discipline.

63. "it was a marble-hearted devil"

describes someone who is cruel, cold, and emotionless, comparing them to marble, which is a
hard, unfeeling material.

64. "more hideous in a child than the sea-monster"

emphasizes the extreme evil or unnaturalness of a child's behavior, comparing it to the

monstrous and terrifying nature of a sea monster.

65. "sharper than a serpent's tooth it was to have a thankless child"

it means that having a child who is ungrateful or disloyal is a deeply painful and hurtful
experience.
66. "have so much power over his manhood as to make him weep"

refers to the ability to emotionally affect or manipulate someone to the point where they lose
their composure and cry. "Manhood" here represents a man's dignity, strength, or self-
control.

67. "accusing her father of waywardness and ill humours"

means that the person (Goneril) is blaming or criticizing her father for being unpredictable,
stubborn, or difficult (waywardness) and for having a bad temper or mood swings (ill
humours).

68. "began to revile him"

means that someone started to speak about or address a person (likely King Lear) in a harsh,
abusive manner.

69. "in a fit of honest passion"

means that someone is expressing strong, genuine emotions, typically in a moment of intense
feeling.
70. "a bad omen"
refers to a sign or event that is believed to predict something negative or unfortunate in the
future.

71. "willing to outdo her sister in unfilial behavior"

means that one sister (Regan) is eager to surpass or exceed the other in showing a lack of
respect, love, or loyalty toward their father.

72. "which pierced this poor king to the heart"

means that something (likely a cruel or hurtful action or word) deeply wounded or saddened
King Lear emotionally

73. "double ill-usage and vexation for having so foolishly given away a kingdom"

refers to the intense emotional pain and frustration that King Lear experiences after realizing
the consequences of his decision to divide his kingdom.

74. "his wits began to be unsettled"

means that the person (likely King Lear) started to lose his mental clarity or sanity.

75. "a terror to the earth"

means that someone or something is so frightening or destructive that it causes fear and dread
on a large scale, affecting everyone around.
76. "what his weak arm could never execute"

efers to tasks or actions that someone (likely King Lear) is unable to carry out due to physical
or emotional limitations.
77. "injuries which wilful men procure to themselves are their just punishments"

means that individuals who act with stubbornness, selfishness, or deliberate disregard for
others (referred to as "wilful men") often bring harm upon themselves as a result of their own
actions.

78. "wander out and defy the winds and the thunder"
means to go out into the storm or face dangerous conditions, showing a defiant or fearless
attitude in the face of adversity.
79. "bid the winds to blow the earth into the sea"

means to command or wish for a powerful force of nature to destroy everything, even the
land itself.
80. "no token might remain of any such ungrateful animal as man"
expresses the desire to erase all evidence of humanity, particularly in response to the
perceived ingratitude or cruelty of people. "Token" refers to a symbol or sign, and
"ungrateful animal" is a harsh description of humans, highlighting their perceived lack of
gratitude or compassion.
81. but he that has a little tiny wit, with heigh ho, the wind and the rain! must make
content with his fortunes fit, though the rain it raineth every day.
• "But he that has a little tiny wit" refers to someone with limited intelligence or
understanding. The Fool suggests that even those who are not very wise must accept
their fate.
• "With heigh ho, the wind and the rain!" is a refrain expressing a resigned
acceptance, as if to say, "It is what it is." The "wind and the rain" symbolize life's
troubles or challenges.
• "Must make content with his fortunes fit" means that a person must come to terms
with the life they have, even if it doesn't meet their desires or expectations.
• "Though the rain it raineth every day" highlights the ongoing nature of life's
hardships. The rain symbolizes difficulties that persist without end.
82. "lesser evils were not felt where a greater malady was fixed"

means that when someone is suffering from a major problem or illness, smaller issues or
inconveniences are hardly noticed or are overshadowed. "Lesser evils" refers to minor
difficulties or troubles, and "greater malady" refers to a more significant or serious
problem.

83. when the mind is at ease, the body has leisure to be delicate, but the tempest in his
mind did take all feeling else from his senses, because of that which beat at his heart

when a person’s mind is calm and at peace, their body can afford to be attentive to finer,
more delicate sensations. However, when the mind is troubled or in turmoil, such as with
overwhelming emotions or mental distress, the body’s awareness of other sensations is
overshadowed.

The "tempest in his mind" represents emotional turmoil, and "beat at his heart" symbolizes
the intense emotional pain or anxiety that consumes the individual.

84. "enter a little wretched hovel"

refers to someone entering a small, miserable, and poor dwelling, often characterized by
discomfort

85. "the better to extort charity from the compassionate country people"

means using a strategy or appearance that makes one seem more deserving of help or pity in
order to receive aid from others.
86. "partly by prayer and partly by lunatic curses"
refers to someone using a mix of sincere, pleading requests (prayers) and irrational, angry, or
wild condemnations (lunatic curses).

87. "should be restored to greater composure"

means that someone should regain a state of calmness, control, and emotional stability.

88. "receiving filial kindness from her whom he had cast off for so small a fault in his
displeasure"

refers to King Lear being shown care or love (filial kindness) by his daughter, whom he had
previously disowned or rejected for a minor mistake or offense that had angered him.

89. "succeeded in winding up the untuned and jarring senses"

means that someone has managed to restore harmony or order to their chaotic or disturbed
thoughts and emotions.

90. "monsters of ingratitude"

refers to individuals who exhibit extreme or unnatural levels of lack of appreciation or

thankfulness, particularly when one has received kindness or help.

91. "succeeded in disinheriting"

means successfully taking away someone's inheritance or right to inherit something, often a
title, property, or wealth, usually due to a decision or action that the person has taken.

92. "at sundry times professed love"

means that someone has repeatedly or on different occasions declared or shown their love for
another person.

93. "make away with her sister by poison"

suggests the idea of causing harm or death to one's sister, with "make away with" meaning
to kill or eliminate someone. The mention of "poison" implies that the method of causing
harm or death is through the use of poison, which is often associated with treachery or deceit.

94. "admiring the justice displayed in their deserved deaths"

means that someone is acknowledging or appreciating the sense of justice that has been
served by the deaths of certain individuals, whom they believe got what they deserved.

95. "melancholy fate of the young and virtuous daughter"

refers to the tragic and sorrowful outcome of a young woman who is characterized by virtue,
goodness, and moral integrity.
96. "it is an awful truth"
The phrase "it is an awful truth" means that the truth being acknowledged is disturbing,
painful, or unsettling.

97. "heaven overtook this innocent lady to itself in her young years"

means that the young woman, who is portrayed as innocent and virtuous, died prematurely
and was taken by God (or "heaven") at an early age.

98. "an illustrious example of filial duty"

refers to someone who sets a remarkable or outstanding example of the love, respect, and
responsibility a child should show toward their parents. "Filial duty" pertains to the
obligations and devotion that a son or daughter has toward their parent, particularly in terms
of care, loyalty, and honoring them.

99. "between rage and grief for his old master's vexations, soon followed him to the
grave"
a servant or loyal follower, was so deeply affected by a combination of anger (rage) and
sorrow (grief) caused by the suffering or troubles (vexations) of their beloved master that
they quickly died or were overcome by illness, stress, or despair.

100. "how the judgment of heaven overtook"

refers to the idea that divine justice was brought down upon someone, often in a way that was
inevitable or unavoidable.

101. "whose treasons were discovered"

refers to someone whose acts of betrayal, deceit, or disloyalty (treasons) were revealed or
exposed.
102. "slain in a single combat with his brother"
refers to someone being killed in a one-on-one battle or fight (single combat) against their
sibling.