King Lear Act V Quotes

I never shall endure her Regan about Goneril – shows that whereas in the beginning they were working together, Edmund has caused a rift in their relationship, she no longer can stand Goneril
In honoured love Edmund – how he tells Regan he loves Goneril, again telling his version of the truth, adopts the language of nobility as he does when convincing people he’s respectable
Most just and heavy causes make oppose Albany – the king and Cordelia have justifiable reasons to oppose us, shows firmly which side he’s on and that he is a good character
Which of them shall I take? Both? One? Or neither? Edmund about Goneril and Regan, shows everything is on his terms, he does not have genuine love but lust for them, he is cocky and self assured
Let’s away to prison. We two alone will sing like birds i’ the cage…and laugh at gilded butterflies Lear – he wants to stay and live a quiet life in prison with Cordelia, and laugh at the same fancy courtiers he used to surround himself with – shows how much he’s changed, he just wants rest and now he has private ambition with his daughter rather than the public, proud ambitions he had at the start
Men must endure Edgar – tells his father that people must go through bad things and it makes them better – links to context, willingness to suffer was a christian virtue in Jacobean times
We are not the first who, with best meaning, have incurr’d the worst Cordelia – she sees the dangerous position she and Lear are in but echoes Edgar and Gloucester in being stoical about it, must endure suffering etc
False to thy gods, thy brother and thy father…A most toad-spotted traitor Edgar to Edmund, revealing Edmund’s true nature, uses animal imagery
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to plague us Edgar to Edmund – says that through the sin of begetting Edmund the gods created him evil as a revenge on Gloucester, seems a bit harsh, through our weaknesses the gods create our punishments
You look as you had something more to say Edmund to Edgar – asks him to speak on, suggests that he hasn’t actually turned good at the end, as he has an opportunity to save Lear and Cordelia in time and doesn’t
Some good I mean to do in spite of mine own nature Edmund – seems to repent, says he will go against his nature and do what’s right
Run, run, O, run! Albany tells the servant to run and get Lear and Cordelia, but clearly doesn’t think it through, is rash – shows that he’s perhaps not cut out to be king
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, and thou no breath at all? Lear – asks why base animals should live whilst Cordelia is dead, injustice of nature
The weight of this sad time we must obey, speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most; we that are young shall never see so much, nor live so long. Edgar – last four lines of the play
The gods defend her! Albany – prays that the heavens protect Cordelia seconds before she is brought in dead. Idea of divine justice is effed.