King Lear – The Fool Quotes

“… e’er since thou mad’st thy daughters thy mothers. For when thou gav’st them the rod, and put’st down thine own breeches.” Act 1, Scene 4Lear has overturned the natural order of things by giving up the throne – given his daughters the power
“I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art nothing.” Act 1, Scene 4 Reminds Lear that he is now a figure without value
“Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gav’st thy golden one away.” Act 1, Scene 4Tries to make Lear see the error of his ways – Lear gave up all that he was
“Not i’th’ stocks, fool!” Act 2, Scene 4Acknowledges that Kent is a fool, but a good one (following Lear = morally right but practically wrong)
“here’s grace and a cod piece; that’s a wise man and a fool.” Act 3, Scene 2Who’s the fool and who’s the wise man?
“Lear’s shadow.” Act 1, Scene 4Lear is now just a shadow of the man he once was – the Fool is the only one who can tell him who he is