King Lear Act 3 Quotes

Many thanks to Aoife and Drew for the great work they did on Act 3 quotes. It is much appreciated.

So it is time now to start commenting on one quote from each of the three acts detailed today. I will extend the deadline to Saturday 8pm. Choose a quote, write it in the comment box and outline the impact it has had on you. As always give some background details and significance too.

Act 3 Quotes

11 thoughts on “King Lear Act 3 Quotes”

  1. Cornwall
    The revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding
    this is ironic because he is telling edmund that he shouldnt have to witness his father being tortured even though edmund condemned his father in the first place by betraying his trust and showing cornwall the secret letter containing the plans about lear

  2. “My wits begin to turn”- Lear

    This quote had an impact on me because at this point, it can be seen that Lear is beginning to show consideration for others even though up until this point in the play, Lear has been self centered and had shown no care towards anyone else. Lear is now beginning to develop a social conscience.

  3. Act 1-“Edmund the base Shall top th’ legitimate”-Edmund
    Act 2-“Persuade me to murther of your lordship;”-Edmund
    Act 3-“My wits begin to turn”-Lear

  4. My wits begin to turn.

    Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart
    That’s sorry yet for thee.

    Lear> Fool

    This is Lear’s major turning point. He is showing kindness and consideration for the very first time. His heartbreak has lead him to realise that the world doesn’t revolve around him and that there are other people that has needs and wants. He shows compassion and social conscious which was rare for him until now.

  5. The quote in Act 1 that meant to me the most was ”Which of you shall we say doth love us most?” – Lear. I found the whole ”love test” scene very interesting and compelling.

    The quote in Act 2 that meant the most to me was ”Thou unpossessing bastard” – Edmund. I also found the quarrel between Edmund, Edgar and Gloucester very interesting and exciting.

    The quote in Act 3 that meant the most to me was ”Blow, winds crack your cheaks! Rage! Blow!” – Lear. I think that the storm scene amused the whole class and myself. It was interesting to see Lears crazy side.

  6. “Poor Fool and Knave, I have one part in my heart that’s sorry yet for thee ” – Lear to Kent and the Fool.
    With Regan demanding the doors be shut on Lear, the former king now wages against a tormenting tempest, with just the Fool and Kent to confide in. After lashing out against the storm, inviting it to do its very worst to him, Lear reaches a highly significant turning point that proves to be a big plots twist in the play. For once showing a seemingly selfless social conscience, Lear discloses to the Fool and Kent that, having felt his wits beginning to turn, he realises that a part of him feels sympathy for his two loyal comrades, not just himself.
    I like this quote as it is a huge turning point in the play. It is the first time we see Lear show signs of caring and compassion for anyone out side of himself, finally acknowledging the loyalty of the pair contending against the raging tempest with him. We see more of a social conscience from Lear, previously unseen, which I like due to its impact from here on in in the play.

  7. Though I die for it, as no less is threatened of me, the king, my old master, must be restored.
    Gloucester through this quote shows his undying loyalty to the king. Despite his obvious superstitions and other faults he is one of the only loyal characters in the play without his own agenda. I feel the timing if this quote is very precise, Shakespeare includes it when all of the other characters are attempting to overthrow the king and his supporters.

  8. Lear: ”Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart
    That’s sorry yet for thee.”

    The king is finally beginning to see beyond himself; for the first time he shows concern and compassion for others. Lear’s suffering is showing evidence of a developing social conscience, this marks a major turning point in his character.

  9. “Poor naked wretches wheresoe’er you are that bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, how shall your houseless heads…defend you from seasons such as these?”

    Speaker- Lear to Kent and poor people in general.
    When- Lear refuses to enter the hovel when kent tries to persuade him to enter it. He talks about the sufferings of beggars who are even more miserable than himself.

    This quote is significant as it marks the begining of Lears social devolopment. He is becoming more sensitive to the feelings of others. In my opinion, this quote stands out as it shows Lears madness take a turn for the better. By gaining personal experience of what poverty is really like, he realises that there are others a lot less fortunate than himself. It is evident that Lears situation is turning him into a better person.

  10. “Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!
    You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the (c)ocks!”

    Lear> Storm

    Lear is overpowered by his sense of human ingratitude and wants to see an end to humanity. He identifies the punishing fury of the storm with the cruelty of his two daughters, believing that they and nature are conspiring to destroy him.

    Lear has called for a flood that will submerge the church steeples and weathercocks. Also he asks for the elements to destroy him. Such is his conception of his own central importance he sees no point in the survival of mankind or nature after his death, that both must follow him to destruction.

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