Commonplace Collection Fall 2016

Collection of quotes, ideas, and other thoughts from a semester of studying Shakespeare.

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We are not the first Who with best meaning have incurred the worst.

Cordelia 5.3.4

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Be-monster not thy feature.

Albany 4.2.64a

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Because I would not see thy cruel nails Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister In his anointed flesh stick bearish fangs.

Gloucester 3.7.55-7

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How light and portable my pain seems now, When that which makes me bend makes the King bow, He childed as I fathered.

Edgar 3.6.105-7

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Who's there, besides foul weather?

Kent 3.1.1

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I would not think my sister in the least Would fail her obligation.

Regan 2.2.330-1

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I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, Sepulchring an adulteress.

Lear 2.2.320-1a

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O, how this mother wells up toward my heart! Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow, Thy element's below. Where is this daughter?

Lear 2.2.246-8

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Cornwall: You beastly knave, know you no reverence?

Kent: Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege.

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Cornwall: Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father

A child-like office.

Edmund: It was my duty, sir.

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How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell; Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

Albany 1.4.341-2

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Albany: Well, you may fear too far.

Goneril: Safer than trust too far.

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Hear, Nature, hear, dear goddess, hear: Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend To make this creature fruitful. Into her womb convey sterility, Dry up in her the organs of increase, And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honour her. If she must teem, Create her child of spleen, that it may live And be a thwart disnatured torment to her. Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth, With accent tears fret channels in her cheeks, Turn all her  mother's pains and benefits To laughter and contempt, that she may feel How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child.

Lear 1.4.267-81

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Lear: Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear.

Does Lear walk thus, speak thus? Where are his eyes?

Either his notion weakens, or his discerning are

lethargied--Ha! sleeping or waking? Sure 'tis not

so. Who is it that can tell me who I am?

Fool: Lear's shadow.

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Lear: When were you won't to be so full of songs, sirrah?

Fool: I have used it, nuncle, e'er since thou mad'st thy daughters thy mothers; [...]

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My father compounded with my mother under the dragon's tail and my nativity was under Ursa Major, so that if follows I am rough and lecherous.

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Cordelia: The jewels of our father, with washed eyes

Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are,

And like a sister am loath to call

Your faults as they are named. Love well our father.

To your professed bosoms I commit him,

But yet, alas, stood I within his grace

I would prefer him to a better place.

So farewell to you both.

Regan: Prescribe not us our duty.

Goneril: Let your study

Be to content your lord, who hath received you

At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,

And well are worth the want that you have wanted.

Cordelia: Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides,

Who covert faults at last with shame derides.

Well may you prosper.