William Shakespeare Quotes

King Lear, Act 3, Scene 7. There is a thin line between civilization and savagery especially where people in power are concerned. That line is well and truly crossed here by the sadistic Duke of Cornwall. In this horrific torture scene Cornwall forces out Gloucester’s second eye, making him completely blind. To call Gloucester "vile" as he is doing this is highly ironic on the part of Cornwall, in view of his own despicable and wicked actions. The fuller quote here with stage direction is: "Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! [Forcing out Gloucester’s other eye.] Where is thy lustre now?" It is one of the most chilling lines in the whole of the Shakespeare canon of 39 dramatic works.