Vol. 08 · Shakespeare ·King Lear, Act IV.vi ·Lear
"Every inch a king."
Not quite the line.
How it's usually quoted
"Every inch a king."
What Shakespeare actually wrote
"Ay, every inch a king." Lear — King Lear, Act IV.vi
Why it matters
Lear is mad on the heath, crowning himself with weeds. The "Ay" is the self-congratulation; dropping it lets the line land as dignity rather than delusion.
More from the canon.
Browse the rest of the shelf, or try a cold reading.