Darcy says of Elizabeth, within her hearing, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.” What does the speech reveal beyond his stated opinion?

Lear says, “I will do such things, / What they are yet I know not.” What does the unfinished threat reveal about him?

Iago says, “I am not what I am.” What does the line reveal about his character?

In The Importance of Being Earnest, Algernon says, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” What does the aphoristic speech reveal?

Lady Macbeth says, “Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t.” What does this speech reveal?

Hamlet says, “I must be cruel only to be kind.” What gap does the line expose?

In “Hills Like White Elephants,” the man says, “I don’t want you to do it if you don’t really want to.” What does the line let him do?

Asked why he serves Othello, Iago says, “In following him, I follow but myself.” What does the answer let him do?

Claudius says, “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below.” What gap does the line reveal?

In Great Expectations, Pip says Joe “had sanctified my home” yet feels “impatient of him.” What gap does this admission reveal?

Joe tells Pip, “You and me is not two figures to be together in London.” What does the diction and grammar convey alongside the words?

Polonius tells Laertes, “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” What does the balanced syntax convey?

In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins praises the “affability and condescension” Lady Catherine shows him. What does his register convey?

After Duncan’s murder, Macbeth says, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” What does the hyperbolic register convey?

Gertrude says, “Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.” Hamlet replies, “Mother, you have my father much offended.” What does the reply establish?

In Othello, Desdemona says, “I understand a fury in your words, / But not the words.” What does her reply establish about the relationship?

Refusing Darcy’s first proposal, Elizabeth says she might have felt some concern in refusing him “had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner.” What does her reply establish between them?

When Cordelia is asked to outdo her sisters’ speeches, she says, “Nothing, my lord.” What does the refusal reveal?

In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Jig says, “Would you please please please please please please please stop talking?” What does the repetition reveal?

After her “Nothing,” Cordelia tells Lear, “I love your majesty / According to my bond, no more nor less.” What does this speech reveal?