Nothing can be made out of nothing.
– William Shakespeare
King Lear, Act 1, Scene 4. This is Lear’s reply, when the Fool asks if he can make no use of nothing. Lear repeats almost the same words that he spoke to Cordelia before her banishment, "Nothing will come of nothing." Here Shakespeare is exploring the idea of nihilism, as Lear is increasingly left with nothing, after he gave away his kingdom, banished his favorite daughter, and his two remaining daughters now actively plotting against him.