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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Goneril thinks that Gloucester should suffer what punishment?

2. Who gives Edmund the office of Earl of Gloucester?

3. Edgar, in his disguise as Poor Tom, agrees to lead Gloucester to the cliffs at which place?

4. The doctor wants Lear to wake up and servants carry Lear into the doctor on what?

5. On the battlefield, Edgar sets Gloucester by a tree and tells him to pray for what?

Short Essay Questions

1. While Lear and his party are in the farmhouse, what action does Lear take that makes him appear to be suffering from madness?

2. When Goneril hears of Cornwall's death, what are her concerns?

3. How does Cornwall link the villainy in Edmund's family?

4. What does Edgar pray for while Lear is asleep in the farmhouse?

5. What plants the seeds of discord between Goneril and Regan?

6. How do Edmund's actions when turning his father in to Cornwall indicate that he is dishonest?

7. How does Edgar use his father's blindness to trick him?

8. The comments of the servants to Regan after Gloucester is blinded indicate what?

9. How is Lear able to recover from his madness?

10. How do Lear's and Gloucester's characters parallel each other?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several words that are repeated throughout King Lear. Choose two of the words from the list below and discuss what their use means to the play and the characters in the play.

-- nature

-- natural

-- nothing

-- bond

-- love

Essay Topic 2

In what ways does King Lear symbolize a good king or a bad king, or both? What qualities does he posses that a king should (or should not) possess? What actions does he take that reinforces your opinion? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

What character traits of King Lear appear in his daughters and how do these traits affect his relationships with his daughters? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 600 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample