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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. Lear refuses to leave the storm and go to safety without whom?

2. What did Goneril's gentleman do that causes King Lear to strike him?

3. Kent comes to King Lear in disguise and offers his services in what position?

4. When King Lear announces that he is retiring, what does he want to do with his lands?

5. What does Edmund have that is supposedly from his brother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is King Lear dividing up his kingdom?

2. What actions of the King does Gloucester fret about in Act I, Scene II?

3. What are some of the steps Edgar takes to disguise himself?

4. How does Edmund incite his father into a rage against Edgar?

5. The storm is distracting the King from what?

6. When Kent meets with the gentleman on the heath, what does Kent give the gentleman and what is it supposed to do?

7. Goneril complains to Oswald about her father's behavior for what reason?

8. Before Lear and his retinue depart for Regan's house, what does the Fool tell Lear?

9. The Fools says who will whip him and for what?

10. Lear feels like he has lost his identity at Goneril's house for what reason?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who are the villains in the play, and why are they villains? What characteristics do they posses and actions do they take to show they are villains? Use the text to provide support for your answers.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 537 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample