View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. While they are walking to the hovel, the Fool utters a prophecy that says what?

2. Where does Act I, Scene 3 take place?

3. While Lear is in the storm, who is his only companion?

4. Where does Act 2, Scene 1 take place?

5. What event caused the Fool to pine away?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is King Lear going to divide up his kingdom?

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

3. Why are Goneril and Regan awarded large parts of the kingdom?

4. When Lear arrives at Regan's castle, what is one of the actions Regan takes to show that she is selfish?

5. How are Kent's actions in relation to Oswald similar to Cordelia's actions in relation to Lear?

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

7. What is ironic about Goneril's behavior towards her father, while he is at her house?

8. What information does Kent want the gentleman to take to Dover?

9. What request, by Goneril, drives the King to leave her house?

10. How does Oswald deny the King's authority in Goneril's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 4, Scene 6 we are told that there is reason in madness. Using examples from the play, discuss the truth or falsehood of this statement.

Essay Topic 2

What is the tone of the play's ending? Is the ending hopeful, dramatic, pessimistic, mysterious or something else? Why might Shakespeare have chosen to end the play in this manner? Please support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

How does King Lear portray service? Who serves? What sort of authority and relationships are related to service in the play? Does service, as used in the play, belong to family or to the state? Why? Please support your answer with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample