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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. Instead of referring to the King by his title, what does Oswald call the king?

2. Where does Act 1, Scene 5 take place?

3. Who delivers King Lear's letter to his other daughter, while the King is at Goneril's?

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

5. Who does Kent ask to "turn thy wheel"?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the Duke of Cornwall and Regan commiserate with Gloucester about his traitorous son, what do they suggest was the influence on Edgar?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is ironic about Gloucester bemoaning that he was betrayed by his son?

8. What does the Fool compare Lear too?

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

10. What is the point of Act 2, Scene 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does nature play in King Lear? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 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 563 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample