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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. Edgar is left alone at the farmhouse and hopes that the King will be able to do what?

2. Albany arrests who for treason?

3. Edgar tells Gloucester that the person who led Gloucester to the edge of the cliff looked like a what?

4. What does the doctor prescribe to help cure Lear's madness?

5. Edmund promises not to allow Albany to have mercy on whom after the battle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What warning does Regan ask Oswald to give to Goneril?

2. Although Lear does not want to see Cordelia, what is Cordelia's goal?

3. Goneril and Regan dismiss Albany's desire to not hurt the King and say that what matters?

4. Albany already sympathizes with the King. What action by Goneril is likely to make him turn completely against her?

5. What caused Lear's madness?

6. When Edgar sees that his father is blind, what does he offer to do?

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

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

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

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

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

In the play, King Lear goes mad and recovers. In what ways does King Lear contribute to his madness and recovery, and in what ways is the madness thrust upon him? Support your answer with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 557 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample