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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. What happened to the gift Fontanelle was given as a child?

2. Who maniacally encourages the torture of Warrington?

3. Why does Lear insist his enemies hate him?

4. Which character says, "Politics is the higher form of justice"?

5. What does the Gravedigger's Boy tell Lear that the soldiers are doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the symbolic relevance of the cradle and the wall. Compare and contrast the two.

2. Why does Lear tell Cornelia she must destroy the wall? What does he say regarding pity?

3. How does Lear react to seeing Fontanelle's autopsy? How does this change his point of view?

4. How does the Ghost die? How does Lear react?

5. How does the power shift in Act 2, Scene 5? What actions indicate this?

6. Why has Lear been spared in the prison? How does he escape?

7. What is the significance of the location of Act 3, Scene 3?

8. What do Thomas and Ben reveal to Lear that they plan to do in Act 3, Scene 2? Why?

9. What is the argument between Lear and the Gravedigger's Wife? How do these characters feel about each other?

10. What does Fontanelle say to Lear in the prison cell? What are her action and objective?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the irony that is evident in Lear. What different forms of irony does Bond employ in the play? Define the terms in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What are the characteristics of the traditional tragic hero? What characteristics does Lear embody that make him the tragic hero of the play?

Essay Topic 3

Define the terms "action" and "objective." What are the overarching actions and objectives of Bodice and Fontanelle? How do these actions connect to the plot of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample