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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. Who does Lear claim are his enemies?

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

3. Why does the Boy say his wife is upset?

4. Who stabs knitting needles into Warrington's ears?

5. What is the setting of Act 1, Scene 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Orderly say about his imprisonment to Lear in Act 2?

2. Why does Carpenter refuse to untie the prisoners once he has captured the soldiers in Act 2?

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

4. What is the significance of the image of Bodice and Fontanelle as children in Lear's cell?

5. Who is the wild man living in the woods? How does he know Lear?

6. How does Fontanelle feel about her husband? What does she say regarding him sexually?

7. Why has the Small Man come to find Lear? Where has he come from?

8. Describe how Lear is blinded in the prison scene. Why is he blinded?

9. What do Bodice and Fontanelle plan for Lear's future at the trial? How do they go about this plan?

10. How does Fontanelle react to being taken prisoner? What does she say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Bond uses Imagery in Lear to further illustrate his theme and characters. What are some examples from the play? Define the term "imagery" in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare Edward Bond's Lear and Shakespeare's Lear. Why did Bond choose to adapt and essentially rewrite elements of Shakespeare's play? What elements of action and character did he alter? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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