Act 1, Scene 2

Question 1

What is a key quote by Edmund that shows him questioning societal normalities and how is this of tragic significance?

Answer 1

‘With baseness, bastardy? Base Base’ - the voiced, plosive B sound creates a harsh feel towards the disrespect to people in society born outside of wedlock and the repetition of ‘base” creates a sense of determination among Edmund

Question 2

What is a key metaphor used by Edmund showing again his dissatisfaction of society?

Answer 2

‘They brand us’ - this shows the irreversible ownership that he s under and the separation between ‘they’ and ‘us’ show the separation from society between those of legitimacy and bastardy

Question 3

What is a key quote by Edmund to show his determination in the future and how is this of tragic significance?

Answer 3

‘Shall top the legitimate. I grow, I prosper’ - the array of statements and ‘I’ repetition show his determination to overcome Edgar and therefore make a name for himself as a bastard. This is of tragic significance as it shows the characterisation of Edmund as a villain due to his unidealised view of society

Question 4

What key quote by Gloucester foreshadows his tragic blindness, has a direct link to Lear in Act 1 scene 1 and how is it of tragic significance?

Answer 4

‘I shall not need spectacles’ - this clear theme of metaphorical blindness shows the issue with the social hierarchy of old people ruling

Question 5

What key quote by Edmund compares disease to the social customs/norms?

Answer 5

‘I stand in the plague of customs’

Question 6

What key quote in Edmund’s letter shows his dissatisfaction with the social hierarchy and what is its tragic significance?

Answer 6

‘Oppression of aged tyranny’ - links to Act 1 scene 1 where Lear makes harsh decisions

Question 7

What quote by Edmund directly shows his villainous intent and how is it portrayed?

Answer 7

‘My cue is villainous melancholy’ - this shows that Edmund is in control of the play, therefore playing into the role of the villain

Question 8

What key quote by Edmund shows the tragic significance of society due to it being over delicate?

Answer 8

‘The curiosity of nations deprive me’

Question 9

What quote by Gloucester shows his loss of emotional control after reading ‘Edgar’s’ speech and how is this of tragic significance?

Answer 9

‘O villain villain! His very opinion in the letter. Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain’ - tragic blindness