Act 1 Scene 4 key quotes

Question 1

“Lear’s shadow” -fool (1,4)

Answer 1

,, loss of identity, shadow of his former self, only Lear can tell himself who he is, inner turmoil/conflict adds to the external.

Question 2

O small fault how ugly didst thou in cordelia show” -Lear

Answer 2

Fault is the subject of the sentence, partially recognising his fault

Question 3

“milky gentleness’ - goneril to albany (1,4)

Answer 3

Shows gender stereotypes which are placed on men/women at the time, milk associated with women and purity and maternal instinct etc. she says this to albany in an attempt to criticise albany by calling him gentle as is an insult is

Question 4

Lears failure to recognise Caius as Kent

Answer 4

Lear does not recognise Kent as Caius: does not recognise kent on a symbolic and metaphorical level as well as a literal level. Failure to recognise disguised kent is a failure to recognise kent as a whole -TRAGIC- never realises kent and Cauis are the same person.

Question 5

Kent as fool?

Answer 5

one of the methods of comedy = incongruity. In many ways Kent is also a fool and makes jokes (jester) but also speaks truth to power, fulfilling all elements of a fool.