king lear Flashcards
Q: Who says, ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!’?
“A: King Lear.”
Q: In Act 1, Scene 1, how does Lear test his daughters?
“A: By asking each to declare how much they love him.”
Q: What theme does the quote ‘Nothing will come of nothing’ relate to?
“A: The theme of loyalty and honesty.”
Q: Who says, ‘I am a man more sinned against than sinning’?
“A: King Lear.”
Q: What happens to Gloucester in Act 3, Scene 7?
“A: His eyes are gouged out by Cornwall.”
Q: Who is the loyal character who remains disguised throughout the play?
“A: Kent.”
Q: Which character represents the theme of justice by standing up to Lear’s actions?
“A: The Fool.”
Q: Who betrays their father Gloucester by helping the villainous Edmund?
“A: Edgar.”
Q: What theme does ‘The weight of this sad time we must obey; Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say’ explore?
“A: Honesty and the importance of authentic communication.”
Q: In Act 1, Scene 1, what does Cordelia refuse to do that angers Lear?
“A: Exaggerate her love for him.”
Q: What does the storm in Act 3 symbolize?
“A: Lear’s inner turmoil and madness.”
Q: Who says, ‘Thou, Nature, art my goddess’ and what does it reveal?
“A: Edmund; it reveals his rejection of traditional values.”
Q: What are some key themes in King Lear?
“A: Justice
Q: Which character is associated with the theme of blindness?
“A: Gloucester
Q: Who says, ‘The wheel is come full circle’?
“A: Edmund.”
Q: What technique is used when Lear says, ‘I am a very foolish fond old man’?
“A: Self-awareness and humility.”
Q: How does Goneril show her deceitful nature in Act 1?
“A: By flattering Lear insincerely.”
Q: What role does the Fool play in the play?
“A: He acts as Lear’s conscience and provides insight.”
Q: Who says, ‘As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport’?
“A: Gloucester.”
Q: Which theme is highlighted by Lear’s descent into madness?
“A: The theme of human frailty and vulnerability.”
Q: What is Edmund’s motivation for betraying his family?
“A: His resentment at being illegitimate.”
Q: What is significant about the ending of King Lear?
“A: It emphasizes the theme of justice
Q: Who kills King Lear’s loyal servant, Gloucester?
“A: Cornwall.”
Q: Who says, ‘I love your majesty according to my bond; no more nor less’?
“A: Cordelia.”
Q: How does Lear react to Cordelia’s honesty?
“A: He disowns her
Q: What theme does the motif of ‘nothing’ represent in King Lear?
“A: The theme of truth and loyalty.”
Q: What is Edmund’s fate at the end of the play?
“A: He is killed in a duel by Edgar.”
Q: Who says, ‘When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools’?
“A: King Lear.”
Q: What technique is used in Lear’s madness during the storm scene?
“A: Symbolism
Q: What does Cordelia’s death symbolize?
“A: The tragedy and injustice in the world of the play.”
Q: How does the theme of appearance vs. reality manifest in King Lear?
“A: Through characters like Goneril and Regan
Q: How does the theme of loyalty contrast between Cordelia and her sisters?
“A: Cordelia is genuine
Q: Who is banished by Lear for honesty?
“A: Kent and Cordelia.”
Q: What theme does the Gloucester subplot emphasize?
“A: The parallels between sight and insight.”
Q: What literary technique is used with the character of the Fool?
“A: Irony; he is wiser than Lear despite being a fool.”
Q: How does Edgar disguise himself to survive?
“A: As ‘Poor Tom’
Q: What lesson does Lear learn by the end of the play?
“A: Humility and the limits of power.”
Q: Why is the play’s ending tragic?
“A: Both Lear and Cordelia die
Q: Who says, ‘The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to plague us’?
“A: Edgar.”
Q: What technique does Shakespeare use to contrast Lear and Gloucester’s arcs?
“A: Parallelism
Q: Why does Kent return to serve Lear in disguise?
“A: Out of loyalty and dedication.”
Q: What theme does the Fool represent?
“A: Wisdom in folly and loyalty.”
Q: What does Lear’s ‘O reason not the need!’ speech address?
“A: Human desire and dignity.”
Q: What are Goneril and Regan’s motives for betraying Lear?
“A: Ambition and desire for power.”
Q: Why is Cordelia’s character important to the theme of redemption?
“A: Her forgiveness offers a chance for Lear’s redemption.”
Q: Who brings news of France’s invasion?
“A: Gloucester.”
Q: What technique does Shakespeare use to portray Lear’s loss of power?
“A: Irony and reversal of fortune.”
Q: Who says, ‘So young, and so untender’?
“A: King Lear to Cordelia.”
Q: How does Lear’s treatment of Kent reflect the theme of authority?
“A: Lear misuses authority by exiling loyal followers.”
Q: What theme does the quote ‘I grow; I prosper: Now, gods, stand up for bastards!’ explore?
“A: Ambition and social status
Q: Who blinds Gloucester?
“A: Cornwall and Regan.”
Q: How does Regan’s character represent cruelty?
“A: She encourages Cornwall to blind Gloucester.”
Q: What technique is used in ‘Howl, howl, howl!’?
“A: Repetition and emotional intensity
Q: How does Kent’s loyalty contrast with other characters?
“A: He stays faithful to Lear
Q: What technique is used in the play’s depiction of nature?
“A: Symbolism
Q: What is significant about Lear’s abdication of power?
“A: It foreshadows his downfall and loss of authority.”
Q: Who is the most treacherous character in King Lear?
“A: Edmund.”
Q: How does King Lear portray the consequences of hubris?
“A: Lear’s pride leads to his tragic downfall.”
Q: What is the significance of the play’s ending?
“A: It suggests a bleak view of justice and fate.”
Q: How does Edgar’s patience contrast with Edmund’s ambition?
“A: Edgar is honorable
Q: Who says, ‘Pray you, undo this button’?
“A: King Lear
Q: How does Shakespeare use irony in Lear’s downfall?
“A: Lear loses his authority just as he learns to see truly.”
Q: What is the play’s stance on justice?
“A: Justice is uncertain and often delayed.”
Q: How does King Lear reflect the Elizabethan belief in the divine order?
“A: Disorder in family and kingdom causes chaos.”
Q: How is blindness a motif in the play?
“A: Physical and metaphorical blindness represent a lack of insight.”
Q: How does King Lear explore the theme of identity?
“A: Lear’s loss of power forces him to confront his true self.”
Q: Who uses the disguise of Poor Tom?
“A: Edgar.”
Q: How does the Fool’s role add to the theme of wisdom?
“A: His honesty teaches Lear about his mistakes.”
Q: How does King Lear address loyalty?
“A: Through characters like Kent and Cordelia
Q: What does the quote ‘I am a very foolish fond old man’ reveal?
“A: Lear’s growing self-awareness.”
Q: Who brings Cordelia back to England?
“A: France
Q: How is justice portrayed as arbitrary?
“A: Even good characters like Cordelia face tragic ends.”
Q: What is the function of the Fool?
“A: To offer wisdom masked as foolishness.”
Q: How does Gloucester’s blinding reinforce his insight?
“A: He only ‘sees’ Edmund’s betrayal after being blinded.”
Q: How does King Lear address the theme of madness?
“A: Lear’s madness represents his emotional suffering and enlightenment.”
Q: How does the play end?
“A: With tragedy and death
Q: How does King Lear portray family relationships?
“A: As fraught with betrayal and complexity.”
Q: What does the storm symbolize?
“A: Lear’s inner turmoil and loss of control.”
Q: Who remains loyal to Lear despite his faults?
“A: Kent and the Fool.”
Q: How does Edmund manipulate his father Gloucester?
“A: By forging a letter to make Edgar seem treacherous.”
Q: How is Cordelia a symbol of purity and loyalty?
“A: She remains true to Lear
Q: How does the theme of appearance vs. reality manifest in the sisters?
“A: Goneril and Regan pretend to love Lear to gain power.”
Q: How does King Lear reflect on old age?
“A: Through Lear’s vulnerability and dependency on others.”
Q: How does betrayal lead to tragedy in the play?
“A: Betrayals by Goneril
