King Lear - Structure

Question 1

Act 1 - Scene 1:

Answer 1

Lear divests himself of the cares of state using a ‘love-test’

Cordelia and Kent are banished for displeasing him

The Kingdom is divided between Gonerill and Regan

Question 2

Act 1 - Scene 2:

Answer 2

Edmond makes his father Gloucester believe that Edgar seeks his life

Question 3

Act 1 - Scene 3:

Answer 3

Gonerill complains to her steward Oswald about Lear and his followers

Question 4

Act 1 - Scene 4:

Answer 4

Lear and Gonerill clash

Lear leaves to stay with Regan

Question 5

Act 1 - Scene 5:

Answer 5

Lear sends a letter to Regan

He fears he is going mad

Question 6

Act 2 - Scene 1:

Answer 6

Edmond persuades Edgar to flee

Gloucester issues orders to have Edgar to be hunted down

Regan and Cornwall arrive at Gloucester’s castle

Question 7

Act 2 - Scene 2:

Answer 7

Kent quarrels with Oswald and challenges him to a fight

He is punished by Cornwall, who puts him in the stocks

Question 8

Act 2 - Scene 3:

Answer 8

Edgar disguises himself as the mad beggar, Poor Tom

Question 9

Act 2 - Scene 4:

Answer 9

Kent is found in the stocks by Lear

Lear tries to complain to Regan about Gonerill

The sisters reduce his train

Angry and distressed, Lear rushes out into the storm

Question 10

Act 3 - Scene 1:

Answer 10

Out on the heath, Kent and the Gentleman search for Lear

Question 11

Act 3 - Scene 2:

Answer 11

Increasingly mad, Lear rants in the storms

The Fool and Kent try to soothe him

Question 12

Act 3 - Scene 3:

Answer 12

Gloucester tells Edmond he intends to help Lear

Edmond decides to betray his father to Cornwall

Question 13

Act 3 - Scene 4:

Answer 13

Lear continues to rant on the heath

Poor Tom is found in a hovel

Question 14

Act 3 - Scene 5:

Answer 14

Edmond betrays Gloucester

Question 15

Act 3 - Scene 6:

Answer 15

Inside the hovel, Lear conducts a trial of Gonerill and Regan

Gloucester brings a coach to transport Lear to safety at Dover

Question 16

Act 3 - Scene 7:

Answer 16

Cornwall and Regan out their horrible revenge on Gloucester

Question 17

Act 4 - Scene 1:

Answer 17

Edgar comes across his blind, suicidal father and starts to lead him to Dover

Question 18

Act 4 - Scene 2:

Answer 18

Gonerill and Edmond return to Gonerill’s residence

Albany accuses Gonerill of cruelty to her father. He also learns of the blinding of Gloucester

Question 19

Act 4 - Scene 3:

Answer 19

Kent and the Gentlemen speak of Cordelia, and how Lear is too ashamed to see her

Question 20

Act 4 - Scene 4:

Answer 20

Cordelia sends her soldiers to search for Lear, who is still wandering around outside

She expresses deep concern for her father

Question 21

Act 4 - Scene 5:

Answer 21

Regan interrogates Oswald about a letter he is carrying from Gonerill to Edmond

Question 22

Act 4 - Scene 6:

Answer 22

Gloucester tries to commit suicide at Dover

Lear and Gloucester meet for the last time

Edgar saves Gloucester’s life when Oswald threatens him

Question 23

Act 4 - Scene 7:

Answer 23

Cordelia and Lear are reunited and reconciled

Question 24

Act 5 - Scene 1:

Answer 24

Regan questions Edmond about his feelings for Gonerill

Edgar gives Albany the letter disclosing Edmond and Gonerill’s plot against his life

Edmond says he will show Lear and Cordelia no mercy after the battle

Question 25

Act 5 - Scene 2:

Answer 25

The French forces are defeated in battle

Edgar leads Gloucester to safety for the last time

Question 26

Act 5 - Scene 3:

Answer 26

Lear and Cordelia are sent away to prison. Edmond sends a death warrant after them.

Albany accuses Gonerill and Edmond of treason and Edgar appears to challenge Edmund

Edmund is fatally wounded in the fight. Gonerill poisons Regan, and stabs herself

Lear carries in the dead body of Cordelia and dies, mourning her