Madness In King Lear

Question 0

Where is madness first introduced in the play and how?

Answer 0

In the introductory scene when Lear presents his whimsical love test to his daughters.

Question 1

What is madness introduced through in the play king Lear?

Answer 1

Through characters , ironies , ideologies and certain events that take place within the story.

Question 2

Cordelia shows madness in the first scene how does she do this ?

Answer 2

Cordelia refuses to participate in her fathers whimsical love test.

Question 3

What act with madness does Lear put upon Cordelia?

Answer 3

Lear disowns Cordelia for not participating he also disowns Kent for standing up for Cordelia.

Question 4

What are the quotes in the 1st paragraph in the madness essay?

Answer 4

I cannot heave my heart into my mouth -Cordelia
And as a stranger to my heart and me - Lear
Reverse thy doom this hideous rashness - Kent

Question 5

What is Goneril and Regans first act of madness?

Answer 5

They refuse Lear out of their castles and strip him of his Knights and servants. This act is scandalous . They treat him with utter disgust. deceiving behaviour. callous and wicked girls. Psychotic and mad

Question 6

Goneril and Regans second moment of madness?

Answer 6

When they are deciding Gloucester punishment suggestions are hanging him instantly and it ends up that they pluck out his eyes. Deranged behaviour

Question 7

Quotes of second paragraph?

Answer 7

I pray you father being weak seem so

Hang him instantly , pluck out his eyes.

Question 8

What is the most prominent madness in the text of the play?

Answer 8

This comes from the fool

Question 9

Describe the fool

Answer 9

Lear’s own stand up comedian - the only man Lear allows to criticise him. A joker. Kings servant.

Question 10

What is the fools role in the play?

Answer 10

To entertain the Knights and Lear.
Comforts Lear in the storm
Assists Lear in gaining wisdom and humility
Discussed sensitive subjects with Lear through humour
Lears window to wisdom

Question 11

Why did Lear need the fool?

Answer 11

Lear needs the fool because he can discuss things with him and he listens to the fool. Lear needed this reversal in roles to develop as a character

Question 12

Quotes in paragraph 3

Answer 12

Give me an egg nuncle and I’ll give three crowns
Does thou call me fool boy?
All thy other titles thou hast given away that thou wast born with.
I am better than thou art now I am a fool thou art nothing

Question 13

Madness is seen woven into the sun plot explain

Answer 13

Edmund :Gloucesters illegitimate son power to turn Gloucester against his legitimate son Edgar
Gloucesters mad rash reaction to a forged letter
Madness of Edgar fleeing the kingdom
This scene highlights the madness that ran through the families of the main plot and subplot

Question 14

Quotes in sub plot paragraph

Answer 14

1Edmund the base shall top the legitimate. I grow I prosper now gods stand up for bastards
2Give me the letter sir.. I’ll apprehend him abdominal villain
3Brother I advise you the best go armed pray you away
4Be think yourself wherein you may have offended
5Well then legitimate Edgar I must have your land our fathers love is to the bastard Edmund.

Question 15

Explain lears biggest gesture of madness

Answer 15

The storm scene
He had experienced so much emotional torment that he began to go mad
He has berserk fantasies
The fool makes Lear even more mad with his quirky outbursts
Lear created a mock trial scene dealing with his callous daughters describing them as she foxes
An important scene Lear realised that he has done wrong and sinned.

Question 16

Quotes related to lears mad storm scene

Answer 16

1 O fool I shall go mad
2 First let me talk with this philosopher what is the cause of this thunder
3 I am a man more sinned against than sinning
4 O let me not be mad sweet heaven
5 Now you she foxes .. Are there any cause of nature that makes these hard hearts
6 I have one part in my heart that’s sorry yet for thee

Question 17

Explain Kent’s madness

Answer 17

Kent’s decision to create a fictional character for himself to become so he can still serve Lear. Kent stays with Lear even though he has just banished him rashly.
Kent performs a deluded act he commits suicide so he can serve his master in heaven.

Question 18

Quotes of Kent’s madness

Answer 18

1 do not come between the dragon and his wrath
2 he faints my lord , my Lord !
3 I have a journey shortly to go my master calls me I must not say no

Question 19

explain Edgar’s madness

Answer 19

Edgar’s foolishness to believe his brother is madness considering he had no proof
the way he fled the kingdom without even talking to his father
The way he created a character for himself poor Tom
The madness of Edgar hiding his identity from his father when he was together with him most of the time
Edgar helped him through his troubled but the madness is that he still chose not to tell him

Question 20

Quotes of Edgar’s madness

Answer 20

1 how now brother Edmund? What serious contemplation are you in?
2 give me thy arm poor Tom shall lead you
3 Why then your other senses grow imperfect by your eyes anguish

Question 21

Explain Cordelias madness

Answer 21

The way she chose not to participate in lears whimsical love test when as his daughter she knew his rash and fiery temper yet she chose to stand against him when as far as we know as readers he treated her with nothing but love.

Question 22

Cordelias quotes

Answer 22

1 I love your majesty according to my bond no more no less

2 Here I disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity and property of blood