Brief Questions in King Lear

Brief Questions in King Lear

• What is the full title of King Lear?

Ans: The full title is The Tragedy of King Lear.

• Who are the good characters in King Lear?

Ans: Lear, Cordelia, Kent, Edgar, Albany, Gloucester, and the Fool.

• Why does King Lear divide his kingdom?

Ans: He is old and wants to retire from ruling.

• How does Goneril show her love for Lear?

Ans: She flatters him with false and flowery words.

• How does Regan express her love for Lear?

Ans: She praises Lear and claims she loves only him.

• How does Lear react to Cordelia’s love?

Ans: Lear becomes angry and disowns Cordelia.

• Why is Kent banished by the King?

Ans: Kent defends Cordelia and opposes Lear’s harsh act.

• How does Edmund plot against Edgar?

Ans: He writes a fake letter to deceive Gloucester.

• Who is Oswald?

Ans: Oswald is Goneril’s steward and a selfish servant.

• Why is Goneril tired of Lear?

Ans: She dislikes Lear’s pride and his noisy knights.

• Why does Lear strike Oswald?

Ans: Because Oswald is rude and disrespectful to him.

• How does the Fool criticize Lear?

Ans: He mocks Lear for giving power to false daughters.

• How does Goneril insult her father?

Ans: She scolds him and reduces his number of knights.

• Why does Lear leave Regan’s castle in the storm?

Ans: Regan humiliates him, so he leaves in anger.

• How does Lear face the storm?

Ans: He shouts at the storm and endures its fury.

• Who persuades Lear to enter the hovel?

Ans: Kent convinces Lear to take shelter inside.

• How is Cornwall killed?

Ans: A servant wounds him while defending Gloucester.

• When does Gloucester realize Edgar is innocent?

Ans: After being blinded, he learns Edmund betrayed him.

• How is Lear awakened by Cordelia?

Ans: Cordelia kisses him gently and speaks softly to him.

• What does Lear take Cordelia for?

Ans: He thinks Cordelia is a heavenly spirit.

• How is Cordelia killed?

Ans: She is hanged secretly in prison by Edmund’s order.

• Why is Albany angry with Edmund?

Ans: Edmund refuses to hand over Lear and Cordelia.

• Why does Regan die?

Ans: Goneril poisons her out of jealousy.

• What causes Lear’s death?

Ans: Lear dies of grief after Cordelia’s death.

• How is King Lear transformed as a man?

Ans: His suffering changes him from proud to humble.

• What does the tragedy of King Lear show?

Ans: It shows love’s victory over hatred and evil.

• What was Edmund’s plan against Edgar?

Ans: He planned to cheat Edgar and take his property.

• How does Lear curse Goneril?

Ans: He wishes her to be barren and childless.

• Why does the King of France marry Cordelia?

Ans: He loves her honesty and noble nature.

• Why is Kent put in the stocks?

Ans: For insulting Oswald under Cornwall’s command.

• How does Lear treat Cordelia in prison?

Ans: He comforts her and dreams of peace together.

• Who said, “I am more sinned against than sinning”?

Ans: King Lear said this about his sufferings.

• Who was Cordelia’s husband?

Ans: The King of France was her husband.

• Why does Goneril commit suicide?

Ans: She kills herself after Regan’s death and guilt.

• Who were Cordelia’s suitors?

Ans: The Duke of Burgundy and the King of France.

• When and where does Lear meet Cordelia again?

Ans: In the French camp before the final battle.

• Who is the bastard son of Gloucester?

Ans: Edmund is Gloucester’s illegitimate son.

• How does Lear curse Goneril?

Ans: He wishes her no children or only painful ones.

• What does the line “Ripeness is all” mean?

Ans: It means patience and readiness bring peace in life.

• What is Cordelia’s answer about her love?

Ans: She loves her father as a daughter should—no more, no less.

• Why does Edgar pretend to be a beggar?

Ans: To hide and save himself from arrest.