Characters
These two characters were banished by King Lear for telling the truth
Cordelia and Kent
How does King Lear begin?
It starts with the love test between King Lear, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia
Cordelia refuses to lie and is then banished
How does Cornwall die?
He is torturing Gloucester and a servant stabs him trying to make him stop. He dies off stage because of his injuries
Britain
Who were the two suitors that offered to marry Cordelia?
King of France and Burgundy
What does Edmund do that makes Gloucester turn on Edgar?
Fakes a letter from Edgar to Edmund discussing his intent to betray their father for his power
Injures himself and says that Edgar is the one that did it, causing Edgar to have to disguise himself
Who dies by Edgar's hand?
Oswald and Edmund
-Oswald tries to kill Gloucester and Edgar defends him, intercepting letters that contained the plot against Albany
-Edmund and Edgar duel because Edmund is accused of treason; Edmund is mortally wounded and Edgar reveals his true identity
What type of play is King Lear?
A tragedy
Who is Goneril's husband, who shows good character throughout the play?
Albany
He betrays his father, telling Cornwall, Regan, and Goneril that he was privy to knowledge about the French invasion of Britain. In turn, they appoint him as Earl of Gloucester and torture Gloucester, blinding him.
How do Regan and Goneril die?
-Regan is poisoned by Goneril
-Goneril feels guilty for her actions and commits suicide off stage
How many disguises did Edgar have throughout the play? Name/Describe them.
Poor Tom - mad beggar
Peasant - "rescues" Gloucester after his "fall" from "Dover Cliffs"
Knight/Soldier - fights for Albany against Edmund
Name the characters that were supportive of King Lear after he was betrayed by Goneril and Regan
How are King Lear and Cordelia reunited?
He is running around Britain, mad, and is found by Cordelia's guards/attendants, who were looking for him after she came back to Britain with the French forces.
How do Gloucester and The Fool die?
-Gloucester's heart gives out upon Edgar revealing his true identity
-The Fool is hanged off stage
What is one symbol seen throughout King Lear?
Name the symbol and what it means.
Blindness/Madness:
Characters like Gloucester and Lear are blind to the truth of those around them, and are then punished later by physical blindness or madness
Disguise:
Characters like Regan, Goneril, and Edmund disguise their true intentions causing characters like Kent and Edgar to have to physically disguise themselves
Storms/Wind:
Represents Lear's descent into madness and the disorder throughout the kingdom because of the conflict between him, Regan, and Goneril
How many characters die in King Lear? Name the characters.
Cornwall, Oswald, Regan, Goneril, Gloucester, Cordelia, Edmund, The Fool, and King Lear
Who wins the battle between Britain and France? What does this victory lead to?
British forces win, which allows Edmund to carry out his plot against Cordelia and Lear, sending them to prison to have them executed but made to look like suicide
How do Lear and Cordelia die?
What is one theme seen throughout King Lear?
Name the theme and what it means.
Betrayal/Madness/Foolishness:
Lear and Gloucester run parallel to each other, believing in lies spun to them by Regan/Goneril and Edmund, turning their backs on those truly loyal to them (Cordelia/Kent and Edgar). They are then betrayed, resulting in madness/physical blindness that ultimately leads to their deaths.
Suffering:
This play is full of endless and almost needless suffering for most of the characters as a result of lies.
-Cordelia does not inflate her love for Lear; results in her banishment and death
-Gloucester falls for the lies Edmund tells him; results in him losing Edgar, being tortured/blinded, and dying
-Lear believes the lies that Goneril and Regan tell him causing him to banish Cordelia and Kent; He then goes mad from their betrayal, resulting in his death