Characters
This character serves as a dramatic foil to Lear by remaining steadfast despite mistreatment.
Who is Kent?
King Lear decides to do this at the start of the play.
What is divide his kingdom among his three daughters?
Act 1: Speaker is Lear
“Nothing will come of nothing.”
What is Lear telling Cordelia that if she doesn’t flatter him, she gets no inheritance?
The storm in the play is an example of:
Pathetic Fallacy (but foreshadowing is also ok)
Shakespeare tragedies often because the royal order, or __________, is broken.
Hiearchy
This character is described as “more sinned against than sinning” later in the play, but his own rashness sets his downfall in motion in Act 1.
Goneril and Regan say they love Lear, but their true feelings are revealed when they do this.
What is mistreat him after gaining power?
(any similar answer is also ok)
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”
Act 1.4: Speaker is Lear
What is Lear expressing his anger at Goneril’s ingratitude?
This literary device is used when Goneril and Regan exaggerate their love for Lear.
Hyperbole
A character who acts dumb on purpose, but is wise (or uses a disguise to hide their intelligence) is known as:
An Old Tom
Despite appearing silent for much of the act, this character’s lack of speech is a defining moment in the play.
Who is Cordelia?
Edmund's plan to discredit Edgar involves this forged item and this item on Edgar's person.
What is a forged letter and a sword?
“Thou, Nature, art my goddess.”
Act 1.3: Speaker is Edmund
What is Edmund rejecting societal norms and embracing a more ruthless, self-serving philosophy?
“Nothing will come of nothing” is an example of this literary term, like Schrödinger's Cat.
Paradox
The language used in Shakespeare is often referred to as:
Old English
The false letter Edmund writes plays on this character’s greatest flaw—gullibility.
Who is Gloucester?
Kent disguises himself under this name to continue serving Lear.
Who is Caius?
“Come not between the dragon and his wrath.”
Act 1.1, Speaker is Lear
What is Lear warning Kent not to interfere in his decision to banish Cordelia?
The Fool’s witty remarks are an example of:
Irony
Every major tragedy must also have this type of character.
Tragic Hero
These two characters parallel each other in terms of betrayal—one by children, the other by subjects.
Who are Lear and Gloucester?
This is the consequence of Lear's decision to exile Cordelia and divide his kingdom.
What is loss of power?
“Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide.”
Act 1.2, Speaker is Gloucester
What is Gloucester foreshadowing betrayal and chaos as familial bonds are broken?
The start of Act 1.2 involves this Shakespearean term, thanks to Edmund.
Sololiquy
Without question, in King Lear, our tragic hero would be no one other than:
King Lear himself