Acts IV-V Visualizing the Play

Visualizing the Play IV-V

My goal with this assignment is to have you consider what has happened in the middle section of the play and put it all together. I want you to demonstrate that you understand what is happening and why some actions carry heavy consequences.
You are to make a visual that represents what has happened from IV i to V iii. You have several ways to do this:
- Make a comic book style illustration from the play. Feel free to use stick figures, but make sure we can tell whose who.
- Make a graphic organizer or flow chart that shows the action. You can organize it by:

Act IV i
 An old man leads Gloucester to the countryside where Edgar agrees to walk him to Dover.

Act IV ii
 Goneril and Albany fight. Goneril becomes interested in Edmund.

Act IV iii
 Kent and Gentlemen talk about Cordelia.

Act IV iv
 Cordelia describes her crazy father and talks of the upcoming war.

Act IV v
 Oswald refuses to give Regan the letter from Goneril to Edmund. She commissions the murder of Gloucester.

Act IV vi
 Edgar takes Gloucester to Dover where Gloucester thinks he survives his suicide attempt.
 Edgar kills Oswald and get the letter from Goneril to Edmund.

Act IV vii
 Cordelia visits with Lear and he begins to regain his sanity.

Act V i
 Regan and Goneril both want Edmund. They begin to fight.
 Edgar delivers Goneril’s letter to Albany.

Act V ii
The British troops win so Lear and Cordelia are taken prisoner.
Act V iii
 Goneril and Regan die because of Edmund.
 Edgar and Edmund fight.
 Edmund dies.
 Lear and Cordelia die.
 Kent reveals himself to Lear, takes the dead family away to then kill himself.

Acts IV -V Interactive Journal

Interactive Journal

The interactive active journal is designed to help you understand and respond to the context of the play. You have four types of journal entries to choose from. Use the format that best fits the scene:

#1 Event Response Analysis
Event - Describe the event that happened in the story
Response - How do you feel about the particular event
Analysis - Why do you think this event occurred?
Why is it important to the storyline?
Why did Shakespeare include it?

#2 Observation Reflection Prediction
Observation - What observations have you made from this section?
Reflection - Why do you think this observation is significant?
Prediction - What do you think will happen next?

#3 Action Analysis Result
Action - Describe the action that was taken by a character that
surprised, shocked or impressed you?
Analysis - Why do you think this action occurred? How is it important
is it to the storyline? Why is it included in the play?
Result - What is the result of this action? How does it influence the plot or impact the other characters? Why?

#4 Problem Reflection Solution
Problem - What is the problem that the character(s) is/are facing?
Reflection - Why is this problem significant to the storyline? Why?
Solution - How do you think the character(s) will solve this problem?

Act IV i
 An old man leads Gloucester to the countryside where Edgar agrees to walk him to Dover.

Act IV ii
 Goneril and Albany fight. Goneril becomes interested in Edmund.

Act IV iii
 Kent and Gentlemen talk about Cordelia.

Act IV iv
 Cordelia describes her crazy father and talks of the upcoming war.

Act IV v
 Oswald refuses to give Regan the letter from Goneril to Edmund. She commissions the murder of Gloucester.

Act IV vi
 Edgar takes Gloucester to Dover where Gloucester thinks he survives his suicide attempt.
 Edgar kills Oswald and get the letter from Goneril to Edmund.

Act IV vii
 Cordelia visits with Lear and he begins to regain his sanity.

Act V i
 Regan and Goneril both want Edmund. They begin to fight.
 Edgar delivers Goneril’s letter to Albany.

Act V ii
The British troops win so Lear and Cordelia are taken prisoner.
Act V iii
 Goneril and Regan die because of Edmund.
 Edgar and Edmund fight.
 Edmund dies.
 Lear and Cordelia die.
 Kent reveals himself to Lear, takes the dead family away to then kill himself.

King Lear Act V Scene iii Study Guide

King Lear Act V Scene iii
Study Guide

1. In the beginning of this scene Lear does not mind going to prison with Cordelia. Look at Vii 7-18 and summarize how Lear thinks it will be.

2. Explain what is meant when Regan says to Edmund, “ Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.” Viii 81-82.

3. Why does Albany challenge Edmund?

4. Goneril has poisoned Regan. Why?

5. How do you think Edmund feels when he finds that his brother, Edgar, is the challenger?

6. Look at Edgar’s speeches on V iii(“By nursing them…”) 182-199, as well as V iii (“This would have seemed…”) 205-219 and summarize them.

Gloucester –

Kent –

7. Why does Edmund have a change of heart concerning Lear and Cordelia? What does he mean to do?

8. Why do you think Lear finally recognizes Kent in the end?

- How do you think Lear feels when he finds out that Kent was with him almost the entire time?

9. Please fill in the chart below:

How does their life end? What was the person feeling when s/he died? Why?

Regan

Gloucester

Goneril

Edmund

Cordelia

Lear

Kent

10. Make a prediction about what will happen next –

For Edgar –

Explain why you think that –

For Albany –

King Lear Act V Scene i-ii Study Guide

King Lear Act V Scene i-ii


1. Why is Regan so insistent that Goneril leave with her instead of staying behind with Edmund?

2. In Edmund’s soliloquy (Vi 55-69) he speaks of many things. Take a look at it and explain what he intends to do about:

Goneril and Regan –

Albany –

Lear and Cordelia –

3. What is Edgar’s function in this scene?

V ii

4. What is Edgar’s function in this scene?

5. At the end of the battle, who has won?

King Lear Act IV Scene vii Study Guide

King Lear Act IV Scene vii
Study Guide

1. As Lear sleeps, Cordelia speaks to him and says, “…Mine enemy’s dog, though he had bit me, should have stood that night against my fire…” IV vii 36-39.

What does she mean when she says this?

Why does she say it?

2. Lear says,
Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray weep not.
If you have poison for me, I will drink it.
I know you do not love me; for your sisters
have, as I do remember, done me wrong.
You have some cause, they have not. IV vii

Explain how Lear is feeling now…

About himself…

About Goneril and Regan…

About Cordelia…

3. By the end of this scene there is a change that has come about in Lear. Explain what that change is and how or why you think it occurred.

4. According to the discussion in this scene, who is in charge of Cornwall’s army?

King Lear Act IV Scene vi

King Lear Act IV Scene vi
Study Guide

1. In the early part of this scene Gloucester asks Tom to take him to the edge of a cliff where he intends to commit suicide. Tom pretends to do so. Gloucester gives Tom a money purse and sends him away. Thinking he is alone, Gloucester says to himself, “If Edgar Live, O bless him.” Consider this part of the scene and…

… explain what you think Tom feels when he hears this.


… explain why Tom does not reveal himself as Edgar to Gloucester now.

2. Tom/Edgar tells Gloucester that he has survived a great fall, that the gods must have saved him. Why would Tom/Edgar say this?

3. In his madness Lear says to Gloucester, “… for Gloucester’s bastard son was kinder to his father than my daughters got ‘tween the lawful sheets.” IV vi 115.

Is this statement actually true or false?

What is your reasoning for your answer?

4. Where are the British and French armies now?

5. As Edgar leads his father to safety Oswald shows up. Please summarize what happens between Edgar, Gloucester and Oswald.

6. Do you think Edgar did the right thing or was he wrong? Explain your reasons for your answer.

7. What important news does Edgar find in the letter?

King Lear Act IV Scene v

King Lear Act IV Scene v
Study Guide

1. Why does Regan think it was a mistake to let Gloucester live?

• What does Regan think Edmund will do about this?

2. What does Regan want with Edmund?

3. Why is Regan jealous of Goneril?

4. Towards the end of this scene Regan tells Oswald that the person who murders Gloucester will receive a reward. How do you think Oswald will react? What will he do with this idea?

King Lear Act IV Scene iii-iv

King Lear Act IV Scene iii-iv
Study Guide

1. The Gentlman reports to Kent about Cordelia’s emotional state. He says that she is feeling two very different emotions. List and explain the reasons for those emotions here. (To properly answer this question you will need to think about what you know from the other parts of the play.)

Emotion –

Reason –

Emotion –

Reason -

2. In this scene we find out that Cordelia, now Queen of France, is in Dover with the French army. Her husband has been called back to France to deal with an important matter. This offers a subtle hint that Cordelia could be in danger. Predict what danger that could be.

3. King Lear’s symbolic crown of “rank fumiter and furrow weeds…” informs Cordelia of the condition of her father. How does Cordelia respond to this? Copy two sets of lines that show her emotional state in relation to her father and explain what they mean:

First set of lines: “

Meaning:

Second set of lines:

Meaning:

King Lear Act IV Scene ii

King Lear Act IV Scene ii
Study Guide

1. How does Goneril feel about Albany, her husband, now? Copy down two sets of lines from this part of the play that shows this attitude:

*

*

*

2. How does Goneril feel about Edmund now? Copy down two sets of lines from this part of the play that shows this attitude:

*

*

*

3. How does Albany feel about Goneril now? Copy down two sets of lines from this part of the play that shows this attitude:

*

*

* (What final near threat does he make?)
4. Why is Goneril concerned about Regan says?

5. How does Albany feel about Gloucester? (Answer this question once you have finished reading the scene.

King Lear Act IV Scene i Study Guide

King Lear Act IV Scene i
Study Guide

1. Explain the metaphorical meaning when Gloucester says, “I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw.”

2. Edgar is very obviously distressed upon seeing the condition of his father, yet he does not reveal himself as Edgar. Instead he continues to use the Poor O’Tom of Bedlam guise. What purpose does this serve?

• Why doe he not reveal himself?

• Speculate on what would happen if Edgar revealed his true identity to his father.

Acts II - III King Lear - Considering the Bigger Picture

King Lear Acts II-III Considering the Bigger Picture.

Please do ONE of the following: The interactive journal for all scenes in Act II-III OR a visualization for the same:

Visualizing the Play
My goal with this assignment is to have you consider what has happened in the middle section of the play and put it all together. I want you to demonstrate that you understand what is happening and why some actions carry heavy consequences.
You are to make a visual that represents what has happened from II to III. You have several ways to do this:
- Make a comic book style illustration from the play. Feel free to use stick figures, but make sure we can tell whose who.
- Make a graphic organizer or flow chart that shows the action. You can organize it by:
Situation
Act II Scene i
 Rumor of conflict between Albany & Cornwall
 Edmund convinces everyone that Edgar want to kill Gloucester

Act II Scene ii
 Oswald & Kent fight, Kent ends up in the stocks

Act II Scene iii
 Edgar becomes Tom O’Bedlam

Act II Scene iv
 Lear finds Kent in the stocks, fights with daughters, the sisters tag-team Lear
 Lear gets thrown out into the storm

Act III Scene i
 Kent learn of the possible war between Albany and Cornwall, as well as the impending attack from French forces

Act III Scene ii
 Lear sinks into madness further during the storm

Act III Scene iii
 Gloucester trusts Edmund with important news from a secret, dangerous letter.

Act III Scene iv
 Tom O Bedlam encounters Lear, Fool and Kent.
 As Lear sinks farther into madness, Gloucester offers aid

Act III Scene v
 Edmund tells Cornwall that Gloucester is being treasonous

Act III Scene vi
 Lear has gone completely mad. He puts Goneril and Regan on trial
 Gloucester urges Kent to move the King to Dover

Act III Scene vii
 Cornwall catches Gloucester. Cornwall and Regan pluck out his eyes
 Servants loyal to Gloucester attack. One is mortally wounded, the other helps Gloucester escape
 Gloucester comes to an important realization concerning Edgar


Interactive Journal
The interactive active journal is designed to help you understand and respond to the context of the play. You have four types of journal entries to choose from. Use the format that best fits the scene:

#1 Event Response Analysis
Event - Describe the event that happened in the story
Response - How do you feel about the particular event
Analysis - Why do you think this event occurred?
Why is it important to the storyline?
Why did Shakespeare include it?

#2 Observation Reflection Prediction
Observation - What observations have you made from this section?
Reflection - Why do you think this observation is significant?
Prediction - What do you think will happen next?

#3 Action Analysis Result
Action - Describe the action that was taken by a character that
surprised, shocked or impressed you?
Analysis - Why do you think this action occurred? How is it important
is it to the storyline? Why is it included in the play?
Result - What is the result of this action? How does it influence the plot
or impact the other characters? Why?

#4 Problem Reflection Solution
Problem - What is the problem that the character(s) is/are facing?
Reflection - Why is this problem significant to the storyline? Why?
Solution - How do you think the character(s) will solve this problem?

Act II Scene i
 Rumor of conflict between Albany & Cornwall
 Edmund convinces everyone that Edgar want to kill Gloucester

Act II Scene ii
 Oswald & Kent fight, Kent ends up in the stocks

Act II Scene iii
 Edgar becomes Tom O’Bedlam

Act II Scene iv
 Lear finds Kent in the stocks, fights with daughters, the sisters tag-team Lear
 Lear gets thrown out into the storm

Act III Scene i
 Kent learn of the possible war between Albany and Cornwall, as well as the impending attack from French forces

Act III Scene ii
 Lear sinks into madness further during the storm

Act III Scene iii
 Gloucester trusts Edmund with important news from a secret, dangerous letter.

Act III Scene iv
 Tom O Bedlam encounters Lear, Fool and Kent.
 As Lear sinks farther into madness, Gloucester offers aid

Act III Scene v
 Edmund tells Cornwall that Gloucester is being treasonous

Act III Scene vi
 Lear has gone completely mad. He puts Goneril and Regan on trial
 Gloucester urges Kent to move the King to Dover

Act III Scene vii
 Cornwall catches Gloucester. Cornwall and Regan pluck out his eyes
 Servants loyal to Gloucester attack. One is mortally wounded, the other helps Gloucester escape
 Gloucester comes to an important realization concerning Edgar

King Lear III iv

King Lear III iv

4. Explain how this scene brings the plot (Lear, Fool, etc.) and the subplot (Gloucester) together.

5. Lear is becoming increasingly mad. List and explain two examples that support this idea.

6. “…In the past Lear has assumed that respectability went hand-in-hand with appearance. Now, however, Lear see that though circumstances may strip a human of all outward show of strength, the basic humanity remains and is worthy of respect and care” - Stacy Mulder, PhD Prof. of English

Explain what this quote means. (Hint: consider Goneril, Regan, Fool and Tom)

King Lear: Act III Scene iii

King Lear: Act III Scene iii
Study Guide

1. Summarize the important information from the letter that Gloucester is reading.




2. What mistake does Gloucester make?




3. What does Edmund mean when he says, “the younger rise when the old doth fall” (III iii 26) ?

King Lear: Act III Scene ii Study Guide

Study Guide

1. At the beginning of this scene Lear starts to rage and the fool interjects with a plea. What is it that the fool wants Lear to do?

 Is this a reasonable request or is it hypocritical?

2. Explain what the storm has to do with Goneril and Reagan, according to Lear’s view at this time.

******************
At the beginning of the play Lear felt like he knew and understood everything about the world. It was a safe and predictable place he was in control of. He is finding that he is tragically wrong. He feels like the world is falling around him and that he is open for attack from every angle. This develops into a situation of dramatic irony. Lyman Baker of Kansas State University offers and excellent definition:

Dramatic irony is a relationship of contrast between a character's limited understanding of his or her situation in some particular moment of the unfolding action and what the audience, at the same instant, understands the character's situation actually to be.
******************

3. Explain why this section of the play is an excellent example of dramatic irony. Be very specific with your explanation or examples.

4. How has Lear’s consideration of the Fool changed from the beginning of the play to how it is in this scene.

 What kind of shift in Lear does this signify?

5. Lear states, “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” III ii 59-60
Write a paragraph that states whether you think this a true statement or you think he is wrong. Be sure to back up your response with two specific examples from the play thus far.

Act III Scene i King Lear Study Guide

King Lear: Act III Scene i
Study Guide

**************
This act is a significant and fast moving one. Act III scene i is designed to inform the audience of the political unrest and to set up the next important situation. This is a difficult act to stage with its fierce storm. However, the Elizabethan audience would have understood that it stood not only for the physical storm raging outside, but also the one raging in Lear. They would have seen Lear as a “the little world” meaning he is a microcosm that represents and/or reflects what is going on in the macrocosm of the universe. When it is wrong with Lear, so is it wrong with the universe.
****************

This short scene gives us a lot of information designed to help us understand what is happening at large. Explain the what is going on with/is important concerning:

Albany & Cornwall

France

King Lear

Cordelia

Act II Scene iv King Lear Study Guide

King Lear: Act II Scene iv
Study Guide

Please use the chart below to translate the dialogue into modern English. You can go segment by segment, not line by line.

CORNWALL Hail to your grace!
I am glad to see your highness.
KING LEAR Regan, I think you are; I know what reason
I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's w
omb,
Sepulchring an adultress.
Beloved Regan, Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath
tied Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here:
Points to his heart I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt
not believe With how depraved a quality--O Regan!
REGAN I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope.
You less know how to value her desert
Than she to scant her duty.
KING LEAR Say, how is that?
REGAN I cannot think my sister in the least
Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance
She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,
'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end,
As clears her from all blame.

KING LEAR My curses on her!
REGAN O, sir, you are old.
Nature in you stands on the very verge
Of her confine: you should be ruled and led
By some discretion, that discerns your state
Better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you,
That to our sister you do make return;
Say you have wrong'd her, sir.

KING LEAR Ask her forgiveness?
Do you but mark how this becomes the house:
'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; Kneeling
Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg
REGAN Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks:
Return you to my sister.

KING LEAR [Rising] Never, Regan:
She hath abated me of half my train;
Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue,
Most serpent-like, upon the very heart:
All the stored vengeances of heaven fall
On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones,
You taking airs, with lameness!
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.'
CORNWALL Fie, sir, fie!

KING LEAR You nimble lightnings, dart your
blinding flames Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty,
You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun,
To fall and blast her pride!

REGAN O the blest gods! so will you wish on me,
When the rash mood is on.

KING LEAR No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse:
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give
Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine
Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And in conclusion to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in: thou better know'st
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude;
Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.

REGAN Good sir, to the purpose.
I know't, my sister's: this approves her letter,
That she would soon be here.
KING LEAR
This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.
Out, varlet, from my sight!

KING LEAR Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope
Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here? O heavens,
Enter GONERIL
If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part!
To GONERIL
Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?
O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?
GONERIL Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended?
All's not offence that indiscretion finds
And dotage terms so.
KING LEAR O sides, you are too tough;
Will you yet hold?
REGAN I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.
If, till the expiration of your month,
You will return and sojourn with my sister,
Dismissing half your train, come then to me:
I am now from home, and out of that provision
Which shall be needful for your entertainment.
KING LEAR Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd?
No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the enmity o' the air;
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,--
Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her?
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took
Our youngest born, I could as well be brought
To knee his throne, and, squire-like; pension beg
To keep base life afoot. Return with her?
Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter
To this detested groom. Pointing at OSWALD
GONERIL At your choice, sir.


KING LEAR I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad:
I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell:
We'll no more meet, no more see one another:
But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter;
Or rather a disease that's in my flesh,
Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil,
A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle,
In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee;
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it:
I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot,
Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove:
Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure:
I can be patient; I can stay with Regan,
I and my hundred knights.
REGAN Not altogether so:
I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided
For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister;
For those that mingle reason with your passion
Must be content to think you old, and so--
But she knows what she does.
KING LEAR Is this well spoken?
REGAN I dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers?
Is it not well? What should you need of more?
Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger
Speak 'gainst so great a number? How, in one house,
Should many people, under two commands,
Hold amity? 'Tis hard; almost impossible.
GONERIL Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance
From those that she calls servants or from mine?
REGAN Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack you,
We could control them. If you will come to me,--
For now I spy a danger,--I entreat you
To bring but five and twenty: to no more
Will I give place or notice.
KING LEAR I gave you all--
REGAN And in good time you gave it.
KING LEAR Made you my guardians, my depositaries;
But kept a reservation to be follow'd
With such a number. What, must I come to you
With five and twenty, Regan? said you so?

REGAN And speak't again, my lord; no more with me.
KING LEAR Those wicked creatures yet do look
well-favour'd, When others are more wicked:
not being the worst Stands in some rank of praise.
To GONERIL I'll go with thee:Thy fifty yet
doth double five and twenty, And thou art
twice her love.
GONERIL Hear me, my lord;
What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a house where twice so many
Have a command to tend you?


REGAN What need one?




KING LEAR O, reason not the need: our basest
beggars Are in the poorest thing superfluous:
Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady;
If only to go warm were gorgeous,
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st,
Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need,--
You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age; wretched in both!
If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts
Against their father, fool me not so much
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,
And let not women's weapons, water-drops,
Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags,
I will have such revenges on you both,
That all the world shall--I will do such things,--
What they are, yet I know not: but they shall be
The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep
No, I'll not weep:
I have full cause of weeping; but this heart
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws,
Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!

Exeunt KING LEAR, GLOUCESTER, KENT, and Fool
Storm and tempest
CORNWALL Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm.
REGAN This house is little: the old man and his people
Cannot be well bestow'd.
GONERIL Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest,
And must needs taste his folly.
REGAN For his particular, I'll receive him gladly,
But not one follower.

1. At this point, where does that leave King Lear?

• Describe his mental state.

2. Where are Goneril, Regan and Cornwall?

* Was the treatment by the sisters and demands of King Lear reasonable? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

Act II Scene iii King Lear Study Guide

King Lear: Act II Scene iii
Study Guide

Edgar I nothing am (II iii 21)

One scholar states that, “evil shows its face in the sun while good is forced to hide.”
Explain what this quote means in relation to this play.

What is a Tom O’ Bedlam?

Explain why Edgar would disguise himself as a Tom O’ Bedlam.

Draw a picture of what he would look like in this scene.

Act II Scene ii King Lear Study Guide

King Lear: Act II Scene ii
Study Guide

1. What is Kent’s opinion of Oswald? Is it justified?

2. Who starts the fight?

3. Why are they fighting?

4. Who stops the fight?

5. What is Kent’s attitude towards Edmund and Cornwall?

6. It was a deep insult to put Lear’s servant in the stocks since that is a punishment usually reserved for the lowest and worst crimes. Do you think he deserves such punishment? If so, why? If not, what punishment would be more appropriate?

7. Regan has a knack for making bad things worse. How does she do that in the scene?

• Based on what we know about Regan so far, what would you expect from her once her father, King Lear, arrives at her castle?

Act II Scene i King Lear Study Guide

King Lear: Act II Scene i
Study Guide

1. Explain importance of the brief conversation between Edmund and Edgar at the beginning of this scene.


2. What does Edmund accuse Edgar of planning?

• How does this change Gloucester’s view of Edmund?

3. Regan and Cornwall believe Edmund. They think Edgar is one of King Lear’s unruly knights sent to kill Gloucester. Why do they think Edgar wants to kill his father?


4. How has all of this impacted or change Regan’s relationship with Edmund?


The Elizabethan audiences would have recognized Edmund to be a Machiavellian villain as such villains were very popular during this time period. They see the Machiavellian villain as a person:
• Without moral scruples;
• Totally immersed in a struggle to win power and influence;
• Who is smart and clear-headed. He uses muddle-headedness of the weak around him to achieve his goals.
• Who ignores laws;
• Who has total disregard for civil or moral authority figures;
• Who gains enjoyment and pleasure from manipulating others;
• Is often a very handsome, charming man.

On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph that uses specific evidence from the play to support or disprove the idea that Edmund is a classic Machiavellian villain.

Act V Scene v King Lear

King Lear: Act I Scene v
Study Questions

In this scene Lear is leaving Goneril’s castle and readying himself to go to Regan’s castle. He sends Kent with a letter to inform her that he will be arriving soon. This leaves Lear alone with the Fool. Lear is distracted and his thinking is splintered as we can see since he changes topics often. It is a hint that he is beginning to go mad.

1. Explain the importance of the following quote from this scene:

Lear “I did her wrong” (I v 24)

Lear “ To take ‘t again perforce – Monsster ingratitude!” (I v 38)

2. Take a closer look at the fools jokes. What is he actually saying or meaning when he says…

“Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands I’ th’ middle on’s face?”

“I can tell why a snail has a house.”