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

Act III Scene vii King Lear

King Lear: Act III Scene vii
Study Guide
Gloucester: “Good my friends consider you are my guests. Do me no foul play, friends”

1. We know from past actions that Cornwall and Regan can be cold hearted and cruel. What are at least two acts of cruelty they have performed up to this point in the play?

2. Gloucester and Cornwall hail from two very different generations. Gloucester is of the old regime where value is placed on respectful treatment and consideration. Cornwall subscribes to the “the means justifies the mean” school of thought. How does this show up in this scene?

***************************************************************************
Brutal Reality – The Blinding of Gloucester on the Stage:

When Shakespeare wrote this scene he broke with the convention of the time that had the violence happen off the stage. The audience would simply learn of it through a message or discussion of others on the stage or by seeing the aftermath of the event. Shakespeare wanted the audience to feel the raw savagery and brutality of Cornwall and Regan so he elected to show them blinding Gloucester by plucking his eyes out with their thumbs.

The thread of sight has been carried in a symbolic aspect through the entire play. Here, sight means intelligence, such as when Kent tells Lear, “See better, Lear.” Gloucester’s blinding leads him to a new level of understanding and insight concerning Edgar and Edmund. His realization comes in a blinding flash.
***************************************************************************
There are several cases where justices has been derailed and the treatment of someone is inappropriate for their behavior. Briefly mention them here:
Cordelia –

Edgar –

Gloucester –

Why does Cornwall pluck out Gloucester’s eyes?

Explain the realization Gloucester comes to concerning Edmund and Edgar.

Why does Regan kill the servant?

What predictions can you make concerning Regan and Cornwall?