King Lear, ACT I - Scene II. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What does Edmund say he wants from Edgar in his opening soliloquy?

   • His brother's place at the King's court
   • Correct answer: His brother's land and inheritance
   • His brother's chance to marry Cordelia
   • His brother's command of Gloucester's men

   Edmund says directly, 'Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.'

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. How does Edmund first draw Gloucester's attention to the letter?

   • He leaves it open on a table for Gloucester
   • He reads part of it aloud as Gloucester enters
   • Correct answer: He hastily pockets it and says it is nothing
   • He sends a servant to deliver it to his father

   Edmund puts up the letter and claims it is 'Nothing, my lord,' which makes Gloucester insist on seeing it.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. According to the letter, what would Edmund gain if their father 'would sleep till I wak'd him'?

   • Correct answer: Half of their father's revenue for ever
   • A title and lands in the Duke of Albany's realm
   • Command of the castle and all its servants
   • The right to marry whomever he might choose

   The letter promises 'you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your brother.'

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. What opinion does Edmund claim he has often heard Edgar maintain?

   • That younger sons should be free to leave home and seek fortune
   • Correct answer: That a father should be as ward to the son once the son is grown
   • That the King was wrong to divide his kingdom among his daughters
   • That bastards ought to share equally in their father's estate

   Edmund says Edgar argues that 'the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue,' which Gloucester takes as proof.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Why does Gloucester say Kent's banishment is strange?

   • Kent had always been a close friend of France
   • Kent was the King's oldest relative and heir
   • Correct answer: Kent's only offence, as Gloucester sees it, was honesty
   • Kent had already promised to leave the court willingly

   Gloucester ends his speech: 'the noble and true-hearted Kent banish'd! his offence, honesty! 'Tis strange.'

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. What attitude does Edmund show toward the stars after Gloucester leaves?

   • He fears that the recent eclipses predict his own downfall
   • Correct answer: He scorns the habit of blaming the heavens for human vices
   • He believes his birth under Ursa Major made him lucky
   • He hopes the stars will soon turn in favor of his plans

   Edmund calls it 'the excellent foppery of the world' to blame the sun, moon and stars for our own behavior.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. What does Edmund's final soliloquy reveal about how he sees Gloucester and Edgar?

   • He regrets deceiving them but feels he has no other choice
   • He fears that one of them already suspects what he is doing
   • Correct answer: He thinks their trust and honesty make them easy to deceive
   • He plans to reveal the truth once he has secured his lands

   He says his practices 'ride easy' on Edgar's 'foolish honesty' and calls Gloucester credulous.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. Which of these events actually happen in Act 1, Scene 2?

   • Gloucester reads the letter aloud and recognizes what he believes is Edgar's handwriting.

     Happened

   • Edgar denies writing the letter when Gloucester confronts him with it.

     Didn't happen

   • Edmund offers to let Gloucester overhear a conversation between the brothers.

     Happened

   • Gloucester sends a messenger to tell the King about Edgar's treachery.

     Didn't happen

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these details are part of the scene?

   • Edmund pretends to be thinking about a prediction he read concerning the eclipses.

     Happened

   • Edgar says he spoke with his father for two hours the night before.

     Happened

   • Edmund gives Edgar a sword and tells him to flee the country.

     Didn't happen

   • Edgar agrees to meet his father at once to clear his name.

     Didn't happen

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'choler' mean in: 'Kent banish'd thus? and France in choler parted?'

    • Sadness
    • Correct answer: Anger
    • Haste
    • Secret

    Choler is an old word for anger; France left Lear's court angry after Cordelia was disowned.

    Read the passage
11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'auricular' mean in: 'by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction'?

    • Correct answer: Heard with one's own ears
    • Given in a written oath
    • Seen with one's own eyes
    • Sworn before a judge

    Auricular means relating to hearing; Edmund offers to let Gloucester hear the proof himself.

    Read the passage
12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'foppery' mean in: 'This is the excellent foppery of the world'?

    • Bravery
    • Cruelty
    • Wisdom
    • Correct answer: Foolishness

    Foppery means foolishness; Edmund mocks the folly of blaming the stars for human faults.

    Read the passage