King Lear, ACT I - Scene III. quiz
From King Lear by William Shakespeare
King Lear Act 1, Scene 3 summary: Goneril complains of Lear's riotous knights and orders Oswald to treat her father with weary negligence.
11 questions · about 12 minutes
Questions and answers
-
Question 1. What news does Oswald confirm at the opening of Act 1, Scene 3?
- Lear has refused to pay his knights' wages
- Correct answer: Lear struck a gentleman for chiding his Fool
- Lear has left the palace to visit his other daughter
- Lear has quarreled with the Duke of Albany at dinner
Goneril asks whether her father struck her gentleman for chiding his Fool, and Oswald answers that he did.
Read the passage -
Question 2. What excuse does Goneril tell Oswald to give when Lear returns?
- That she has gone out riding
- That she is busy with her husband
- Correct answer: That she is sick and cannot see him
- That she is writing urgent letters
Goneril says she will not speak with Lear after his hunt and tells Oswald, Say I am sick.
Read the passage -
Question 3. What sound tells Oswald that Lear is approaching?
- Correct answer: Hunting horns from within
- A trumpet fanfare at the gate
- Knights shouting in the hall
- The Fool singing a loud song
The stage direction calls for horns within, and Oswald says he hears the king coming back from hunting.
Read the passage -
Question 4. How does Goneril want her servants to treat Lear from now on?
- With extra courtesy, to calm his temper
- With strict silence whenever he speaks
- With open insults in front of his knights
- Correct answer: With slack service and weary negligence
She tells Oswald to come slack of former services and to put on whatever weary negligence he pleases, and she will answer for it.
Read the passage -
Question 5. Why does Goneril want the servants' neglect to bring matters to a head?
- She hopes Lear will apologize to her gentleman
- Correct answer: She wants an excuse to confront her father openly
- She plans to have Lear arrested for striking a servant
- She expects Albany to send the knights back to court
She says she would breed occasions so that she may speak, meaning she wants a pretext for a confrontation.
Read the passage -
Question 6. What does Goneril mean when she calls Lear an idle old man who would still manage the authorities he has given away?
- He is too lazy to go hunting any longer
- He wants his kingdom returned to him by law
- Correct answer: He still expects power he no longer holds
- He has stopped caring about his household
Goneril believes Lear's authority ended when he divided the kingdom, yet he still behaves as though he rules.
Read the passage -
Question 7. What does Goneril plan to do at the end of the scene?
- Correct answer: Write at once to her sister to hold the same course
- Send Oswald to warn the Duke of Albany about Lear
- Order the knights to leave the palace by morning
- Ask the Fool to make peace between her and her father
She says she will write straight to her sister to hold her very course, then orders dinner prepared.
Read the passage -
Question 8. Which of these events actually happen in Act 1, Scene 3?
-
Goneril complains that Lear's knights grow riotous.
Happened
-
Lear himself enters and argues with Goneril.
Didn't happen
-
Goneril tells Oswald to give Lear's knights colder looks.
Happened
-
Oswald refuses to follow his mistress's orders.
Didn't happen
-
Goneril says her sister is of one mind with her.
Happened
-
Goneril sends Oswald to fetch the Duke of Albany.
Didn't happen
-
-
Question 9. What does 'upbraids' mean as used in: 'His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us On every trifle'?
- Praises warmly
- Ignores coldly
- Mocks quietly
- Correct answer: Scolds sharply
To upbraid is to scold or criticize sharply; Goneril says Lear finds fault with her household over every small matter.
Read the passage -
Question 10. What does 'negligence' mean as used in: 'Put on what weary negligence you please, You and your fellows'?
- Polite formality
- Correct answer: Careless inattention
- Nervous hurry
- Silent resentment
Negligence is a failure to give proper care; Goneril wants the servants to serve Lear carelessly on purpose.
Read the passage -
Question 11. What does 'checks' mean as used in: 'Old fools are babes again, and must be us'd With checks as flatteries'?
- Correct answer: Rebukes that restrain
- Gifts given to please
- Written promises of pay
- Careful counting of debts
Checks are rebukes or restraints; Goneril says old men must be corrected, not flattered, when they misbehave.
Read the passage
Play it live with your class.
Put the code on the screen and students join on whatever they have.