King Lear, ACT II - Scene II. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Whose servant is Oswald when Kent meets him at Gloucester's castle?

   • Regan's, sent with news from Cornwall
   • Correct answer: Goneril's, on his mistress's business
   • Gloucester's, keeper of the castle gate
   • Edmund's, carrying a message to court

   Oswald is Goneril's steward; Regan calls the two men the messengers from her sister and the King.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What earlier event does Kent remind Oswald of before he draws his sword?

   • Oswald refused him a place to sleep at the inn
   • Oswald informed on him to Goneril's husband
   • Correct answer: He beat Oswald and tripped him before the King
   • Oswald stole the letters he carried for Lear

   Kent asks if it is only two days since he beat Oswald and tripped up his heels before the King.

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3. 3

   Question 3. When Cornwall asks what Oswald's fault is, what reason does Kent give?

   • Oswald has lied to the Duke about Lear
   • Oswald insulted Cordelia in public
   • Oswald tried to steal Kent's horse
   • Correct answer: He simply does not like Oswald's face

   Kent says only, "His countenance likes me not," which gives Cornwall no real grievance to weigh.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why does Kent suddenly switch to an elaborate, flattering style when speaking to Cornwall?

   • Correct answer: To mock Cornwall's dislike of plain speech
   • To win a lighter sentence from the Duke
   • To hide his true identity from Gloucester
   • To show he was trained as a court poet

   After Cornwall sneers at plainness, Kent says he will "go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much," parodying courtly flattery.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What argument does Kent make against being put in the stocks?

   • He is too old and frail to survive a whole night out in the cold
   • Correct answer: Stocking the King's messenger shows malice toward the King
   • He is a nobleman and cannot be punished by a duke
   • Oswald drew his sword first and deserves the stocks

   Kent says he serves the King, and that stocking his messenger shows "too bold malice" against Lear's grace and person.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What reason does Regan give for punishing Kent even more harshly?

   • Kent once spoke against her during Lear's love test
   • Her husband's honour requires a public example made of the offender
   • Correct answer: Her sister would resent her gentleman's abuse going unpunished
   • Lear himself had ordered that Kent be disciplined

   Regan says Goneril would take it much worse to have her gentleman abused and assaulted for following her affairs.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Kent's reading of Cordelia's letter suggest about the coming action?

   • Correct answer: Cordelia has learned of Kent's disguise and means to help
   • Cordelia plans to return to Britain as Regan's ally
   • Cordelia blames Kent for her own banishment from court
   • Cordelia has forgiven her sisters and now urges Kent to obey them

   The letter shows Cordelia knows of his "obscured course" and will seek "to give losses their remedies."

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8. 8

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

   • Kent draws his sword and beats Oswald, who cries for help.

     Happened

   • Oswald draws his own sword and wounds Kent in the arm.

     Didn't happen

   • Edmund enters with his rapier drawn and parts the two men.

     Happened

   • Kent reveals to Gloucester that he is really the banished Earl of Kent.

     Didn't happen

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these things happen after Cornwall calls for the stocks?

   • Gloucester begs the Duke not to stock the King's messenger.

     Happened

   • Cornwall agrees to release Kent at noon as a favor to Gloucester.

     Didn't happen

   • Gloucester stays behind and offers to plead for Kent.

     Happened

   • Regan frees Kent before dawn so he can return to Lear.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'antipathy' mean as used in: 'No contraries hold more antipathy / Than I and such a knave'?

    • Correct answer: A strong natural dislike
    • A shared sense of duty
    • A quiet feeling of pity
    • A habit of polite speech

    Antipathy is deep dislike; Kent says no opposites hate each other more than he and Oswald.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'varlet' mean as used in: 'What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me!'?

    • A young knight in training
    • Correct answer: A rascal or low servant
    • A messenger of the court
    • A soldier who has deserted

    A varlet is a worthless servant or rascal; Kent hurls it at Oswald as an insult.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'saw' mean as used in: 'Good King, that must approve the common saw'?

    • A tool used for cutting wood
    • A view seen from a hilltop
    • Correct answer: A well-known proverb or saying
    • A law passed by the King

    A saw is an old saying; Kent fears Lear will prove true the proverb about going from heaven's blessing into the warm sun, from better to worse.

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