King Lear, ACT III - Scene II. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. In his opening speech, what does Lear ask the lightning to do?

   • Correct answer: Singe his white head
   • Burn down Gloucester's castle
   • Light his path across the heath
   • Strike the Duke of Cornwall dead

   Lear calls on the sulphurous fires to "Singe my white head," inviting the storm to punish him rather than asking it to strike his enemies.

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2. 2

   Question 2. According to the Fool, what is better than "this rain water out o' door"?

   • A beggar's bed of straw in a barn
   • Correct answer: Court holy water in a dry house
   • A soldier's tent on the open field
   • A cup of sack by a warm fire

   "Court holy water" means flattery. The Fool is saying it would be better to flatter the daughters indoors than to stand out in the rain.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Why does Lear say he does not "tax" the elements with unkindness?

   • He believes the gods sent the storm to punish his daughters
   • He thinks the storm will soon pass and leave him in peace
   • Correct answer: He never gave them his kingdom or called them his children
   • He knows the weather is too powerful for any king to blame

   The elements owe him "no subscription," so unlike Goneril and Regan they cannot be guilty of ingratitude.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why does Lear go on to call the storm's forces "servile ministers"?

   • He thinks the gods sent them to serve as his royal guard
   • He believes they obey Gloucester instead of their true king
   • He sees them as mindless slaves that cannot choose where to strike
   • Correct answer: He thinks they have joined his two daughters in attacking him

   Lear accuses the elements of joining "two pernicious daughters" in their battle against his old white head, so he swings back from excusing the storm to blaming it.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Why has Kent been unable to get into the "hard house" he mentions?

   • Floodwater from the storm had blocked the castle gates
   • Correct answer: Those inside refused to let him in when he came asking for Lear
   • The guards mistook him for one of Lear's rowdy knights
   • Its lord was away and had ordered that nobody be admitted

   Kent says the house, harder than its own stones, denied him entry when he came asking after Lear, and he means to go back and force their "scanted courtesy."

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does Lear say "can make vile things precious"?

   • The kindness of loyal servants
   • The anger of the mighty gods
   • The patience of a humbled king
   • Correct answer: The art of our necessities

   Need changes how we value things: to a cold, wet man, a hovel and a bed of straw become precious.

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7. 7

   Question 7. In the Fool's closing prophecy, what will happen once all the listed things come about?

   • The king will return to his throne in glory
   • Merlin will rise again to rescue the kingdom
   • Correct answer: The realm of Albion will come to great confusion
   • The poor will at last be fed by the rich

   The Fool says "Then shall the realm of Albion / Come to great confusion," a joke since the kingdom is already in chaos.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Which of these events actually happen in Act 3, Scene 2?

   • Lear begs the storm to destroy the seeds that make ungrateful people.

     Happened

   • The Fool persuades Lear to return to Gloucester's castle.

     Didn't happen

   • Kent reveals his true name to Lear.

     Didn't happen

   • Lear asks the Fool whether he is cold.

     Happened

   • Kent says he will go back to the house that shut him out.

     Happened

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these moments are part of this scene?

   • Lear says the elements owe him no obedience.

     Happened

   • Regan sends a servant out to bring Lear inside.

     Didn't happen

   • The Fool sings a song about the wind and the rain.

     Happened

   • Lear curses Cordelia for leaving him.

     Didn't happen

   • The Fool speaks a prophecy about the realm of Albion.

     Happened

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does "pernicious" mean as used in: "That will with two pernicious daughters join"?

    • Quarrelsome and always complaining
    • Greedy for land and wealth alone
    • Weak and easily led by others
    • Correct answer: Wickedly harmful and destructive

    Pernicious means causing great harm; Lear sees Goneril and Regan as destructive forces allied with the storm.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does "undivulged" mean as used in: "That hast within thee undivulged crimes"?

    • Committed long ago and forgotten
    • Correct answer: Kept secret and never confessed
    • Forgiven by a priest or a judge
    • Planned but never carried out

    Undivulged means not revealed. Lear imagines the thunder terrifying people whose crimes are still hidden and unpunished.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does "simular" mean as used in: "Thou perjur'd, and thou simular man of virtue"?

    • Correct answer: Pretended or only seeming
    • Similar to others in every way
    • Proud of one's own goodness
    • Secretly kind and generous

    Simular means counterfeit: the man only pretends to be virtuous, like the hypocrites Lear wants the storm to expose.

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