King Lear, ACT III - Scene V. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Where is Act 3, Scene 5 of King Lear set?

   • Correct answer: In Gloucester's castle
   • On the open heath
   • Before a hovel in the storm
   • At Albany's palace

   The scene heading places it in Gloucester's castle, where Cornwall and Regan are staying while Lear is out in the storm.

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2. 2

   Question 2. At the start of the scene, against whom does Cornwall vow revenge?

   • Kent, for attacking Oswald
   • Correct answer: Gloucester, in his own house
   • Edgar, for plotting murder
   • Lear, for cursing Regan

   Cornwall says he will have his revenge before he leaves 'his house', meaning Gloucester's own castle.

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3. 3

   Question 3. According to Cornwall, what partly provoked Edgar's supposed plot against his father?

   • Edmund's jealous lies
   • Correct answer: A badness within Gloucester
   • Lear's harsh treatment of him
   • Goneril's encouragement

   Cornwall now says the plot was set in motion by 'a reproveable badness' in Gloucester himself, twisting the story to blame the father.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Edmund claim the letter proves about his father?

   • That he plans to seize the crown
   • That he has hidden Edgar nearby
   • Correct answer: That he is spying for France
   • That he means to free Kent

   Edmund says the letter shows Gloucester is 'an intelligent party to the advantages of France', an informer working for France.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What reward does Edmund receive from Cornwall in this scene?

   • Command of Cornwall's army
   • A seat on the King's council
   • Edgar's lands and his fortune
   • Correct answer: The title Earl of Gloucester

   Cornwall makes Edmund Earl of Gloucester on the spot, handing him his father's title.

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6. 6

   Question 6. When Cornwall says "True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester," what does he reveal about himself?

   • Correct answer: He cares about its use, not its truth
   • He doubts Edmund is truly Gloucester's son
   • He suspects Edmund forged the letter himself
   • He plans to test the letter before acting

   Cornwall does not care whether the letter is accurate; it gives him a reason to act against Gloucester, so Edmund is rewarded regardless.

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7. 7

   Question 7. In his aside, what does Edmund hope to catch his father doing?

   • Hiding Edgar from Cornwall's men
   • Writing again to the King of France
   • Correct answer: Comforting the King in his need
   • Plotting against Regan and Goneril

   Edmund says that if he finds Gloucester comforting the King, it will strengthen Cornwall's suspicion even further.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Why is Cornwall's promise that Edmund will find "a dearer father in my love" ironic?

   • Cornwall has no children of his own to love
   • Correct answer: Edmund has just betrayed his real father for gain
   • Cornwall secretly plans to betray Edmund too
   • Edmund already knows Cornwall cannot be trusted

   Cornwall offers fatherly love to a son who has just handed his own father over to be arrested, and to the man who has vowed revenge on that father.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually happen in Act 3, Scene 5?

   • Edmund gives Cornwall a letter linking Gloucester to France.

     Happened

   • Gloucester enters and denies the charges against him.

     Didn't happen

   • Cornwall makes Edmund the new Earl of Gloucester.

     Happened

   • Regan joins them and questions Edmund about the letter.

     Didn't happen

   • Edmund says that Edgar was the one who wrote the letter.

     Didn't happen

   • Cornwall tells Edmund to find his father so he can be arrested.

     Happened

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'reproveable' mean as used in: 'set awork by a reproveable badness in himself'?

    • Able to be proven
    • Correct answer: Deserving blame
    • Hidden from view
    • Easily forgiven

    Reproveable (reprovable) means deserving reproof or blame; Cornwall claims Gloucester's own blameworthy badness provoked Edgar.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'apprehension' mean as used in: 'Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension'?

    • Fear or dread of the future
    • Full understanding
    • Correct answer: Arrest or capture
    • A formal welcome

    Here apprehension means arrest; Cornwall wants Gloucester found so that he can be seized.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'persever' mean as used in: 'I will persever in my course of loyalty'?

    • Give up entirely
    • Pretend loudly
    • Pause to rethink
    • Correct answer: Keep going steadily

    Persever is an old spelling of persevere, to continue steadily; Edmund claims he will stay loyal to Cornwall despite his feelings for his father.

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