King Lear, ACT III - Scene VI. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Where does Gloucester bring Lear and his companions at the start of the scene?

   • Into the great hall of his own castle
   • Correct answer: To a farmhouse near his castle
   • To a hovel on the open heath
   • To an inn on the road to Dover

   The scene is set in a farmhouse near Gloucester's castle, which Gloucester says is better than the open air.

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2. 2

   Question 2. When the Fool asks whether a madman is a gentleman or a yeoman, how does Lear answer?

   • He says a madman is a beggar
   • He orders the Fool to be whipped
   • Correct answer: He cries, "A king, a king!"
   • He refuses to answer the riddle

   Lear answers "A king, a king!", naming himself as the madman without realizing it.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Whom does Lear seat as the "most learned justicer" in his imaginary court?

   • Correct answer: Poor Tom, who is really Edgar in disguise
   • Kent, who has served him all his life
   • The Fool, his long-time companion
   • Gloucester, who has just left to find food

   Lear tells Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, to sit as the most learned justicer, and gives the Fool the seat beside him.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Lear swear Goneril did to him?

   • She took away his crown and his lands
   • She locked her gates against him in the storm
   • She ordered her servants to beat his knights
   • Correct answer: She kicked the poor King her father

   Lear takes his oath before the honourable assembly that Goneril kicked the poor King her father.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Why does Lear call one of his judges a "False justicer"?

   • The judge has secretly taken a bribe from Goneril
   • Correct answer: The judge has let the imagined Regan escape
   • The judge refuses to hear any of Lear's evidence
   • The judge has fallen asleep on the bench at the trial

   Lear cries "Corruption in the place!" and asks the false justicer why he has let Regan escape.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Why does Edgar say his tears will "mar my counterfeiting"?

   • The cold rain has washed away the dirt of his disguise
   • He fears Gloucester will recognize his voice at last
   • Correct answer: His pity for Lear threatens to give away his disguise
   • He is tired of pretending and wants to reveal himself

   In an aside, Edgar admits that his sympathy for the mad king is so strong it may spoil his act as Poor Tom.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Edgar conclude in his rhymed speech at the end of the scene?

   • Correct answer: His own pain seems light beside the king's
   • He must reveal himself to his father at once
   • The king deserves his suffering for his pride
   • He will follow the king to Dover by night

   Edgar says, "How light and portable my pain seems now," because the same kind of grief that bends him makes the King bow.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Which of these events actually happen in Act 3, Scene 6?

   • Gloucester warns that he has overheard a plot to kill the king.

     Happened

   • Lear recognizes Poor Tom as Gloucester's son Edgar.

     Didn't happen

   • Lear imagines his little dogs barking at him.

     Happened

   • Kent sets off alone for Dover to raise an army.

     Didn't happen

   • Kent tells the Fool to help carry his sleeping master.

     Happened

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'arraign' mean as used in: 'It shall be done; I will arraign them straight.'?

   • To set free without any charge
   • To arrange neatly in a row
   • Correct answer: To bring before a court on a charge
   • To scold someone in private

   To arraign is to call someone before a court to answer a charge, which Lear does with his imaginary trial.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'sapient' mean as used in: 'Thou, sapient sir, sit here.'?

    • Correct answer: Wise or learned
    • Weak and sickly
    • Loud and boastful
    • Young and foolish

    Sapient means wise; Lear mock-seriously gives the title to the Fool as he seats him as a judge.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'bewray' mean as used in: 'Mark the high noises, and thyself bewray'?

    • To hide away
    • To pray for help
    • To run swiftly
    • Correct answer: To reveal or disclose

    Bewray means to reveal; Edgar means he will make himself known once the false opinion against him is cleared.

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