King Lear, ACT IV - Scene II. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. According to Oswald, how did Albany answer the news that Goneril was coming home?

   • Correct answer: He said only, 'The worse.'
   • He ordered a feast for her
   • He rode out to greet her
   • He asked if Regan had come

   Oswald reports that when told Goneril was coming, Albany's answer was simply 'The worse,' a sign of how far he has turned against her.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What task does Goneril give Edmund when she sends him back to Cornwall?

   • To carry Regan's letter back to her
   • Correct answer: To hasten his musters and lead his forces
   • To learn where the blinded Gloucester has fled
   • To tell Lear his knights may return

   Goneril tells Edmund to hasten Cornwall's musters and conduct his powers, while she takes command at home.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Who does Goneril say will carry messages between her and Edmund?

   • A gentleman of Albany's household
   • Her sister Regan's own steward
   • Correct answer: Oswald, her trusty servant
   • A soldier from Cornwall's army

   Goneril says this trusty servant, Oswald, shall pass between them.

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4. 4

   Question 4. To what does Albany compare Goneril when he warns that she must wither?

   • A flame starved of its oil
   • A river cut off from its spring
   • A ship that has lost its anchor
   • Correct answer: A branch cut from its tree

   Albany says she who will sliver and disbranch from her material sap must wither, picturing her as a branch severed from the tree that fed it.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What outside threat does Goneril accuse Albany of ignoring while he lectures her?

   • Correct answer: France spreading his banners in the land
   • Lear gathering his knights to attack
   • Regan claiming all of Albany's lands
   • Edgar raising rebels against the dukes

   Goneril says France spreads his banners in their noiseless land while Albany, a moral fool, sits still.

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6. 6

   Question 6. How was the Duke of Cornwall fatally wounded?

   • He fell fighting the French army
   • Correct answer: His own servant struck him with a sword
   • Edmund stabbed him in a quarrel over Regan
   • Gloucester wounded him while blinded

   The Gentleman reports that a servant, moved by remorse, opposed the blinding and gave Cornwall the stroke that has since killed him.

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7. 7

   Question 7. How does Albany interpret the news of Cornwall's death?

   • As a sign that France will now win
   • As a loss that will weaken the kingdom
   • Correct answer: As proof that heavenly justicers punish crimes
   • As a chance to seize Cornwall's lands

   Albany says the death shows that justicers above can venge these nether crimes so speedily.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Why does Cornwall's death trouble Goneril even though part of her welcomes it?

   • Albany will now command the whole army alone
   • Lear may take back Cornwall's share
   • The French will hear of it and attack
   • Correct answer: Regan is a widow with Edmund beside her

   In her aside Goneril fears that the widowed Regan, with her Gloucester (Edmund) at her side, could pull down the building in her fancy.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually happen in Act 4, Scene 2?

   • Goneril gives Edmund a favour and a kiss.

     Happened

   • Albany draws his sword on Goneril.

     Didn't happen

   • A Gentleman hands Goneril a letter from her sister.

     Happened

   • Edmund tells Albany that his father is a traitor.

     Didn't happen

   • Albany learns that Edmund informed against Gloucester.

     Happened

   • Oswald announces that Lear has reached Dover.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'cowish' mean as used in: 'It is the cowish terror of his spirit, That dares not undertake'?

    • Gentle and patient
    • Correct answer: Cowardly and timid
    • Stubborn and slow
    • Stupid and dull

    Cowish means cowardly; Goneril claims Albany is too frightened to act.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'contemns' mean as used in: 'That nature which contemns it origin Cannot be bordered certain in itself'?

    • Forgets about
    • Imitates closely
    • Grows away from in time
    • Correct answer: Scorns or despises

    Contemns means treats with contempt; Albany says a nature that despises its own origin has no limits.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'perforce' mean as used in: 'Humanity must perforce prey on itself, Like monsters of the deep'?

    • Correct answer: Of necessity
    • By accident
    • In secret
    • With great joy

    Perforce means unavoidably; Albany warns that without heaven's help humanity will inevitably devour itself.

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