12 Questions
What angered Lear at Gloucester's castle?
Being asked to dismiss all his knights
Who quarrels bitterly with Lear at Gloucester's castle?
Goneril and Regan
Which character says, 'Hail to thee, noble master'?
The Gentleman
Why was Lear surprised about the absence of his messenger?
He had sent a message the night before
Who shuts Gloucester's castle against Lear?
Cornwall, Regan, and Goneril
What did each daughter demand before allowing Lear to stay with them?
Dismissal of all knights
Who delivered letters from Goneril's mistress to the recipients?
The reeking post
What reaction did the recipients have upon receiving the delivered letters?
They summoned their meiny and took horse
What did the messenger perceive about his welcome upon meeting the other messenger?
It was poisoned
What did the Fool say about following noses among people?
All people follow their noses but only fools follow blindly
What did the Fool say about letting go when a great wheel runs down a hill?
It may lead to a broken neck if not careful
What did the Fool imply by saying 'Not i' th' stocks, fool'?
He did not learn from punishment
Study Notes
King Lear's Conflict at Gloucester's Castle
- Lear is angered by the cold reception he receives at Gloucester's castle.
- The king quarrels bitterly with Goneril at Gloucester's castle.
- Oswald, Goneril's servant, says, 'Hail to thee, noble master' to Lear.
- Lear is surprised about the absence of his messenger, who has not arrived to announce his arrival.
- Goneril shuts Gloucester's castle against Lear, refusing to accommodate him.
- Each daughter demands that Lear dismiss his knights before allowing him to stay with them.
The Letters and the Messengers
- Oswald delivers letters from Goneril's mistress to the recipients.
- The recipients react with anger and displeasure upon receiving the delivered letters.
- The messenger perceives that he is not welcomed upon meeting the other messenger.
The Fool's Wisdom
- The Fool says that people often follow noses (i.e., they follow the crowd or conform to social norms) among others.
- The Fool advises that one should let go when a great wheel runs down a hill, implying that one should not try to control or resist the inevitable.
- The Fool implies that he is not a fool in the sense that he is not bound by societal expectations, saying 'Not i' th' stocks, fool'.
Test your knowledge on the dramatic encounter at Gloucester's castle in Shakespeare's 'King Lear', where Lear is angered by his daughters and faces a storm. Explore the unfolding events involving Lear, his daughters, the Fool, and the Gentleman.
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