King Lear Past Paper PDF

Here are concise 2-3 sentence responses for each question based on Acts 3–5 of *King Lear*: 1. **Who does Kent send a ring to and for what purpose?** Kent sends a ring to Cordelia to reveal his true identity and loyalty while remaining in disguise. This allows Cordelia to understand that the disg...

Here are concise 2-3 sentence responses for each question based on Acts 3–5 of *King Lear*: 1. **Who does Kent send a ring to and for what purpose?** Kent sends a ring to Cordelia to reveal his true identity and loyalty while remaining in disguise. This allows Cordelia to understand that the disguised servant aiding Lear is actually Kent, who has been working tirelessly to protect her father. 2. **In Act 4.3, what makes Cordelia different from her sisters?** Cordelia is selfless, forgiving, and genuinely loves Lear, unlike Goneril and Regan, who are deceitful and power-hungry. Her actions are driven by loyalty and compassion, while her sisters' are rooted in greed and manipulation. 3. **How do both Goneril and Regan meet their end? What does this have to do with Edmund?** Regan is poisoned by Goneril, who is jealous of her involvement with Edmund. Later, Goneril takes her own life after her schemes collapse, showing how their rivalry over Edmund leads to their downfall. 4. **What title does Edmund inherit and how?** Edmund becomes the Earl of Gloucester after betraying his father by fabricating evidence of Gloucester’s treason. His treachery earns him favor with Cornwall and Regan, who reward him with power. 5. **What does King Lear mean by "unaccommodated man"?** Lear reflects on the fragility of human existence when he sees Poor Tom. He realizes that without status, possessions, or shelter, humans are reduced to their most basic and vulnerable state. 6. **What does Lear assume has happened to Poor Tom?** Lear assumes that Poor Tom has been destroyed by betrayal and harsh treatment, much like himself. He empathizes with Tom's apparent madness, seeing it as a result of a cruel and unjust world. 7. **What does Edmund earn for his treachery?** Edmund gains power, recognition, and the title of Earl of Gloucester for betraying his father. He manipulates everyone around him, including Regan and Goneril, to climb the social and political ladder. 8. **Who does Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, state he is fleeing from?** Edgar claims he is fleeing from the "foul fiend," referencing a devil or evil spirit. This aligns with his disguise as a madman and keeps others from discovering his true identity. 9. **What important information does Gloucester share with Edmund and how is he betrayed?** Gloucester confides in Edmund about his plan to support Lear and help him escape to Do ver. Edmund betrays him by reporting this to Regan and Cornwall, leading to Gloucester's capture and blinding. 10. **Who strips Gloucester of his title and possessions and why?** Cornwall and Regan strip Gloucester of his title and possessions after learning (through Edmund's betrayal) that he has helped Lear. They punish him cruelly, accusing him of treason. 11. **At the end of Act 3.2, what evidence is there that the world is "upside down"?** The raging storm mirrors the chaos in the kingdom, where natural order and societal structure have collapsed. Lear’s madness and the betrayal of Gloucester by his son underscore this disorder. 12. **How does Edmund find out that Cordelia’s forces are coming?** Edmund learns about Cordelia's forces through intercepted letters and reports from spies. He prepares to use this knowledge to counter their advance and consolidate his power. 13. **What final step do Goneril and Regan take against King Lear? How does he find out?** Goneril and Regan finalize their betrayal by commanding Edmund to capture and kill Lear. Lear discovers their treachery when he is captured after the battle and treated with disdain. 14. **Why is it ironic that Edmund calls the treatment of Lear by his daughters unnatural?** It is ironic because Edmund himself has committed similar acts of betrayal and disrespect toward his own father. His condemnation of Goneril and Regan highlights his hypocrisy. 15. **Who has sent spies to Lear’s kingdom?** Cordelia has sent spies to gather information about Lear’s state and the political chaos in Britain. She wants to rescue her father and restore order. 16. **What does Edgar think is the lowest point, and what terrible events happen next?** Edgar believes Gloucester’s despair, especially his suicide attempt, represents the lowest point. Shortly after, Edgar confronts and defeats Edmund, restoring some sense of justice. 17. **Who asks Edmund to kill her husband?** Goneril asks Edmund to kill her husband, Albany, so they can be together. This reveals her ruthless ambition and willingness to betray anyone for power. 18. **What function do letters play in *King Lear*?** Letters are pivotal in advancing the plot and exposing betrayals, such as Edmund revealing Gloucester’s treachery or Goneril and Regan's schemes. They serve as tools of deception and communication between key players. 19. **Where do the final events of the play convene?** The final events take place on the battlefield and later in the British camp near Dover. These settings emphasize the culmination of the power struggles and tragic consequences. 20. **Who does Gloucester say kills men for sport? Explain.** Gloucester laments that the gods treat humans as mere playthings, comparing them to flies being killed by cruel boys. This reflects his despair and the arbitrary suffering inflicted upon him. 21. **How does Cordelia die? What happens to King Lear?** Cordelia is hanged in prison on Edmund’s orders, despite her innocence. Lear dies of grief shortly after holding her lifeless body, unable to endure the loss. 22. **Who finally confronts Edmund and what is the outcome?** Edgar confronts Edmund in a duel and defeats him. Before dying, Edmund attempts to repent by revealing his plans to kill Lear and Cordelia, but it is too late to save them. 23. **Who calls upon nature to do its worst in Act 3.4?** King Lear challenges the storm to rage against him, expressing his defiance of the elements and his despair over human betrayal. This scene reflects his growing madness and disconnection from reality. 24. **What is cosmic irony? What is verbal irony? What is dramatic irony?** Cosmic irony occurs when fate or the gods seem to mock human efforts, as seen in Gloucester’s suffering. Verbal irony is when someone says the opposite of what they mean, often sarcastically, such as Lear calling Goneril "kind." Dramatic irony is when the audience knows more than the characters, such as Gloucester trusting Edmund while the audience knows Edmund’s betrayal.