King Lear

Who is the author of this particular playwright? William Shakespeare
What is the date of publication? 1608
What is the genre of this particular playwright? Tragedy
What are the three major theme(s) of this particular playwright? Justice, Loyalty, Power
Who is mentally blind in this particular playwright? King Lear, Gloucester
Who is physically blind in this particular playwright? Gloucester
Who is the loyal sister of the three of this particular playwright? Cordelia
Why does King Lear banish Cordelia? King Lear mistakes Cordelia’s honesty for betrayal, and his lack of knowledge encourages him to choose the path of the evil sisters
What is the significance of the opening scene of this particular playwright? This scene is significant because King Lear is pestering his daughters for a declaration of love in trade for the kingdom’s power, but creates chaos when choosing the wrong heiress for the throne.
What is the significance of the ending scene of this particular playwright? This scene is significant because the majority of main characters seek death, leaving Albany, Kent, and Edgar left for survival. There is no hope left for the future, suggesting the cruelty of human nature to be at large.
What is the significance of the setting of this particular playwright? William Shakespeare had set King Lear directing in a kingdom in the middle of England where the weather is traditionally very cold. The winters are unbearable to add depth to the suffering of madness from the protagonist, King Lear.
What are three major symbol(s) of this particular playwright? The Storm on the Heath, Blindness, Naked Body/Human Self
What does the character role of Cordelia symbolize? Virtue and Mercy
Who are the villains of the story? Regan, Goneril, Edmund
Who is disguised as the servant “Caius?” Kent
What is the significance of the weather symbol “water?” Water indicates drowning and asking Lear feels like he’s drowning/trapped because of Goneril and Regan
Who are the vampires of this particular playwright? Goneril (marks youngest sibling) and King Lear (ignorance hurts all)
Who gouges out Gloucestor’s eyes? Explain. Cornwall in irritation gouges out his other eye in attack from a servant with a sword and gets Gloucestor to admit that he helped Lear escape
What is the significance of King Lear’s pride/high standards? Achille’s Heel
What is King Lear’s only vulnerability in the death scene at the end? Pride
What is the significance of the quote, ” no more, nor less…” (pg. 9) This quote indicates the fall of Lear’s identity crisis when Cordelia does not even acknowledge his authority.
What is the significance of the quote, ” he is gone indeed,” (pg. 118) This quote indicates Pyrrhic victory and the majority of major characters dying out due to King Lear’s lack of knowledge and constant madness
What is the significance of the quote, ” Alack, I have no eyes…” (pg. 91) This quote indicates the physical blindness of Gloucestor, identification of villains and the cause of the majority of characters to believe what they see without proper insight
What is the significance of the quote, ” besides foul weather…” (pg. 91) This quote indicates the terrible storm brought upon King Lear, the power of nature, and the physical disaster that portrays King Lear’s internal confusion.
What is the significance of the quote, ” who is it, who am I?” (pg. 19) This quote indicates Lear’s identity crisis and his initial drive for his madness.