King Lear
by William Shakespeare
(Mulberry)
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Quick answers
1. Answer the following questions in not more than one sentence.
a. What does Lear decide to do with his kingdom?
= King Lear decides to divide his kingdom into three parts and wants to give them to his three daughters.
b. What do Lear's two older daughters say about their love for him?
= Goneril tells Lear that she loves him as much as any daughter loves her father. She says her love for her father is so great that it makes her breathless and unable to speak.
Regan tells Lear that she agrees with her sister and adds that nothing gives her greatness joy than her love for her father.
c. What is Cordelia's answer to Lear? How does Lear react to it?
= Cordelia merely says that it is her duty as a daughter to obey, love and honour her father. She loves her father according to her bond, neither more nor less.
King Lear is disappointed with Cordelia's answer. He declares that Cordelia is no longer his daughter and no longer related to him. He decides that Cordelia will get no part of the kingdom.
d. Why does the Earl of Kent argue with Lear?
= The Earl of Kent argues with Lear as he is the loyal advisor of the king. He wants to show Lear the real love of Cordelia for him. It is his duty to advice his lord. The Earl of Kent tries to explain Cordelia's love to King Lear. He declares that Lear must have gone mad to believe in the flattering words of his other two daughters.
2. Which of these best describes the conflict or problem in this extract of the play?
a. A conflict between Cordelia and her sisters. [ ]
b. A conflict between Lear and Cordelia. [✓]
c. A conflict between Cordelia and Kent. [ ]
Reference to context
3. "A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you."
a. Who says this and to whom?
= Goneril, the eldest daughter of King Lear, says this to her father.
b. Why does the speaker say this?
= The speaker says this as her father asks her to tell how much she loves her father. Lear will give to the daughter the most of his kingdom who loves him the most.
c. What does the speaker mean by 'a love that makes breath poor'?
= By 'a love that makes breath poor' the speaker means that her love for her father is so great that it makes her breathless.
4. "Nothing, my lord.
Nothing will come of nothing; speak again."
a. Who speaks the first line?
= Cordelia, the youngest and favourite daughter of Lear, speaks the first line.
b. Why does she respond that way?
= She responds that way because her love is stronger and richer than the words that her sisters speak. She is honest to her father. She is not greedy to get the lump sum of her father's kingdom.
c. What happens as a result of this response?
= As a result of this, King Lear is disappointed with Cordelia's answer. He declares that Cordelia is no longer his daughter and no longer related to him. He decides that Cordelia will get no part of the kingdom.
5. "Come not between the dragon and his wrath.
I loved her most, and thought to set my rest
On her kind nursery."
a. What meant by a love that makes breath poor?
= By 'a love that makes breath poor' the speaker means that her love for her father is so great that it makes her breathless and unable to speak.
b. Why is the 'dragon' angry?
= The 'dragon' is angry due to Cordelia's depiction of love for him. He is not satisfied with her description.
c. Who is referred to as a 'dragon', and why is he called that?
= King Lear is referred to as a 'dragon'.
He is disappointed with Cordelia's answer. He declares that Cordelia is no longer his daughter and no longer related to him. he decides that Cordelia will get no part of his kingdom. The Earl of Kent, Lear's advisor, starts to protest, but Lear was so angry that he asks him not to interfere.
Lear declares that he is very angry as Cordelia was his favourite and he loved her the most. He divides the third portion between his other two daughters. He is resentful like a dragon.
d. What does the speaker finally declare about the person spoken to?
= The speaker finally banishes the person spoken to. Lear orders the Earl of Kent to leave his dominion within five days. If he is found in the kingdom after ten days, he will be sentenced to death.
Read, reflect and write
6. Why do you think Cordelia behaves differently from her two sisters? Do you think she does the right thing? Give reasons to support your answer.
= I think Cordelia has a innocent heart and pure soul. She is very much fond of her father. She does not not how to be clever to fulfil her own desires. She listens to her heart. She is not driven by any mundane temptation.
I think she does the right thing by saying according to her heart while expressing her love to her father. Every child is special to their parents. Parents do take care of them and protect them. Parents provide them all advantages and fulfil their all necessities. In return, the children do have duties and responsibilities towards their parents. That is natural thing. There is no need to brag abut their love to the parents. The parent child bond is so celestial and unconditional. Cordelia expresses her unconditional love to her father.
7. Why do you think Lear dislikes Cordelia's answer? Do you agree with his judgement? Give reasons for your answer.
= Cordelia is the favourite daughter of King Lear. He has most expectation from her. He was all excited to listen to her youngest daughter that how much she loves her. He was impatiently waiting to give her the most rich portion of his kingdom. He was in certain mood. He has no sense to listen of judge anything other than what is in his mind. This fit of mind made him angry with Cordelia's answer.
I do not agree with his judgement. He is the father. He can never behave to his daughter like this. He is a King. He has all aspects to understand her beloved daughter. In addition, the Earl of Kent tried to give him enough hint to understand Cordelia. But he did not listen to him rather banished him from his kingdom.
8. Why does Kent rise in Cordelia's defense?
= The Earl of Kent is the advisor of King Lear. He is loyal to his royal master. He has honoured him as his king. He is all ready to show the king what is right and what is wrong. The Earl of Kent tries to explain Cordelia's love to King Lear. He declares that Lear must have gone mad to believe in the flattering words of his other two daughters. Kent asks Lear to change his decision, declaring that Cordelia loves him the most. Lear asks Kent to be silent, but Kent tries to convince him again. Kent asks Lear to think again and continue to consider him a good and true person.
9. Kent speaks to Lear pointing out what he is doing wrong, yet he maintains his king's dignity. What does this imply about Kent's relationship with the king? What does it imply about Kent's character?
= The Earl of Kent is the advisor of King Lear. He is the guide and well wisher of the King. He was all with the King when he decided to part his kingdom and distribute them among his three daughters. The King gave two parts of his kingdom after hearing their flattering about loving their father.
King Lear is disappointed with Cordelia's answer. He declares that Cordelia is no longer his daughter and no longer related to him. He decides that Cordelia will get no part of the kingdom.
The Earl of Kent starts to protest, but Lear asks him not to interfere. Lear declares that he is very angry as Cordelia was his favourite and he loved her the most. He divides the third portion between his other two daughters.
The Earl of Kent tries to explain Cordelia's love to King Lear. He declares that Lear must have gone mad to believe in the flattering words of his other two daughters.
Kent asks Lear to change his decision, declaring that Cordelia loves him the most. Lear asks Kent to be silent, but Kent tries to convince him again. Kent asks Lear to think again and again and continue to consider him a good and true person. Kent finally declares that he thinks what Lear is doing is evil.
Lear ultimately banishes Kent from his kingdom and ordered that he will be killed if he is seen in his kingdom again. Kent obeyed Lear's order. Yet he is worried about Cordelia. As the Earl of Kent leaves, he blesses Cordelia for being truthful, telling her that she has behaved properly. Kent tells Regan and Goneril to act according to what they have said. This shows that Kent is thoughtful about Lear's future.
10. Extended writing: Write a brief (about 200 words) comparison of Cordelia's character vis-Ã -vis Goneril and Regan's characters. Base your comparison on their respective speeches.
= Cordelia is honest and pure at heart. She is the same in her heart as in her mouth. Her love for her father is stronger and richer than the words that her sister speak. She loves her father according to the bond, neither more nor less. She is not greedy to have power and property. She is all dutiful and responsible to her father. She loves her father unconditionally. She rescues her father who is ultimately driven out by Goneril and Regan.
Goneril and Regan are right opposite of their younger sister Cordelia. They are cunning and clever. They are totally different at heart and in their words. They exaggerate their love for their father. They are greedy to have the portion of their father's kingdom. King Lear decides to spend half the year in Goneril's palace and half in Regan's palace. Both of them treats Lear cruelly. They do not want the King to live with them.
About the Playwright :
William Shakespeare (1564 baptised - 1616), playwright, actor, producer, director and poet was one of the greatest English playwrights. Shakespeare created immortal plays, both tragedies and comedies. He will be best remembered for his great tragedies - Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear and Othello and problem comedies - Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It. His sonnets celebrated love as well as poetry, but in unconventional ways.