King Lear Act 3 Review

An analogy can be made between Lear battling the storm and what?

His daughters

Where has the French army landed?

Dover

What causes the unnatural severity of the storm?

The break in the natural order

How will the gentleman, who speaks to Kent about what has happened to Lear, identify himself to Cordelia?

The ring

Who becomes the new Earl of Gloucester?

Edmund

Who is the victim of a murderous plot?

Lear

By whom was the murderous plot done

Reagan, Goneril, and Cornwall

Lear believes the Edgar's destitution is caused by whom?

His daughters

Reagan and Cornwall's behavior toward Gloucester is unnatural because . . .

They're in his house and he is older

What brings Lear understanding?

His misery

What two things represent treason in the new, unnatural world?

Kindness and honesty

Examples of unnatural behavior

Treatment of Gloucester, Edmund betraying his father, servants acting more noble than the nobles

Gloucester finally gains insight when . . .

he is blinded by Cornwall.

"Thou call'st on him that hates thee. It was he / That made the overture of thy treasons to us, / Who is too good to pity thee."

Regan speaking of Edmund's betrayal of Gloucsester

"But I shall see / The winged vengeance overtake such children."

Gloucester's foreshadowing words in scene 7

"When we our betters see bearing our woes, / We scarcely think our miseries our foes, / Who alone suffers, suffers most i' th' mind, / Leaving free things and happy shows behind."

Edgar on Lear's current plight

"Then let them anatomize Regan. See what breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts."

Lear trying to learn why his daughters have turned on him.

"Bless thy five wits. My tears begin to take his part so much, / They'll mar my counterfeiting."

Edgar's words following the Mock Trial

"True or False, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester."

Edmund reaches the top of the Wheel of Fortune.

"I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love."

Cornwall to Edmund

"His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent -- / He said it would be thus, poor banished man. / Thou say'st the king grows mad. I'll tell thee, friend, / I am almost mad myself."

Gloucester compares his woes to those of Lear.

"Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art. -- / Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here."

Lear expresses the plight of Edgar

"Take physic, pomp, Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel."

Lear expresses pity on those who are less fortunate

"Wilt break my heart?

"I had rather break mine own."

Trust and loyal between Lear and Kent

"Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand / For lifting food to 't?"

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

"This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke / Instantly know, and of that letter too."

Edmund's betrayal

"Since I was man, / Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, / Such groans of roaring wind and rain I never / Remember to have heard."

Natural occurrences (greatest storm ever)

"Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! / You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout / Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!"

End of the world

What news about Albany, Cornwall, and the King of France does Kent reveal to the Gentleman?

Kent reveals that the division between Albany and Cornwall has intensified. He also says the King of France plans to invade and has in fact already landed troops on the shore of Denver.

What mission does Kent ask the Gentleman to complete?

He sends the messenger to Cordelia to inform of all the mischief that has happened. He sends the gentleman with a ring that will help Cordelia recognize him as a messenger form Kent.

In Lear's first speech in this scene, how does Shakespeare portray the great emotional upheaval going on within Lear's mind?

The confusion in his mind is represented by the ferocity of the storm.

What comment about women does Lear make in his speech?

he says that they are all preoccupied with their appearance and practice their manners

What is Kent's opinion of the storm's ferocity?

He thinks it is the worse thing he has ever experienced. He says that no human can survive

How does Lear's remark "I am a man more sinn'd against than sinning" reflect his development as a human being within the play?

He realizes he has made mistakes and his thoughts about the goodness of human nature are invalid.

How do Regan, Goneril, and Cornwall react to Gloucester's request to pity the King?

They take his house away from him and tell him not to mention the Kings name again.

What information does Edmund share with the audience after his father tells him about the "dangerous" letter and subsequently exits the stage?

Edmund is going straight to the Duke saying his father knew about this letter and hopes he gets everything his father loses.

How does Lear explain his approaching insanity?

He compares it to the storm, his confusing conflicting thoughts aren't allowing him to think clearly. He blames his insanity on the ungratefulness of his daughters.

Upon seeing Edgar emerge from the hovel disguised as poor Tom, what does Lear immediately assume has happened to Edgar?

He believes that Edgar's story is the same as his. He gave up his possessions and was thrown out into the storm, when in reality he is just faking it,

How does Edgar respond to Lear's assumptions?

Edgar paraphrases a list of rules similar to the 10 commandments

Why does Lear tear off his clothes?

he does this to represent that he is the same as poor tom (edgar): he has nothing

How does Gloucester's appearance at the hovel illustrate the parallel structure between the Lear-daughters plot and the Gloucester-sons subplot?

He identifies himself with the King because they are both suffering they children's horrible treatment and he also believes his son sets out to kill him in the same was Lear's daughters want to kill him.

What trail is Lear developing as a result of his daughter's treatment? How does this trait affect Lear's status as a tragic hero?

Lear is developing human compassion. When he was king he did not think of the poor. Because of this when Lear experiences his last tradgedy, the audience might have pit for him making him the "Tragic hero"

What is Edmund's reward upon reporting Gloucester's alleged sympathies for the King of France to the Duke?

Edmund receives his father's title, "Earl of Gloucester"

How does Edmund misrepresent his family obligations to the Duke?

Edmund tries to act like turning in his father is hard because of their family ties when he is actually just gaining favor with the duke because he is showing that his loyalty to the duke is more important then that to his father.

What is Edmund's attitude toward the concept of loyalty and what does it reveal about his character?

He pretends to be loyal to the duke and his father but in reality he is loyal to only himself. This shows that he is manipulator.

What does the Duke promise Edmund?

The duke promises to love Edmund as if he were his father.

What imaginary event does Lear stage once he has entered the farmhouse chamber?

Lear stages, a mockery trial for his daughters.

What does Lear accuse Goneril of during his imaginary trial?

Lear claims that Goneril "kicked the poor king her father"

Why does Edgar fear his true identity might be exposed and how does the audience learn about his concerns?

He is scared he might expose himself because when he sees Lear doing the mock trial, he feels so bad for him because he has gone crazy, he wants to cry. He tells the crowd this through a soliloquy.

What news does Gloucester deliver upon his arrival?

Gloucester overheard the plot to kill Lear and tells the fool and Kent to take Lear to Dover where Cordelia is.

How does Lear's suffering impact Edgar's disposition?

He realizes he is not the only one who has endured hardships and gained strength in seeing Lear's situation.

Why does Cornwall order his servants to pursue Gloucester?

He says Gloucester is a traitor because he is communicating with Cordelia and the King of France.

How does Cornwall vow to treat Gloucester once he has been found?

Cornwall vows to put all of his anger on Gloucester.

Why does Gloucester consider Regan's and Cornwall's behavior toward him inappropriate?

Gloucester reminds Regan and Cornwall that they are guests in his house, and should treat him with respect.

What information do Regan and Cornwall demand from Gloucester?

They demand to know where he sent the king.

What image does Gloucester evoke in the following lines he speaks to Regan: "Because I would not see thy cruel nails pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister in his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs"?

They evoke a cruel image. They compare the work of the daughters to those of animals.

How does this image of the two sisters compare to their words of affection they uttered in the opening scene of the play?

In the opening scene they said they love their father more than words can describe, however now those words mean nothing. This shows how deceptive his daughters were.

Why does the servant interfere with the proceedings in Gloucester's castle and what do his actions reveal about his character?

the servant tries to stop Cornwall from blinding Gloucester. This shows his character is very just because he sees bad things and took action.

What startling news about Edmund does Gloucester learn from Goneril?

Gloucester learns that Edmund had betrayed him and falsely accused Edgar.

What theme is advanced by the gouging out of Gloucester's eyes?

The theme of sight and insight. By being physically blind he is no longer blind mentally when it comes to his sons.

What is significant about the servant's challenging Cornwall about his treatment of Gloucester?

Because it is disruptions of the natural order.