King Lear Act I

In Act 1, Scene 1, Lear divides his kingdom in how many parts?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

For what reason does Lear say he is dividing his kingdom?

• His old age

• Fear of war

• Pressure from the husbands of Goneril and Regan

• Taxes and money

In response to their father's request, how do Goneril and Regan react differently than Cordelia?

• They profess their love for him aloud and are each rewarded with a piece of the kingdom

• They challenge Lear's authority while Cordelia respects it

• They do not act differently; they each respond to Lear in the same way

• Goneril and Regan blame Cordelia for the kingdom's problems; Cordelia blames no one

What is Lear's reaction to Cordelia's response to his request?

• He is verbally angry and claims to disown her from the family

• He is deeply saddened and cries uncontrollably

• He laughs mockingly and showers his other daughters Goneril and Regan with more land from the kingdom

• He becomes physically abusive and slaps Cordelia across the face

What is Kent's role in the conflict between Lear and Cordelia?

• He takes Cordelia's side and tries to convince Lear that Cordelia's love for him is most genuine

• He takes Lear's side and scolds Cordelia for her response

• He takes Goneril and Regan's side and claims their responses are best

• He takes no one side and secretly has plans to take over the kingdom

What warning does Kent give to Lear before exiting?

• To not be fooled by flattery or folly

• To choose Goneril as his heir, not Regan

• To have the Duke of Burgundy marry Cordelia, not the King of France

• That he is sick and will die soon

After the fight between Lear and Cordelia, does the Duke of Burgundy wish to marry Cordelia? Why or why not?

• No, he does not want to marry Cordelia because she has been disowned from the family and therefore does not have money

• Yes, he does want to marry Cordelia because he is impressed with her willingness to speak up and state her own opinions

• No, wants to marry Goneril or Regan instead

• Yes, he has conspired to marry Cordelia in order to take over the kingdom with her

What do Goneril and Regan talk about in the conclusion of Act I, Scene I?

• Their father's old age and angry irrationality

• How they feel bad for Cordelia and the way she was treated

• Their husbands and how powerful they are

• Gloucester's treatment of his two sons Edmund and Edgar

How would you characterize Cordelia's love for King Lear?

• Genuine but not showy; when she speaks her love, she says it is out of duty

• A mixture of genuine love and wanting to use him for power and money

• Over-the-top; her display of affection for her father far exceeds that of Goneril and Regan's

• A lie; she hates her father

After the fight between Lear and Cordelia, does the King of France wish to marry Cordelia? Why or why not?

• No, he does not want to marry Cordelia because she has been disowned from the family and therefore does not have money

• Yes, he does want to marry Cordelia because he is impressed with her willingness to speak up and state her own opinions

• No, wants to marry Goneril or Regan instead

• Yes, he has conspired to marry Cordelia in order to take over the kingdom with her