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Quiz about King Lear
Quiz about King Lear

King Lear Trivia Quiz


Keats called this play "the fierce dispute, betwixt damnation and impassion'd clay". Good luck in a very challenging quiz. Enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by Fiachra. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
Fiachra
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
128,945
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
25
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
12 / 25
Plays
1483
Last 3 plays: Guest 45 (8/25), Guest 165 (8/25), Guest 64 (4/25).
- -
Question 1 of 25
1. Who was Kent describing in these lines? "I cannot wish the fault undone the issue of it being so proper." Hint


Question 2 of 25
2. "That future -------- may be prevented now". What is the missing word?

Answer: (Dispute)
Question 3 of 25
3. Who did Lear address in this remark. "Come not between the dragon and his wrath"? Hint


Question 4 of 25
4. What did Edmund find "thrown in at his casement"? Hint


Question 5 of 25
5. Complete the Fool's request to Lear. "Prithee nuncle, keep a schoolteacher that can teach thy Fool to ....?

Answer: (Deceive)
Question 6 of 25
6. Kent assumed the name Caius so that he could assassinate Lear.


Question 7 of 25
7. In Act 2 Scene 1, who was Regan asking about in this question: "Was he not one of the riotous knights"? Hint


Question 8 of 25
8. "I will daub the walls of a jakes with you". What does Kent mean by jakes? Hint


Question 9 of 25
9. Complete the line "Allow not nature more than nature needs? Man's life is --------"? Hint


Question 10 of 25
10. Who gave the order to shut the doors of Gloucester's castle after Lear's dramatic departure? Hint


Question 11 of 25
11. Who tells us in Act 3 Scene 1 that "there is mutual cunning 'twixt Albany and Cornwall"? Hint


Question 12 of 25
12. How does Lear describe Poor Tom whom he meets in the hovel? Hint


Question 13 of 25
13. Who told Cornwall about Gloucester's letter? Hint


Question 14 of 25
14. What 'charge' was brought against Goneril in the mock trial? Hint


Question 15 of 25
15. Who told Gloucester the truth about his sons? Hint


Question 16 of 25
16. What did Gloucester intend to do when he reached Dover? Hint


Question 17 of 25
17. Complete this quotation "this shows you are above you --------"

Answer: (Judges)
Question 18 of 25
18. Can you complete this quotation "a ------- is obeyed in office"? Hint


Question 19 of 25
19. Edgar discovered the plot to kill Albany when he killed Oswald?


Question 20 of 25
20. How did Lear describe himself when he was re-united with Cordelia in Act 4 Scene viii? Hint


Question 21 of 25
21. Was France with Cordelia at the final battle?


Question 22 of 25
22. Who took Cordelia and Lear prisoner at the end of the battle? Hint


Question 23 of 25
23. Which of the sisters died of poisoning?

Answer: (Widow)
Question 24 of 25
24. Was Edmund obliged to fight an unknown adversary?


Question 25 of 25
25. Who ruled the kingdom at the end of the play in the Folio version? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 45: 8/25
Feb 28 2024 : Guest 165: 8/25
Feb 21 2024 : Guest 64: 4/25
Feb 02 2024 : Guest 85: 14/25

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Who was Kent describing in these lines? "I cannot wish the fault undone the issue of it being so proper."

Answer: Edmund

These lines are spoken as Gloucester, Edmund and Kent await the arrival of Lear. Everyone is aware that some momentous decisions are to be announced, there is a buzz a sense of expectancy.
2. "That future -------- may be prevented now". What is the missing word?

Answer: Strife

Lear announced his intention to divide his kingdom, retire from kingship and publish his daughters dowries, with the expressed intention of preventing future strife. How ironic!
3. Who did Lear address in this remark. "Come not between the dragon and his wrath"?

Answer: Kent

Kent, like Lear, had a passionate temper which he lost in Cordelia's defence. It earned him banishment.
4. What did Edmund find "thrown in at his casement"?

Answer: Nothing

Edmund claimed that a letter from Edgar was thrown in his window. In reality he had written it himself. It was part of his elaborate scheme to turn the gullible Gloucester against his legitimate son. It worked like a dream.
5. Complete the Fool's request to Lear. "Prithee nuncle, keep a schoolteacher that can teach thy Fool to ....?

Answer: Lie

The Fool claims if he could lie he would become rich and powerful like Goneril and Regan. This remark is part of a long series of jibes in which the Fool points out Lear's foolishness in giving everything away.
6. Kent assumed the name Caius so that he could assassinate Lear.

Answer: False

Lear, in spite of his treatment of Kent, inspired great loyalty. Kent, disguised as a servant called Caius, kept watch over Lear, risking death if he was discovered.
7. In Act 2 Scene 1, who was Regan asking about in this question: "Was he not one of the riotous knights"?

Answer: Edgar

News had reached Regan of Edgar's so-called scheme to kill his father, she asked was he one of the hundred knights Lear had retained. Instantly, Edmund replied that he was of that number, further damning his half brother in everyones' eyes.
8. "I will daub the walls of a jakes with you". What does Kent mean by jakes?

Answer: Toilet

Given the standard of toilets or middens in Elizabethen times, threatening to paint the walls with someone's blood was a terrible insult. It would have been a most dishonorable way to die, one that Kent considered suitable for Oswald, whom he thought of as a coward.
9. Complete the line "Allow not nature more than nature needs? Man's life is --------"?

Answer: Cheap

Too late Lear learned the truth of the Fool's remarks, he had nothing. It was his own fault, but he could not accept this. His mind dwelt on his daughters' ingratitude, frantically he tried not to lose his temper 'down hysterio passio down'.
10. Who gave the order to shut the doors of Gloucester's castle after Lear's dramatic departure?

Answer: Cornwall

Lear fled in humiliation and fury. He could not punish anyone as he had given all his powers away. The storm on the heath mirrors the agony in Lear's mind.
Cornwall begins to play a more significant role at this part of the play.
11. Who tells us in Act 3 Scene 1 that "there is mutual cunning 'twixt Albany and Cornwall"?

Answer: Kent

Set against a background of an appalling storm, this scene tells us also of the arrival of French forces in Dover.
12. How does Lear describe Poor Tom whom he meets in the hovel?

Answer: Philosopher

Lear identified with Poor Tom immediately and asks "Dids't thou give all to thy daughters"? It is interesting that the Fool disappears from the play after the mad 'trial' of Goneril and Regan in the hovel. Lear must come to know himself and his actions by himself.
13. Who told Cornwall about Gloucester's letter?

Answer: Edmund

Edmund betrayed his father, seizing the opportunity to get on good terms with the new powers. He had said earlier in the play "all's with me meet that I can fashion fit."
This often happens with Shakespeare's villains, we see them first as 'wronged', then we see their evil. Iago is another character like that, I think.
14. What 'charge' was brought against Goneril in the mock trial?

Answer: Kicked her father

In this strange scene Lear imagined he could put his daughters on trial, their ingratitude obsessed him to the point of madness. On the heath he accused the elements of joining with his daughters against him, 'have with two pernicious daughters joined against a head so old and white as this'.
15. Who told Gloucester the truth about his sons?

Answer: Regan

Gloucester was blinded by Cornwall, in his agony he cried for Edmund. To add to his sufferings Regan told him the truth. "Thou call'st on him who hates thee." Gloucester like Lear misunderstood the true nature of his children Shakespeare uses the sub plot to highlight Lear's suffering. Gloucester suffers physically, while Lear's suffering is in his mind.
16. What did Gloucester intend to do when he reached Dover?

Answer: Kill himself

In pain, both physically and mentally, Gloucester seeks death. His view of life has become cynical. "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods they kill us for their sport."
17. Complete this quotation "this shows you are above you --------"

Answer: Justicers

Albany emerges from the shadows in this scene. He is appalled by his wife's behaviour and Gloucester's fate. When Albany hears of Cornwall's death he feels some measure of justice has been carried out.
18. Can you complete this quotation "a ------- is obeyed in office"?

Answer: Dog

Lear, though still quite disturbed, has learned the nature of justice and power. He sees now what he never saw while king "through tattered clothes small vices do appear. Robes and furr'd gowns hide all."
19. Edgar discovered the plot to kill Albany when he killed Oswald?

Answer: True

Oswald was the go-between and was carrying a letter from Goneril to Edmund.
20. How did Lear describe himself when he was re-united with Cordelia in Act 4 Scene viii?

Answer: A foolish fond old man

The great rage has left Lear and he gets everything in perspective again. Lear spoke all the other lines but not in this scene.
21. Was France with Cordelia at the final battle?

Answer: No

He had returned home. This allowed Shakespeare to keep the focus on Lear and Cordelia rather than a country facing an invasion.
22. Who took Cordelia and Lear prisoner at the end of the battle?

Answer: Edmund

Edmund had already decided if he got his hands on Lear and Cordelia that he would execute them. "For my state stands on me to defend not to debate."
23. Which of the sisters died of poisoning?

Answer: Regan

Goneril and Regan quarrelled over Edmund. In her determination to prevent Regan marrying him, Goneril poisoned her. Sisterly love!
24. Was Edmund obliged to fight an unknown adversary?

Answer: No

According to the laws of knighthood a soldier was not bound to answer 'an unknown opponent'. This is the only time in the drama when Edmund took a risk and ironically he was killed by the brother he had wronged.
25. Who ruled the kingdom at the end of the play in the Folio version?

Answer: Edgar

Albany wanted Edgar and Kent to rule jointly "you twain rule in this realm". But Kent refused, claiming he had a "journey, sir, shortly to go." Many interpret this as being close to death himself. That left Edgar the next ruler.

The Quarto version of the play ends with the suggestion that it will be Albany who rules as king.
Source: Author Fiachra

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor MotherGoose before going online.
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