Gloucester Flashcards
What does Gloucester discuss with Kent in 1.1?
The plan to divide the kingdom, he introduces it before Lear even enters.
He also jokes about Edmond’s bastardy which makes him a Machiavelli
Give a quotation of Gloucester joking about Edmond?
“He came somewhat saucily to the world”
“There was good sport in his making”
How is Gloucester comparative with Lear?
They both know little of their children.
They are both tragically blind.
They both display rashness and easy anger
How do Lear and Gloucester’s peripeteia and anagnorisis mirror each other?
They both go from noble to beggar.
Gloucester only sees clearly when he is physically blindness, which is ironic. Until that, he relies on charity and the good will of Poor Tom
How is Gloucester shown to be loyal to Lear?
He pursues him to take shelter from the storm and warns Kent that he has “O’erheard a plot of death upon him”, making an attempt to save Lear’s life
What is an argument against the fact that Gloucester sees more clearly when he is physically blind?
He is fooled in the fact his morale is revived by a failed suicide. Poor Tom convinces him that he survived falling off the cliffs of Dover
What does the failed suicide attempt at Dover teach Gloucester?
To “bear affliction till it do cry out itself”. His morale is revived by Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, even though he doesn’t realise it
What is the audience’s vision when Lear and Gloucester meet at Dover?
Two nobles, one blind and one mad. The audience feel pity and sympathy
How are we notified of Gloucester’s death?
He dies offstage, we are told by Edgar who finally revealed himself as his son
What quotation best sums up Gloucester’s character and his journey through peripeteia and anagnorisis?
“Flaw’d heart burst smilingly”
