Act 2 Scene 2

Question 1

antithesis edmund if not by…

Answer 1

“Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit”

shows his determination to gain power through intelligence since he lacks noble birth.
The antithesis between “birth” and “wit” highlights the conflict between inherited status and personal merit.

Question 2

juxtaposition of a word and intention, I must

Answer 2

“Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.” Edmund’s ambition is blunt and ruthless. The juxtaposition of “legitimate” with his claim reveals his resentment and intent to overthrow inheritance laws.” Yet this is tragic as we will see the problems of splitting inheritance laws.” This side-by-side contrast between what is lawful (legitimacy) and what is unlawful (betrayal, usurpation)

Question 3

plosive b

Answer 3

Edmund explodes with anger at the stigma of illegitimacy. The rhetorical question and harsh repetition of “base” and “bastardy” show his deep resentment and emotional volatility.

Question 4

not vocal method

Answer 4

pocketing the letter” is a dramatic method that shows secrecy and deception. This silent gesture symbolizes Edmund’s cunning and his willingness to hide the truth to manipulate others. It creates dramatic irony because the audience knows about the letters importance.

Question 5

are the old the problem?

Answer 5

“Reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times,”

suggests that old rulers or traditional authority cling to outdated ideas, failing to understand or address new challenges.

Question 6

outburst repetition Gloucester

Answer 6

“O villain, villain, abhorred villain, detested brutish villain.”
The repetition of villain and the piling of insults show how quickly he is convined.
His use of harsh adjectives shows his outburst of emotion and how they are taking over reason.
Turning point where Gloucester turn s on Edgar, shows how lies and misjudgment lead to tragic breakdown of family and order.

Question 7

Gloucester sun and moon

Answer 7

These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us.” — Gloucester uses supernatural imagery to blame chaos on cosmic events. This shows how the old world explains human behaviour through signs and fate, rather than reason. It reflects widespread Elizabethan and Jacobean beliefs in astrology, witchcraft, and magic.

Question 8

Edmund rejecting superstition

Answer 8

“we make guilty of our disasters the sun moon and stars.” “that whoremaster man” is responsible for his own actions.

Question 9

why should he be looked at differently

Answer 9

“My mind as generous and my shape as true.”

He argues that he possesses that make him his legitimate brothers equal. Why should he be denied property and power because he is illegitimate.

Question 10

law of…

Answer 10

Edmund is a victim of the law of primogeniture. traditional method of passing down wealth and property. Primogeniture meant that the first born son inherited all family fortunes and titles and as he is illegitimate he can’t inherit anything as he was born out of wedlock illegal.

“Twelve or fourteen moonshines.”

Question 11

soliliquy shows the d…..

Answer 11

discontented malcontent. Malcontent was a scornful outsider. John Marston’s play, The malcontent established this character as a theatrical type.

Question 12

links between Lear plot and Sub Plot.

Answer 12

Fathers misjudge their children, precipitating their own ruin

Gloucesters swift rejection of Edgar \ Swift rejection of Cordelia
Gloucester taken in by false words and appearance \ so was Lear
Gloucester’s also having inheritance issues
Another innocent and virtuous child is cast off
Gloucester put Edmund in power just as Lear put Goneril and Regan
Edmund alone on stage mirrors Goneril and Regan’s urgent plain speaking