Act 4 Scene 2

Question 1

mocks manliness mild

Answer 1

“Mild husband” – Goneril
AO1: Goneril mocks Albany’s gentleness, suggesting he is weak and unmanly.
AO2: Adjective “mild” shows scornful tone; undermines him.
AO3: Reflects Jacobean anxieties about male authority and dominant women.
AO4: Compare to Lady Macbeth’s criticism of Macbeth’s “milk of human kindness.”
AO5: Critics may see this as emasculation or as strength in Albany’s moral restraint.

Question 2

Albany the woman

Answer 2

Change names at home and give the distaff into my husband’s hands.” – Goneril
AO1: Goneril imagines Albany as the “woman” in the household.
AO2: Symbol “distaff” (female spinning tool) signals reversal of gender roles.
AO3: Threatens traditional patriarchal structures; shocking for Jacobean audience.
AO5: Feminist readings might argue this empowers women; others see it as villainous.

Question 3

kiss

Answer 3

“This kiss, if it durst speak” – Goneril
AO1: Implies a secret sexual betrayal with Edmund.
AO2: Personification of the kiss; suggests passion and danger.
AO3: Adultery deeply immoral in Christian society; adds to her corruption.
AO5: Some may read Goneril’s desire as political ambition masked as romance.

Question 4

albany stands up

Answer 4

You are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face.” – Albany
AO1: Albany’s moral condemnation of Goneril.
AO2: Vivid imagery of worthlessness and natural judgement.
AO3: Reflects shift in Albany’s role — from passive to active moral force.
AO5: Seen as a turning point in Albany’s character arc

Question 5

coward

Answer 5

Cowish terror of his spirits” – Goneril
AO1: Reinforces Albany’s perceived cowardice and emotional weakness.
AO2: Animalistic insult “cowish” and abstract “terror” highlights scorn.
AO3: Gender expectations inverted; woman as aggressor, man as passive.
AO5: Some may view this as commentary on corrupting ambition.

Question 6

tigers

Answer 6

“Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed?” – Albany
AO1: Animalistic metaphor denounces Goneril’s inhumanity.
AO2: Plosive alliteration “Tigers…daughters” shows disgust.
AO3: In Jacobean society, daughters were expected to be meek.
AO5: May be read as a broader critique of unnatural women.

Question 7

evil doesn’t look like evil

Answer 7

“Proper deformity shows not in the fiend…” – Albany
AO1: Evil doesn’t always look evil — theme of deception.
AO2: Oxymoron “proper deformity” captures internal vs. external.
AO3: Important in tragedy: contrast between appearance and reality.
AO5: Reminds us of Iago, Lady Macbeth, Edmund — evil in disguise.

Question 8

form of a woman defends her

Answer 8

“a woman’s shape doth shield thee.” – Albany
AO1: Albany argues Goneril’s evil is hidden by her femininity.
AO2: Use of the word “shield” shows disgust and entrapment.
AO3: Jacobean fears of deceptive women (Eve, witches).
AO5: Patriarchal interpretation: women as source of chaos.

Question 9

believes in Gods

Answer 9

“This shows you are above, you justicers.” – Albany
AO1: Albany appeals to divine justice.
AO2: “Justicers” = rare word for judges; elevates the heavens.
AO3: Reinforces belief in divine retribution.
AO5: Critics may argue Lear’s world offers limited moral resolution.

Question 10

widow

Answer 10

“One way I like this well; but being widow and Gloucester with her…” – Goneril
AO1: She sees Cornwall’s death as a political opportunity.
AO2: Cunning manipulation in her pragmatic tone.
AO3: Widowhood = political freedom in Jacobean context.
AO5: Goneril’s ambition aligns her with characters like Lady Macbeth.

Question 11

albany good

Answer 11

“I live to thank thee for the love thou show’dst the king, and to revenge thine eyes.” – Albany
AO1: Albany vows justice for Gloucester and Lear.
AO2: Juxtaposition of gratitude and vengeance shows his moral growth.
AO3: Reflects the restoration of moral order — tragic justice.
AO5: Could be seen as the voice of poetic justice in the play.