Act 5 Scene 1

Question 1

Regan proposal

Answer 1

1. Regan – “You know the goodness I intend upon you.”
   • AO1: Regan’s proposition to Edmund signals the total collapse of moral and social order — she’s a widow openly proposing marriage in a time when female chastity and decorum were prized.
   • AO2: The formal tone (“the goodness I intend”) is laced with irony, as the “goodness” is rooted in jealousy and ambition.
   • AO3: Radical for a Jacobean woman to openly court a man, especially a bastard. Shows the gender inversion that permeates the chaos in the play.
   • AO4: Like Lady Macbeth, Regan oversteps gender roles, leading to ruin.
   • AO5: Feminist critics may read this as Regan seeking power in a patriarchal system; others see it as destructive ambition.

Question 2

Albany’s virtue

Answer 2

2. Albany – “Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant.”
   • AO1: Albany reveals his moral compass — real valour must be rooted in virtue.
   AO2: Antithesis: “honest” vs. “valiant” sets up a moral paradox — can you be brave if you’re not good?
   Tone: Calm, resolute, and virtuous — highlights Albany as a rare voice of reason in a world gone mad.
   • AO3 Albany’s idea reflects Christian stoic values — justice over vengeance.
   • AO4: A foil to Edmund’s Machiavellianism; he acts with conscience.
   • AO5: Some see Albany as too passive; others as the ideal tragic survivor.

Question 3

Edgar’s secret weapon

Answer 3

Edgar – “Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory let the trumpet sound.”
• AO1: This cryptic moment builds dramatic irony — Edgar holds a secret weapon (the letter revealing Goneril’s betrayal).
• AO2: The formal, imperative tone and structure build tension, showing Edgar as increasingly authoritative.
• AO3: He mirrors Kent as a moral agent working behind the scenes.
• AO4: The letter is one of many in King Lear — truth is often revealed through written word.
• AO5: Critics often contrast Edgar’s justice-through-duel with Edmund’s scheming.

Question 4

both sisters love him

Answer 4

4. Edmund – “To both these sisters have I sworn my love, / Each jealous of the other.”
   • AO1: Confession of his duplicity, revealing how completely he manipulates both sisters.
   • AO2: Parallel syntax of “both” and “each” reinforces the dual betrayal.
   • AO3: A pivotal moment in the subplot — Edmund’s downfall begins here.
   • AO4: Parallels Iago in Othello — both exploit others’ love for personal gain.
   • AO5: Some critics view Edmund as a victim of illegitimacy; others as a sociopathic opportunist.